Critical Disability Studies in Education

Course Description

Introduction to critical disability studies in education through different cultural and socio-political lenses and ways of knowing. As a MAC Global Engagement and Intercultural Learning competency course, the course explores range of epistemologies and experiences of disability as identity, culture, and social construction, in US and global contexts of education.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

Course Objectives (MAC)

  • Describe dynamic elements of different cultures.

  • Explain how similarities, differences, and connections among different groups of people or global systems affect one another over time and place.

Course-specific Objectives

  • Describe the evolution of the broader field of disability studies in the U.S. and globally.

  • Identify the key tenets of critical disability studies.

  • Critically examine the historical, sociological, and philosophical factors that shape disability justice in education in the U.S. and in comparison with non-Western frameworks.

  • Synthesize arguments related to ableism, disablism, normalcy, embodiment, what it means to be human, how knowledge is defined, crip work, and other key concepts in critical disability studies.

  • Employ liberatory and creative processes through discussion, artistic expression, and performance, with connections to individual praxis and community action.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure

Percentage/Points

Reflection

25%

Knowledge Creation and Wisdom Share

35%

Critical Interpretation

25%

Participation

15%

Grading Scale

Percentage

Letter Grade

94-100

A

90-93.99

A-

87-89.99

B+

84-86.99

B

80-83.99

B-

77-79.99

C+

74-76.99

C

71-73.99

C-

Below 73

F

Attendance/Participation:

Students are expected to attend class/participate consistently and actively engage in all parts of the course. Participation is assessed through all course activities. Multiple, consecutive absences can impact the final grade.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Students are not required to purchase any materials for this course.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.