Disability and Society
SYA 4930, Sec. 14BG
Fall 2014
T 8:30-10:25 and R 9:35-10:25
AND 134
“Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both”
C. Wright Mills
Instructor: Morgan Sanchez
E-mail:
Office: TUR 3309
Office Hours: 12:50-1:50 M/W/F
Telephone: 727-207-5948 (9am-5pm)
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to examine the applicability of basic sociological concepts to the experience of disability; and to examine the experience of disability as a means to a better understanding of the nature of social life. The study of disability from a sociological standpoint heightens our understanding of the adaptability of human beings and the commonalities of social life that exist, and persist, despite the presence of biological differences. Such study also encourages critical evaluation of the impact of social systems, institutions, and professional understandings of disability, and our own assumptions about the disability experience, on the well-being of people with biological differences and members of their families.
Required Materials
Simon, R. 2003. Riding the Bus with My Sister: A True Life Journey. New York: Plume/Penguin. (ISBN# 0-452-28455-4)
Jamison, Kay Redfield. 1995. Unquiet Minds: A Memoir of Moods and Madness. New York: Vintage Books (ISBN# 0-679-44374-6)
Instructor Course Objectives
(1) To develop knowledge and understandings of sociological themes within our society from various sociological perspectives.
(2) To foster intellectual curiosity about disability and inequalities in the world around us.
(3) To engage in shared, cooperative learning.
(4) To encourage further development of information literacy skills such as essay writing as well as properly quoting and referencing secondary materials and sources.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students will:
(1) Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological terminology, concepts, and theories involving disability.
(2) Students will discover the relationship between having a biological differences (or sharing a close social tie with someone who has such a difference) and one’s understandings of the disability experience.
(3) Students will engage in shared, cooperative learning.
(4) Students will be able to demonstrate information literacy skills, communicate knowledge, and ideas about disability clearly and effectively in written and oral forms appropriate to the discipline.
Requirements
· Exams: There will be two in-class exams. During the first week, students will take an online survey to determine the type of exam: essay or a combination of essay and multiple choice. Majority vote determines the type. Each exam will be worth 10 points toward the final course grade, for a total of 20 points.
· Journal: Students will be required to keep a journal during this course. In this journal students will make entries at least twice each week (a minimum of 20 entries). Each journal entry will be worth 1 point, for a total of 20 points. Journal entries will not be shared with the class. These entries should include any of the following types of information:
o Descriptions of and reactions to personal encounters with individuals with disabilities/impairments/biological differences that occur during the semester or have occurred in the past.
o Observations of and reactions to interactions between individuals with and without disabilities/impairments/biological differences.
o Descriptions of and your reactions to information about and/or images of individuals with disabilities/impairments/biological differences that you find in the public media (newspapers, magazines, catalogues, movies, books, art, television, etc.)
o Descriptions of and your reactions to any other observations relevant to the experience of disability that you make during the semester.
o Your reactions to your own current or past experiences with disability
· Research project: Students will participate in a research project which will require them to examine the accessibility of ten structures. Further details will be posted in E-Learning.
· Papers: Students will be required to complete two two-page (double-spaced) papers based on the books they have read for class. These essays will incorporate the sociological concepts we have learned and their application to lived experiences. Each of your papers will be worth 5 points, for a total of 10 points.
· Attendance: Attendance is mandatory and will be taken each class period. Attendance will contribute 30 points to the overall grade.
· Class Participation: Based on your participation in class, you will earn 5 points over the course of the semester.
· Extra Credit: You will be given two opportunities to earn extra credit during the semester. During Week 5 you will have the option to complete a brief survey evaluating the course. For the survey you will earn 1 extra credit point. During week 11, you will have the option to compose a 250 word essay on the most thought provoking topic in our class. This will also earn you 1 extra credit point.
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 - 59
Exams / 20 Points
Journal / 20 Points
Research Project / 15 Points
Papers / 10 points
Attendance / 30 Points
Class Participation / 5 Points
Total / 100 Points
Policies
· Attendance: Attendance is mandatory and will be taken throughout the semester. Information covered in class is fair game on your exams. For these reasons, I would suggest that you attend class and make sure to bring in documentation for days that you are absent. Failure to attend class will be reflected in your course grade.
· Disabilities: Any student with a disability is encouraged to contact me during the first week of class to discuss accommodations. Each student must provide a current Letter of Accommodations from the Disability Resource Center which is a prerequisite for receiving accommodations. The Disability Resource Center is located in Peabody Hall. Accommodated exams through the Disability Resource Center require a 2-week notice. All other accommodations require notification 5 days prior to needing the accommodation.
· Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. If such an act occurs, there are several avenues that I may pursue ranging anywhere from having you redo the assignment, or receiving a zero on the assignment, to receiving an FF for the course.
· E-Learning: If you experience technical difficulties with E-learning during the semester, please contact the E-Learning Help Desk at (352) 392-4357. I cannot fix technical issues.
· Communication: Please feel free to e-mail me or visit office hours during the semester. I will do my best to provide responses to e-mails within 24 hours (with the exceptions of weekends). Use of the provided phone number is limited from 9-5, Monday – Friday. Please do not wait until the assignment is due to contact me.
· Deadlines: Assignment deadlines are extremely important. Please complete the assignment within the timeframe given. Deadlines are firm and will not be extended except in the case where written documentation is provided (e.g. illness, military deployment, or funerals).
· Make-Up Work: Students will be allowed to make-up work only with proper documentation (doctor’s note, death certificates in the case of funerals, notes from religious leaders for holidays, etc.). The amount of time you will have to make-up the work will be proportionate to the amount of time excused.
· Technology (cell phones, laptops, etc.): Acknowledging that technology has become a large part of our culture, I will not completely outlaw it in our classroom. You are all adults; if you bring laptops to class please practice proper etiquette toward your classmates and don’t engage in any technological behavior that would disturb their learning. If you fail to follow these instructions you will be asked to leave class for the rest of the day.
· Classroom Etiquette: Because this course may deal with some controversial topics, I would ask that you all practice proper classroom etiquette. This means allowing classmates to express their opinions even if they may not agree with your values or beliefs without devaluing their experiences. First time disruptions will earn a warning, any further disruptions and you will be asked to leave class for the day. My goal is to promote a safe space, where we can all participate in the discussion respectfully.
· E-Learning Survey: In order to understand your learning styles better, and to give you some measure of tailoring the class, you have the option to take a survey during the first week through the e-learning website (under assessments tab). This survey is ungraded. Questions will determine what kind of exams you take and the style in which I give lecture. While the survey is optional, majority vote will count, so I would advise you to exercise your democratic right and take the survey.
Topics and Assignments
PLEASE NOTE: TOPICS, READINGS, AND SCHEDULE ARE TENTATIVE AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO PERIODIC REVISION THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER AS THE COURSE DEVELOPS. CHANGES WILL BE DELIVERED VIA E-LEARNING.
Date / Topic / AssignmentsWeek 1 8.26.14 / Disciplinary Divides and Definitions / Read Syllabus
8.28.14 / Impairment as Social Deviance
Week 2 9.2.14 / Cultural Production of Disability
9.4.14 / Disability and the Rise of Capitalism
Week 3 9.9.14 / Disability as Social Oppression
9.11.14 / Prejudice, Discrimination, and Perceptions
Week 4 9.16.14 / Movie: Institutions
9.18.14 / Journey into the Life-course: Birth / Research Project Due
Week 5 9.23.14 / Review Session
9.25.14 / Journey into the Life-Course: Childhood / Extra Credit Survey (Optional)
RBS Paper Due
Week 6 9.30.14 / The Social Construction of Disability / Exam 1
10.2.14 / Models of Disability
Week 7 10.7.14 / Legislation in the U.S. and U.K.
10.9.14 / Journey into the Life-Course: Adulthood
Week 8 10.14.14 / Care and the Construction of Dependency
10.16.14 / Journey into the Life-Course: Old Age
Week 9 10.21.14 / Disability Narratives
10.23.14 / Experiencing Impairment and Disability
Week 10 10.28.14 / Structuring of Disabled Identities / BSH Paper Due
10.30.14 / Disability and Work
Week 11 11.4.14 / Disability Rights Movement / Journals Due
11.6.14 / The Meaning of Life (Quality)
Week 12 11.11.14 / HOLIDAY: NO CLASS
11.13.14 / Review / Extra Credit Essay (optional)
Week 13 11.18.14 / The Wise (Family) / Exam 2
11.20.14 / Family Systems Theory and Disability
Week 14 11.25.14 / Movie: Including Samuel / UM Paper Due
11.27.14 / HOLIDAY: NO CLASS
Week 15 12.2.14 / Advocates and Social Change
12.4.14 / The Enabling Environment
Week 16 12.9.14 / Class Ends 9th / Complete Evaluations
Student Acknowledgment of Requirements and Policies
I have read through the course requirements and corresponding due dates. I acknowledge that I will be responsible for completing all requirements on time and will visit office hours or make an appointment if I have any further questions.
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