DSTD 200 Introduction to Critical Disability Studies [GEUS]

Introduction to Critical Disability Studies provides an interdisciplinary introduction to foundational theories and practices within disability studies. Students will explore models of disability and the ways in which society shapes our perceptions of ability and disability.

Credit 3 hrs May not be repeated for additional credit
Grade Mode Normal (A-F) Course Rotation Fall (in-person, occasionally online)

Prerequisites -
Restriction by Major -
Restriction by Class - Undergraduate standing

Rationale for Perspectives on a Diverse World - This course explores a key, yet underexamined, facet of diversity: disability. According to the US Census Bureau, 1 in 5 people have a disability. This includes people of all ages, races, genders, socio-economic backgrounds, and sexual orientations. Despite this prevalence, disability remains stigmatized. In the course, students will explore the ways that society shapes our perceptions of ability and disability. They will explore the ways that valuing certain forms of independence (such as wage-earning instead of caregiving) not only renders some forms of dependence (such as wage-earners reliance on caregivers and social infrastructure) invisible, it makes other forms of dependence (such as needing economic support or disability accommodations) hyper-visible leading to acts of discrimination and institutionalized oppression targeting disabled people. Students will explore the ways that disabled people live, learn, love, create, and organize. In this way, the course meets the learning outcomes for the U.S. Diversity category of the General Education Program.

Equivalent Course(s) -
Course History -
Approved for GEUS 12/2018, New Course 10/2018, effective Fall 2019

Disability Studies, U.S. Diversity (GEUS)

Summer 2024 Course Sections

Fall 2024 Course Sections