Disability Studies Minor
The Disability Studies Minor provides a comprehensive overview of issues relevant to disabilities throughout the life span. In addition, the Disability Studies Minor is designed to address and analyze policies and societal barriers affecting persons with disabilities. The Disability Studies Minor embraces the philosophy of the Disability Rights Movement that focuses on self-determination, civil rights, and culture.
The field of disability studies is relatively new and is an outgrowth of civil rights for persons with disabilities that led to the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Disability Studies represents a focus on empowerment, self-determination, and independence.
Subject Area Competence
Students choosing the Minor in Disability Studies will be expected to demonstrate competence through 20 credits in Disability Studies and other relevant Human Services courses. Three four-credit courses will be required from Disability Studies courses and the remaining will be selected by students from the list below. This combination will provide a foundation in disability studies and also an opportunity for students to select material of specific interest to their careers and educational goals. The Disability Studies Minor can be taken by students in any program of study.
Required (20 Total Credits)
Required Core Courses (12 credits)
- HSDS 304 Introduction to Disabilities
- HSDS 305 Disability Rights: History and Current Trends
- HSDS 307 Blind, Deaf Blind, and Deaf Culture, History and Resources
Elective Courses (8 credits)
Choose a minimum of two courses from the following:
- HSDS 306 Community Resources and Services for Persons with Disabilities
- HSDS 308 Aging and Disabilities
- HSDS 400 Current Issues and Special Topics in Disability Studies
- HSFS 399 Selected Topics (2 credits; may be taken two times)
- HSER 303 Disability Awareness