Disability Studies (DSTD)

Introduction to Disability Studies provides an overview of the interdisciplinary field of critical disability studies and “crip” theory. Disability studies focuses on the ideology of ableism, or the political, cultural, economic, and social privilege of non-impaired bodies and minds. Course texts and conversations take an intersectional approach to the question of normalcy, examining the ways in which “defect” and “impairment” have been mapped onto other marginalized social categories.

An introduction to the biological, psychological, and social determinants of psychopathology and maladaptive behaviors. Causes, diagnosis, and treatment of various mental disorders such as: schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, childhood disorders, sexual dysfunctions, and other conditions covered in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Junior or senior standing required.

This course takes up the question of race and politics through the lens of critical theory, legal theory, and political philosophies of race and difference. Prerequisite: POLS 2000 or AFAM 1211 or CHST 1116. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections

A social interactionist approach to the study of deviant behavior; an examination of the process whereby society defines and labels an act as deviant, trends in deviance theory, deviant careers, and the mechanisms involved in confronting the label.

This course will cover the history of the disability rights and justice movement. Particular attention will be paid to analyzing the material and discursive goals of the current disability justice movement. Students will learn about "crip wisdom, "cripepistemology," and "crip care webs"-to name a few. Further, this class will analyze the disability justice movement in an intersectional fashion. This class will cover invisible and visible disability identities, including neurodivergent disabilities. Intersections include disability and capitalism, disability and mutual aid, disability and trans/LGBTQIA movements for justice, and disability and the abolitionist movement of the carceral state.