2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP2041 Disability Studies: An Introduction

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Professor Roger Slee
Email: R.Slee@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

At least 20 credits Social Science at Level 1.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The way we think about disability, and the way we treat disabled people in society, has changed dramatically. Disability was once viewed simply as a 'medical' or 'therapeutic' issue but is now an issue of equality and human rights. The first part of the module explores new ways of thinking about disability and focuses on understanding 'social models' of disability rather than individual models. The contributions of disabled people themselves are important and you will have the opportunity to read material that is highly practical and political in addition to the academic literature. The main part of the course focuses on the ways in which disabled people are discriminated against in contemporary societies and what can be done about this - from debates on abortion and euthanasia, film and television, education and employment rights, to sexual relationships and parenting children. Understanding this critical approach to disability studies has major implications for policy making, equal rights, human resource management, and the development of an inclusive global society. The module is taught through a combination of weekly learning units and multi-media presentations; plus nine seminars where you can discuss the issues and key readings in a smaller group. The Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds is regarded as the world leader for research and teaching in this field and the course is backed up by extensive and up-to-date learning materials, the vast majority of which are presented for you online.

Objectives

Through lectures, seminars, online learning, varied forms of assessment, and monitoring of progress, students will:- develop a range of cognitive skills (the ability to critically judge, interpret and evaluate evidence, and appreciate the complexity and diversity of society and social situations):
* develop discipline specific skills (the ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions, the capacity to analyse, assess and communicate empirical information
* an ability to show cultural awareness, social empathy for social groups and demonstrate an awareness of the personal and political factors implicated in the relationships between professionals, institutions, social policies, individuals and groups)
* develop transferable and personal skills (learning and study skills, written and oral communication skills, information retrieval skills, application of social theory to 'real world' social contexts, awareness of disability as a social and political category).

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically evaluate the different models and theories of disability that inform responses to disabled people

2. Apply these models and theories in order to explain the situation of disabled people, and the way they are represented in contemporary culture

3. Demonstrate an understanding of disabled people’s experiences in relation to issues such as sexuality and parenting, education and employment

4. Evaluate the importance of disabled people’s activism in enabling positive change.


Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

1. Communicate complex information, including concepts, verbally and in written form

2. Present complex information on social issues verbally

3. Apply well-defined and targeted information seeking and filtering capabilities

4. Employ social research practices that allow for critical reflection and thinking about own approaches

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	11	1.00	11.00
seminars	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Weekly open-door sessions. Assessment seminar session in the final week of the module dedicated to discussion of essay. Materials are also posted online to assist students with preparation for their assessable assignment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	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: 27/03/2024

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