Introduction to Disability Studies

Disability Studies is an interdisciplinary field which critiques mainstream models of disability and health. Disability Studies is invested both in centering the experiences and knowledge of people with disabilities, and in critiquing systems of power and oppression. This course introduces key Disability Studies theories and explores their applications to critical social work practice and broader social justice work. Topics include: the social model of disability, Mad Studies, embodiment theories, accessibility, Disability Justice, and disability activism. The course will take an intersectional approach to the study of disability. Course materials will be multimedia and will include academic texts as well as videos, blog posts, art, and activist work. Class sessions will include close readings and discussions of course materials, student facilitation, and short lectures dissecting key concepts. Course assignments may include online accessibility audits, applications of course concepts to critique of films or television, and translation of Disability Studies theories into easily digestible formats for an audience of peers. Please note that the workload and format of this course have been adjusted from the past year in light of current global crises – please contact the instructor if you have questions.