Since the last few decades of the 20th century the disability rights movement and the field of disability studies have forcefully critiqued the legal social and cultural concepts behind what are considered normal bodies and minds. On this basis they have successfully challenged the systems of oppression privilege and power have perpetuated inequality based on disability. The result has been a profound shift in attitudes and growing pressure on states around the world to advance the emancipation empowerment and inclusion of their citizens with disabilities. In this course students will gain an understanding of the different approaches and arguments that have advanced disability rights as well as recognize continuities and differences between disability rights movements in different parts of the world. They will also examine connections to and tensions between disability rights and other human rights movements such as civil rights women’s rights and LGBTQI rights. The course will equip students to develop informed positions about disability in our society today and to articulate their perspectives through critical essays multimedia projects or experiential projects.
