American Studies 244 - Media Representation of Disabilities

This course serves as an introductory exploration of ability and disability in media (e.g., film, television, comedy, politics, art, and other cultural forms and representations). It asks: how do we define disability in the media? How is disability portrayed? And what resources do we need to properly analyze disability representation? Together, students investigate: trend in how media has represented individuals with disabilities over time and across age levels, how these portrayals influence individual’s experience and understanding of disability and societal approach to inclusion, access, and diversity, and the dynamics of authenticity, power, and privilege. Enrollment limited to 20.