ANTH 376 A: Anthropology of Disability

Winter 2025
Meeting:
MW 8:30am - 10:20am / DEN 112
SLN:
10338
Section Type:
Lecture
Instructor:
COUNTS TOWARD MAGH
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

Meeting Time: Monday & Wednesday – 8:30am-10:20am
Location: DEN 112
SLN: 10338

Course Description:
In this course we will look at disability from a cultural perspective—how we talk about disabilities, how media portrays people with disabilities, how the intersection of race/ethnicity, religion and gender impact disability, what are our beliefs about being disabled... We will not focus on one particular disability rather we will explore the discourse surrounding the identity marker of ‘disability’.

Through readings, watching films, class discussions and writing assignments it is my goal that each student will end the quarter with a better understanding of the language we use and perceptions we have regarding people with disabilities.

Objectives:
By the end of the quarter students should be able to:

  1. Articulate the cultural norms surrounding the discourse of disability and be able to complicate/problematize those norms.
  2. Identify the synergy of multiple identities.
  3. Identify the nuanced nature of the culture of disability in practice not only as theory.

Student Expectations:

  • Come to class with the necessary materials.
  • Read assigned text(s) and create discussion questions prior to class.
  • Actively participate in all class discussions and activities.
  • Respect classmates’ ideas, perspectives and opinions.
Catalog Description:
Introduces anthropological perspectives on disability. Considers disability as produced through the interaction of bodily impairments with social structures, political economies, cultural norms and values, individual and group identities, institutional orders, medical practices, assistive technologies, and other factors. Considers ethnographic studies of disability in international as well as U.S. settings.
Department Requirements Met:
Medical Anthropology & Global Health Option
GE Requirements Met:
Diversity (DIV)
Social Sciences (SSc)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
December 18, 2024 - 5:40 pm