2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP5414M Debates on Disability Theory and Research

30 creditsClass Size: 22

Module manager: Angharad Beckett
Email: a.e.beckett@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Module replaces

SLSP5215 Theories and Definitions of Disability (Core Module for the PG Disability Studies Programme).

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

a. critically evaluate different research strategies and evidence with regard to current definitional, theoretical and policy debates within the disability studies field;

b. understand and explain the significance of the key concepts, definitions and debates, and their relationship to different research methodologies, data collection strategies and outcomes with reference to current issues and concerns within the disability studies field;

c. demonstrate and articulate the implications of different theoretical perspectives and research strategies for policy and practical outcomes for disabled people and related groups such as informal 'carers' and professionals working in the disability area.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate the following transferable skills:
a) research and reading skills (students are required to research, read and summarise material from a variety of sources: books, articles, internet, newspapers and other media).
b) IT skills (students are required to access and download material from the internet)
c) writing skills (students are required to produce informal and formal assignments)
d) referencing skills (students are required to use academic references in their written work)
d) debating skills (students are required to discuss and debate controversial issues in weekly seminars)
e) presentational skills (students are required to present a relevant topic for discussion at weekly seminars)
f) formal and informal networking skills (students are encouraged to network and liaise with each other during a specified period built into the module timetable).

Syllabus

The module will examine and critically evaluate recent debates and developments within social research on disability. This will include discussions of positivist, interpretative and 'emancipatory' methodologies, associated data collection and analytical strategies, and their significance for doing disability research.

Key issues for evaluation and discussion include:
- the various definitions of, and approaches to, impairment and disability: medical, psychological and socio/political;
- theoretical perspectives: such as functionalism, role theory, interactionism, 'radical' theory, and disability as an equal opportunities and policy issue.

Debates about the role of language and the social construction of dependence with reference to cultural perceptions of disability and identity formation are also discussed. The historical development of the 'disability' category will be examined.

This will include an exploration of analyses of the impact of ancient myths and prejudices, social policy and disabled people since the seventeenth century, industrialization, charity and the welfare state on contemporary cultural representations of disability and disabled people. An analysis of disability in a majority world context will provide a comparative perspective.

A major focus is the emergence of the 'social model' of disability and its impact on research methodologies, data collection strategies, and policy and practical outcomes. Emergent and on going critiques from advocates of feminist and post-modernist perspectives will be evaluated and discussed.

Attention will also focus on the debates surrounding the role of impairment, the body and subjective experiences within disability studies and disability research. The contextualisation of disability theory and research within other forms of structural disadvantage, such as social class, 'race'/ethnicity, gender and sexuality will be explored.

The general aim is to provide students with an in depth knowledge and understanding of the salience and applicability of current theoretical debates within the context of disability studies and disability research, and their relevance to the analysis of current and future policy developments in disability and related fields.

In so doing this module provides a firm foundation from which students can progress to study specific topics within the disability and welfare policy areas and the range of research methodologies and data collection strategies available to study them.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Meetings	11	0.50	5.50
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Seminar	11	2.00	22.00
Tutorial	2	0.50	1.00
Private study hours			249.50
Total Contact hours			50.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Independent research, reading, seminar presentation, formative and essay production.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

2 Individual tutorials, seminar presentation and participation, informal discussions, formative essays.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Either 1 x 6,000 word essay OR 2 x 3,000 word essays OR 1 x 3,000 word essay and 2 x 1,500 word book reviews	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 27/09/2016

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