Disability Studies (MA)

<div id="tab2" class="tab grid_8 alpha hide-on-small" style="display: block;"> <div class="courseLinks hide-on-medium-down"> <img src="/media/liverpoolhope/styleassets/cssimages/media,975,en.gif" alt="print Icon" style="width : 24px; height : 24px; "> <span><a href="javascript:window.print()">print this page</a></span> <span class="st_sharethis_custom" st_processed="yes"><a href="#">share this course</a></span> </div> <h2>Curriculum</h2> <p>In accordance with the University’s Regulations/Guidelines on Master’s qualifications, the MA Disability Studies consists of a 180 credits taught postgraduate programme. The programme offers exit awards at the Postgraduate Certificate stage (60 credits) and the Postgraduate Diploma stage (120 credits). The research phase leads to completion of a dissertation through independent study with individual research supervision. To achieve the full award (180 credits) students must take a range of taught modules up to the value of 120 credits and complete the research phase, which follows a 15+45 credit model.</p> <p>The modules covered include Critical Disability Theory; Disability and Professional Practice; Modelling Disability; Disability and Disciplines; Research Methods; and a Dissertation.&nbsp;</p> <div id="stcpDiv"> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Critical Disability Theory (30 credits)</span></p> <p>Focusing on critical theory from the modern and postmodern eras, this module provides a basis for an interrogation of Disability Studies and Special Educational Needs. From Freud to Foucault, Goffman to Garland-Thomson, Derrida to Davis, McRuer to Murray, and so on, the module follows the progression of critical disability theory from the early twentieth century to the present day. Though explicitly theoretical, the content of the module is grounded in experiential knowledge. Concepts such as stigma, the normate, panopticism, normalcy, narrative prosthesis, dismodernism, crip theory, aesthetic nervousness, autistic presence, and the metanarrative of blindness are explored in relation to social, cultural, and individual attitudes toward impairment, disability and education.&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Disability and Professional Practice (30 credits)</span></p> <p>The relationship between disability and professional practice can be both problematic and productive. This relationship is explored in the module as an array of perspectives and expertise is considered. Training, teaching, therapy, legislation, and so on, are all manifestly praiseworthy but nonetheless warrant critical engagement. How and by whom is disability voiced within the professions? These are some of the many provocative questions that the module explores in relation to the professional context.</p> <div id="stcpDiv"> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Modelling Disability (30 credits)</span></p> <p>Disability has been conceptualised in many ways and for many purposes. In the past it tended to be non-disabled people who were responsible for the conceptualising and theorising of disability. In recent years, however, thanks largely to disability activism, disabled people have taken control of the ways in which disability is modelled. In order to gain a better idea of what is meant by disability, the module takes a critical journey through religious, charity, medical, social, affirmative, cultural, and other models of disability.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Disability and Disciplines (30 credits)</span></p> <p>Disability studies, according to many definitions, originated in the social sciences. It is, however, also highly relevant to the humanities. Indeed, Disability Studies has great multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary potential (not to mention credentials). The representation of disability is important in culture as well as in society. In probing this fact, the module brings together interests in Disability Studies and for instance, art, literature, culture, literacy, film, media, and music.</p> </div> </div> </div>