Interdisciplinary
Disability Studies (IDS)
Course Descriptions
Students may enroll in individual
courses, DIS 300, 400, 450, 480 and 490 as electives or in the
Concentration in
Interdisciplinary Disability Studies.
For complete information about Interdisciplinary Disability Studies, visit
the coordinator at 201 Corbett Hall, or contact Prof. Elizabeth DePoy at
edepoy@maine.edu,
phone 207/581-1469, or TTY 207/581-1084;
FAX 207/581-1231.
- DIS 300 Disability:
Interaction of Human Diversity and Global Environments
(Previously known as DIS
200)
This course is designed to raise awareness and introduce students to
disability from progressive and contemporary diversity perspectives.
Students are introduced to an overview of disability history, theory, and
current thinking in the field of disability studies before focusing on
historic and current terms for population descriptors including normal,
abnormal, crippled, deficient, impaired, challenged, and diverse. Students
scrutinize the variation in characteristics and theoretical explanations
that are grouped to form the disability population and examine the
reciprocal interaction of disability populations with economic, physical,
social, political, cultural, and spiritual environments. Finally, students
identify how disability is conceptualized differently in varied contexts
and analyze how disability fits within contemporary discourse of human
diversity.
Prerequisite: None. Satisfies the General Education Population &
Environment requirement.
Credits:
3
This course examines disability history, theory, and current thinking in the field of disability studies. Through interdisciplinary interchange and
experiential learning, students will explore the lived experience of
people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan, examine
and debate ethical dilemmas related to disability, and analyze implicit
disability related values reflected in diverse academic and professional
fields. Students will apply their learning to their own disciplines.
Prerequisites: None. Satisfies the General Education Ethics Requirement
and General Education Cultural Diversity & International Perspectives
requirement.
Credits: 3
- DIS 450 Disability:
Population-Environment Diversity
Consistent with contemporary literature and
research in the interdisciplinary field of disability studies,
students will examine and analyze disability as an interactive
disjuncture between the environment, the human body and population
groups. Students will analyze how environments shape and are shaped
by disability and will focus on realigning bodies, populations, and
environments to advance full participation, reduce personal and
environmental harm, and
preserve just and safe environments. Included will be natural,
virtual, service, economic, social, policy, and community
environments across the globe.
Prerequisites: None. Satisfies the General Education Population & Environment
Requirement.
Credits: 3
- DIS 470 Interdisciplinary Project In Disability
Studies
The disability project provides the
opportunity for students to apply knowledge about disability to the
actualization of a disability-related project in the student's area
of interest. With guidance from the DIS 470 instructor and the
student's advisor, students may participate in ongoing projects or
identify new disability-related areas for project activity. Students
may take this course to complete the requirements for the disability
concentration or to work on with guidance on a project of interest.
The course provides the opportunity for collaboration across
disciplines.
Prerequisites: DIS 400 & 450, or by permission.
Credits: 1-6 (depending on requirements and/or interest).
- DIS 480 Independent Project in Disability Studies
Individual work on a topic or problem selected by the student. Primarily
for students in the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Disability Studies.
Prerequisite: DIS 400 or by
permission of instructor
Credits: 1-6
- DIS 490 Selected Topics in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies
Faculty and students identify and work on selected topics and/or
problems related to the area of disability. Focuses on related literature,
research, services/supports and materials.
Credits: 1-6
Graduate IDS Course
Descriptions:
- DIS 600
Contemporary Disability Theory
Critically examines
historical and contemporary context of
disability and analyzes the emergence of disability as a
contemporary category of human diversity. Identification and
analysis of the political, social, economic, intellectual, and
technological trends relevant to disability rights. Analyzes
universal principles as the next paradigmatic framework for the
promotion of socially just community responses to diversity and
difference.
Prerequisite: DIS 400
Credits: 3
Examination and analysis of the service,
support, and community contexts in which people with disabilities
live, work, and participate. Distinction between and analysis of the
concepts of accommodation and universal design/access. Critical
examination of service and community responses to diversity and
difference. Collaborative leadership strategies to improve inclusion
and social justice for all people including those with disabilities.
Prerequisite: DIS 600
or by permission of instructor
Credits: 3
Analyze the historical context of current
disability policy. Critically examine the major federal legislative
policies that guide disability responses. Apply, compare, and
contrast multiple models of policy analysis to the examination of
policy and identification of needed policy change and policy
advocacy.
Prerequisite: None
Credits: 3
- DIS 650 Research
Seminar in Disability Studies
Provides the opportunity to apply knowledge
and skill of design and methods to inquiry related to disability,
diversity, and universal principles. Examination of current
literature and scholarship and formulation of research questions and
methods to address disability, diversity, and related inquiry.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor
Credits: 3
- DIS 670
Interdisciplinary Project in Disability Studies I
Opportunity to apply theory and research
knowledge about disability to leadership in disability scholarship,
policy, and/or related practice in the student's area of interest.
Design and conduct an independent or collaborative project.
Prerequisite: DIS 400 or
permission of instructor
Credits: 1-6
- DIS 671
Interdisciplinary Project in Disability Studies II
Opportunity for students to continue to
apply theory and research knowledge about disability to leadership
in disability scholarship, policy, and/or related practice in the
student's area of interest. With guidance from the DIS 671
instructor and the student's advisor, students will continue and
complete the independent or collaborative project initiated in DIS
670.
Prerequisite: DIS 670
Credits: 3
- DIS 680 Independent Study in Disability Studies
Individual work on a disability
related topic or problem selected by the student and
approved by a Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies faculty member.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor
Credits: 1-6
- DIS 690 Selected Topics in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies
Advanced study of topics and/or problems related to disability studies.
Focuses on related literature, research, and services/supports.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor
Credits: 1-6
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