Introduction to Disability Studies

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Disability Studies is an academic discipline that explores social categories and lived experiences of disability in order to create a more equitable and accessible world. This course introduces students to the central questions, methods, and debates in this field. Topics include definitions and conceptual models of disability; the history of disabled people and communities; representations of disability in art, literature, and popular culture; and contemporary disability rights and disability justice movements. A central focus of the course will be on ableism–the marginalization and discrimination of disabled people. We will explore how ableism operates structurally and culturally, how it intersects with other forms of oppression, and how we can challenge it in our everyday lives. The course culminates in a student-driven project aimed at increasing access, inclusiveness, and awareness about disability and ableism on campus. Assignments include analytical papers, class presentations, and collaborative projects.