Psychological & Brain Sciences 256 - Intro to Disability Studies
Fall
2025
01
3.00
Ashley Woodman
W 4:00PM 6:30PM
UMass Amherst
66606
Holdsworth Hall room 203
awoodman@umass.edu
This course examines the social, historical, cultural, and political construction of categories of disability. Through a wide variety of texts and cultural examples, we will study various meanings of disability. In addition, the class will explore three broad topics: 1) the Disability Rights movements in the United States and internationally (including the current Neurodiversity and Mad Pride movements), 2) different models and theories of disability (including how each intersects with race, gender, class, and sexuality), and 3) how disability identities and cultures are represented in creative media.
This class will meet in Holdsworth 203. Break-out sessions will be held in both Holdsworth 203 and Holdsworth 305.