Psychological & Brain Sciences 256 - Intro to Disability Studies
Fall
2026
01
3.00
Ashley Woodman
M W F 1:25PM 2:15PM
UMass Amherst
17228
Tobin Hall room 304
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.
Seats are reserved for DDHS (Developmental Disabilities and Human Services) students, remaining seats open to Freshmen and Sophomores of any major.