Disability Studies

Disability in Context

The Disability Studies Minor offers a broad liberal arts approach to the study of disability, providing you with knowledge of the historical, social, artistic, literary, legal, educational, philosophical, and political framing of disability.

You will develop a strong interdisciplinary foundation, with emphasis on cultural constructions of disability and the intersections of disability, race, gender, sex, age, class, and other markers of diversity and difference.

You will have the opportunity to enhance this foundation by extending your learning into the community through the senior capstone internship and/or independent research requirement.

Eligibility

There are no special eligibility requirements for this minor.

Disability Studies Curriculum and Courses

The Disability Studies Minor is designed to promote a critical understanding of the theoretical frameworks and societal influences that have shaped the experiences of the disability community in the United States. Students will learn about the rich history of disability activism and cultural practices associated with the movements that spurred the development of the field of disability studies, which is known as “the intellectual branch” of the Disability Rights Movement. (18 semester hours)

• DST 272 Exploring Disability Studies
• DST 375 (Dis)Ability Allies: To be or not to be? Developing Identity and Pride from Practice
• DST 494 Disability in Global and Local Contexts

Students will explore the four core threshold concepts of the Disability Studies Minor:

1. Nothing without us,
2. Disability is a set of cultural and historical movements,
3. Solidarity, not charity; and
4. Disability is a political and intersectional identity.