Approaches to History (393-0-28)
Topic
Illness and Disability in History
Instructors
Shireen Hamza
Meeting Info
Lunt Hall 103: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
This course explores the changing meanings of disability and illness in history and around the world. How can we understand a historical figure as "disabled" before the invention of this category? What is the relationship between race, gender, class, illness and disability? By reading the historical writings of physicians, religious scholars, officials, activists, and others, some of whom were sick & disabled, we will investigate the social construction of categories relevant to disability and (chronic) illness in the history of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
This course strives to respect contemporary disability justice principles, and as such, to be accessible to a range of bodyminds. Course materials will center academic and popular writings, podcasts, and memoirs, but will also include some film and visual art. Your final project will be a proposal for an archival and/or oral historical project on the history of illness and disability, which we will work towards throughout the semester. We will not carry out that proposal in this class, but you may in the future.
Learning Objectives
1) Familiarity with a range of methods and frameworks for understanding illness and disability in history 2) Understanding of how medical, religious, and other knowledge has shaped categories relevant to disability across many regions and time periods 3) Reading primary sources by, and about, sick and disabled people in history 4) Some experience researching the history of disability
Evaluation Method
Class participation including small- and large-group discussions, short essays with creative options, and a proposal for a possible research project on the history of disability and chronic illness in any region or period
Class Notes
Concentration: Americas, European, Asia/Middle East, Africa/Middle East, Global
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area