DAN 286 - (Dis)ability: A Creative Laboratory of Self and Society

In this course students can expect to investigate the idea of disability in a multimodal environment of learning and knowledge production.  Students will engage with lecture, discussion, videos, readings, and creative intersectional explorations that expound upon upon how society and individuals construct the meaning of disability. An undercurrent of this course to examine how the pathologizing of the body (at times disability) is linked with several different identity politics and how depathologizing disability is intertwined with deconstructing interconnected systems of oppression. A few specific examples include the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in pathologizing homosexuality, the construction of humanness with notions of intellect and consciousness and problematic racial constructions, and the connection between mental health and homelessness.  Therefore this class intersects disability with race, class, gender, sexuality, and education and has the opportunity for students to make connections to other identity categories. This course welcomes students from all background who are open to exploring ideas regarding ability, identity, and our society.

Satisfies a requirement in the Gender & Sexuality Studies major and minor.
Satisfies a minor requirement in Dance.
Satisfies an interdisciplinary minor requirement in Health and Human Values.
Satisfies a Liberal Studies distribution requirement.
Satisfies a cultural diversity requirement.