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CRITICAL DISABILITY STUDIES MINOR�(24-30 CREDITS)

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WHAT IS CRITICAL DISABILITY STUDIES?

Core lessons:

Disability is part of the human experience
Different communities hold different values about disability
Disabled people share communities and history
Universal design: The world can be designed to promote access and justice

Let’s start with a definition. When we say Critical Disability Studies, we are referring to the academic topic that brings together a wide range of of fields, including the humanities, social sciences, performing arts, science, business, and design. All of these fields explore disability as an aspect of the human experience. We go beyond understanding disability as a medical issue; instead we think about the ways society often marginalizes disabled people. Societies hold different views and stereotypes about disability, some that are good and some that are bad. We learn that disability can be a powerful source of pride and identity, with a long history. We also learn that we can help make the world more just and equitable for disabled people, not only by changing peoples’ attitudes, but also by using the principles of universal design to build objects , digital technologies, and buildings to allow for full participation regardless of ability.

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MINOR AT A GLANCE

Three required classes

DISA 330 – Critical Disability Studies (5 credits)

DISA 350 – Topics in Critical Disability Studies (3-5 credits)

DISA 450 – Capstone in Critical Disability Studies (5 credits)

Three additional electives

Ranging from 3-5 credits each

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DISA 330 - CRITICAL DISABILITY STUDIES

Critical Disability Studies Concepts

Community Identity and Culture

Universal design principles

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DISA 350 - TOPICS IN CRITICAL DISABILITY STUDIES

Apply fundamental principles to various sub-topics:

Film studies
Dance and performing arts
Comic books
Greek mythology
Sexuality
Recreations
Business

DISA 350 can be repeated as elective

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DISA 450 – CAPSTONE IN CRITICAL DISABILITY STUDIES

Small Cohort of CDS Minors

Reflect on previous courses

Create an original research project

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THREE ELECTIVES

Stories of Disability in the World (DISA 201)

Communication, Identity, and Difference (COMM 260)

Disability, Diversity, and the Mass Media (DIAD 205)

Elementary American Sign Language sequence (ASLC 101, 102, and 103)

Disability, Individuals, and Systems (HSP 443)

Religion and Disability (REL 330)

Education, Culture, Equity (SPED 310)

Feminist Disability Studies (WGSS 367)

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ALTERNATIVE ELECTIVES

Take a second DISA 350 – Topics in Critical Disability

Take an independent study

Do an internship

Another class not on our list (with approval)

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WHAT TO DO NOW?

Fill out the information form below
Reach out for advisement at icds@wwu.edu
Delair the minor!

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GET INVOLVED

Join the Disability Studies and Action Collaborative (open to everyone)

If you want to help developing the minor, join the curriculum committee

Join our mailing list (see below)

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JOIN THE STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

Group of students working on disability issues and community building
Meets twice a month
Paid leadership positions
Contact icds@wwu.edu

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GIVE US FEEDBACK

What excites you about the minor?
What questions do you have?
What problems do you notice?

We will take your feedback and incorporate it into our final proposal for the minor or build it into our program development going forward.