Disability Studies in Education: Critical Perspectives on Research, Policy, and Practice
This course examines the social meaning and material consequences of disability in education and their impact on educational opportunities for students labeled with disability. It explores theoretical and epistemological differences between Disability Studies in Education and traditional special education and divided approaches to research and practice, examining how disability intersects with other identities across U.S. P-12 and postsecondary contexts. Course includes lectures, student-facilitated discussions and presentations, in-class activities, and presentations by community partners/families. Content draws on work by multiply marginalized disabled scholars, family perspectives, and children and youth labeled with disability.
Topics
- · Apply an understanding of the epistemological, ontological, and thus theoretical differences between DSE and traditional special education to research, policy, and practice in educational contexts; · Identify implications for educational research, P-12 educational practice, teacher education, and post-secondary education, from a DSE lens; · Critique the categories of the "normal" student and "regular" education, and analyze the construct of “normalcy” and how it operates in schools; · Apply successful strategies for teachers who practice anti-ableist and culturally sustaining teaching methods; · Consider ways in which DSE can create transformative and more equitable educational contexts for all students through the completion of a final project in individual areas of professional interest and/or research.
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027