Interdisciplinary Disability Studies (IDS) - Course Descriptions

Students may enroll in individual courses, DIS 300, 400, 450, 480 and 490 as electives or in the Minor Interdisciplinary Disability Studies.

For complete information about Interdisciplinary Disability Studies, visit the coordinator at 201 Corbett Hall, or contact Prof. Stephen Gilson at stephen.gilson@umit.maine.edu, phone 207/581-1263, or TTY 207/581-1084; FAX 207/581-1231.

Undergraduate IDS Course Descriptions:

DIS 300 Disability: Interaction of Human Diversity and Global Environment 
This course is designed to raise awareness and introduce students to disability from progressive and contemporary diversity perspectives. Students are introduced to an overview of disability history, theory, and current thinking in the field of disability studies before focusing on historic and current terms for population descriptors including normal, abnormal, crippled, deficient, impaired, challenged, and diverse. Students scrutinize the variation in characteristics and theoretical explanations that are grouped to form the disability population and examine the reciprocal interaction of disability populations with economic, physical, social, political, cultural, and spiritual environments. Finally, students identify how disability is conceptualized differently in varied contexts and analyze how disability fits within contemporary discourse of human diversity.
Prerequisite: None. Satisfies the General Education Population & Environment requirement.
Credits: 3

DIS 400 Disability as Diversity I
This course critically examines contemporary disability theory and locates it within the larger discourse on diversity. Through interdisciplinary interchange and experiential learning, students will explore the lived experience of people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan, examine and debate ethical dilemmas related to disability, and analyze implicit disability related values reflected in diverse academic and professional fields. Students will apply their learning to their own areas of interest and scholarship.
Prerequisites: None. Satisfies the General Education Ethics Requirement and General Education Cultural Diversity & International Perspectives requirement.
Credits: 3

DIS 450 Disability: Population—Environment Diversity
Consistent with contemporary literature and research in the interdisciplinary field of disability studies, students will examine and analyze disability as an interactive disjuncture between the environment, the human body and population groups. Students will analyze how environments shape and are shaped by disability and will focus on realigning bodies, populations, and environments to advance full participation, reduce personal and environmental harm, and preserve just and safe environments. Included will be natural, virtual, service, economic, social, policy, and community environments across the globe.
Prerequisites: None. Satisfies the General Education Population and the Environment Requirement.
Credits: 3

DIS 470 Interdisciplinary Project In Disability Studies
The disability project provides the opportunity for students to apply knowledge about disability to the actualization of a disability-related project in the student’s area of interest. With guidance from the DIS 470 instructor and the student’s advisor, students may participate in ongoing projects or identify new disability-related areas for project activity. Students may take this course to complete the requirements for the disability studies concentration or to work with guidance on a project of interest. The course provides the opportunity for collaboration across disciplines.
Prerequisites: DIS 400 & 450, or by permission.
Credits: 1-6 (depending on requirements and/or interest).

DIS 480 Independent Project in Disability Studies
Individual work on a topic or problem selected by the student. Primarily for students in the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Disability Studies.
Prerequisite: DIS 400 or by permission of instructor
Credits: 1-6

DIS 490 Selected Topics in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies
Faculty and students identify and work on selected topics and/or problems related to the area of disability. Focuses on related literature, research, services/supports and materials.
Credits: 1-6

Graduate IDS Course Descriptions:

DIS 500 Contemporary Disability Theory
Critically examines historical and contemporary context of disability and analyzes the emergence of disability as a contemporary category of human diversity. Identification and analysis of the political, social, economic, intellectual, and technological trends relevant to disability rights. Analyzes universal principles as the next paradigmatic framework for the promotion of socially just community responses to diversity and difference.
Prerequisite: DIS 400
Credits: 3

DIS 520 Disability: Advanced Interaction of Human Diversity and Global Environments
Examination and analysis of the service, support, and community contexts in which people with disabilities live, work, and participate. Distinction between and analysis of the concepts of accommodation and universal design/access. Critical examination of service and community responses to diversity and difference. Collaborative leadership strategies to improve inclusion and social justice for all people including those with disabilities.
Prerequisite: None
Credits: 3

DIS 530 Disability Policy
Analyze the historical context of current disability policy. Critically examine the major federal legislative policies that guide disability responses. Apply, compare, and contrast multiple models of policy analysis to the examination of policy and identification of needed policy change and policy advocacy.
Prerequisite: None
Credits: 3

DIS 550 Research Seminar in Disability Studies
Provides the opportunity to apply knowledge and skill of design and methods to inquiry related to disability, diversity, and universal principles. Examination of current literature and scholarship and formulation of research questions and methods to address disability, diversity, and related inquiry.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Credits: 3

DIS 670 Graduate Practicum in Disability Studies
Opportunity to apply theory and research knowledge about disability to leadership in disability scholarship, policy, and/or related practice in the student’s area of interest. Design and conduct an independent or collaborative project.
Prerequisite: DIS 400 or permission of instructor
Credits: 1-6

DIS 671 Interdisciplinary Project in Disability Studies II
Opportunity for students to continue to apply theory and research knowledge about disability to leadership in disability scholarship, policy, and/or related practice in the student’s area of interest. With guidance from the DIS 671 instructor and the student’s advisor, students will continue and complete the independent or collaborative project initiated in DIS 670.
Prerequisite: DIS 670
Credits: 3

DIS 680 Independent Study in Disability Studies
Individual work on a disability related topic or problem selected by the student and approved by a Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies faculty member.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Credits: 1-6

DIS 690 Selected Topics in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies
Advanced study of topics and/or problems related to disability studies. Focuses on related literature, research, and services/supports.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Credits: 1-6