Disability Studies (DS)
Courses
DS 2301. TOPICS IN DISABILITY STUDIES. 3 Hours.
Special topics of interest in the field of Disability Studies. May be repeated for credit when the topic changes.
DS 3302. DISABILITY & ART. 3 Hours.
Explores the many connections between disability and art, including both art created by people with disabilities and the wide variety of artistic representations about disability. Examines the purposes of art-making by people with disabilities: for therapeutic reasons, as a means of self-expression, to achieve professional goals, or as an act of activism. Investigates historical depictions of disability in art as well as art's role as a visual voice for the disability rights movement. Offered previously as DS 3321; credit will only be granted once.
DS 3307. HISTORY OF DISABILITY. 3 Hours.
Examines the history of ideas about disability, the historical lives of people with disabilities, and the history of disability policy. The growth of asylums, the rise of the eugenics movement, a historical look at freak shows, the impact of industrialization on experiences of disability, the evolution of special education, the role of ideas about disability in colonialism, the historical treatment of disabled veterans, and the development of the disability rights movement. Geographic focus will vary. Offered as HIST 3307 and DS 3307; credit will only be granted once. Prerequisite: HIST 1311 and HIST 1312.
DS 3312. DISABILITY & SOCIAL WORK. 3 Hours.
Examines major themes in disability and social work. Topics include basic understandings of disability, lived experiences of people with disabilities, legal and policy perspectives, working with adults and children with a variety of disabilities, history of disability policy and disability rights, disability advocacy, and resources in the community, among others. Offered as DS 3312 and SOCW 3312; credit will only be granted in one department.
DS 3321. TOPICS IN DISABILITY STUDIES. 3 Hours.
Special topics of interest in the field of disability studies. May be repeated for credit when the topic changes.
DS 3327. CYBORGS AND PROSTHETICS. 3 Hours.
Explores the history, theories, and evolving representations of prosthetics, bionics, cyborgism, and the post-human. Investigates the origins and development of the prosthetics industry, historical experiences of prosthetics users, and cultural depictions and debates about human-technology interactions. Offered as DS 3327 and HIST 4327 and previously as DS 3321 and HIST 4388; credit will only be granted once.
DS 3331. RESEARCH IN DISABILITY STUDIES. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the theories and methods that disability studies scholars use to conduct research and present their findings in written and oral form. Recommended: HIST 3307 or DS 3321.
DS 3346. DISABILITY IN MASS MEDIA. 3 Hours.
Explores how mass media frames disability and neurodiversity for the general public. Focuses on issues related to disability and mass media representation, including journalism, TV, film, advertising, photography, documentary, video games, and the Internet. Topics may include media models of representation, inspiration porn, disability blogs, accessible media, and disabled mimicry in TV and film, among others. Offered as DS 3346 and COMM 3346; credit will be granted in only one department.
DS 3355. UNIVERSAL DESIGN & ACCESSIBILITY IN THE PERFORMING ARTS. 3 Hours.
Explores the principles of Universal Design using the performing arts as a case study: creating environments, events, buildings, and products to accommodate the broadest spectrum of human ability, size, age, and other characteristics. Investigates how to put into practice the accessibility guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Performing is not required. Offered as THEA 3355 and DS 3355; credit will only be granted in one department.
DS 4191. CONFERENCE COURSE. 1 Hour.
Directed independent study for the advanced undergraduate. A close examination of a chosen topic through research and/or reading; format designed by instructor and student. Course may be repeated for credit once with a change in faculty. Prerequisite: Prior completion of an organized course with the intended conference faculty member, plus prior approval of the instructor and the director of the minor.
DS 4291. CONFERENCE COURSE. 2 Hours.
Directed independent study for the advanced undergraduate. A close examination of a chosen topic through research and/or reading; format designed by instructor and student. Course may be repeated for credit once with a change in faculty. Prerequisite: Prior completion of an organized course with the intended conference faculty member, plus prior approval of the instructor and the director of the minor.
DS 4391. CONFERENCE COURSE. 3 Hours.
Directed independent study for the advanced undergraduate. A close examination of a chosen topic through research and/or reading; format designed by instructor and student. Course may be repeated for credit once with a change in faculty. Prerequisite: permission from the director of the Minor in Disability Studies.
DS 4395. DISABILITY STUDIES INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.
Supervised internship in which students apply the academic skills they have acquired in Disability Studies courses by working in a related non-profit or business environment. Prerequisite: HIST 3307 or 3 hours of core disability studies courses; permission of the instructor.