Disability Studies

Opportunities are available in a wide variety of areas, such as teaching, research, policy analysis in various levels of government, the non-profit sector, the health care sector, the tourism sector, etc. 

Introduction to Disability Studies I This course addresses definitions of and approaches to disability, and the differences as a result of history and cultures. In addition, the course examines the ways in which disability is constructed in societies - including the media, workplaces, service provision, families, and environmental barriers. This course is designed to be of particular interest to people with disabilities, people with interest in providing disability services, educators, caregivers, therapists, and all people with an interest in disability issues.

Theorizing Disability Prior to the 1970s, the concept of disability was centred on individual impairments and people with disabilities were "othered" because of their difference from ableist norms. Over the last three decades, disability activists and theorists have sought to shift the focus from a medical model to a social model. Within the social model, external obstacles are regarded as disabling, rather than non-conformist bodies. This move has had a powerful impact on a disability theorization and political action. The social model of disability has much in common with critical analyses that deconstruct and denaturalize race and  gender. In this course, we will consider the implications of the social model of theorizing disability, examine the critiques, and explore the alternatives.

Disabilities, Sexualities, and Rights Links between living and disabilities and risk of disadvantage or discrimination  are clear, yet focus on equality, employment access, services, and physical health needs may render invisible or subjugate issues of sexual health, identity, and expression of people with disabilities. Taught from critical disability, feminist, and queer perspectives, this course embraces social models and explores human rights implications of challenging bio-medical views of sexualities and disabilities, focusing on how people with disabilities themselves embrace their sexualities and/or are prevented from doing so. Recognising and balancing complex and sometimes apparently competing self-identities and needs is integral from a human rights perspective.

• Embodied Subjects
• Disability Studies Seminar

DIS-1003(3) Introduction to Disability Studies I
DIS-1004(3) Introduction to Disability Studies II
RHET-1102(3) Academic Writing: Social Sciences or other section (if required)
6 credit hours Humanities
15-18 credit hours Electives
NOTE: This sample first year is representative of the courses you may take. For many of our programs, you may choose another set of courses and still be well on your way to a degree. Also, for most programs you do not have to take 30 credit hours (five full courses) in your first year.