Literature & Medicine (381-0-20)
Topic
Intro to Disability Studies in Literature
Instructors
Hannah Molly Chaskin
Meeting Info
University Hall 318: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
The field of disability studies grew out of the rights-based activism that led, in the United States, to the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Yet, as disability theorists have observed, "western" literature has long been obsessed with disability as metaphor, character trait, and plot device. This course will serve as an introduction to the application of disability studies in literature. We will explore a range of questions: how do we approach the representation of disability in texts by non-disabled authors? How do we differentiate (or should we?) between disability and chronic illness, or between physical and mental disabilities? Can literary representation operate as activism? How do we parse the gap between disability as metaphor and lived experience? What does literature offer disability studies, and why should disability studies be a core method for studying literature? Readings will be divided between theoretical texts and primary sources. Students will learn to grapple with complex sociocultural and literary analysis, as well as to make space for their own primary source readings.
Class Materials (Required)
Required Texts: All texts will be uploaded to Canvas as screen-reader-compatible PDFs.
Class Attributes
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area