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Courses
IHD course descriptions
The Institute for Human Development offers several courses in topics related to disability studies, assistive technology, and disability resources management. Course descriptions provide a brief overview of the course content and learning outcomes.
Undergraduate courses
DIS 201: Introduction to Disability Studies (3) Accordion Closed
Explores the disability experience from the perspective of individuals with disabilities, focusing on how society views disabilities and examining the relationship between society and the disabled. Prerequisite: None.
DIS 283: Culture and Disability (3) Accordion Closed
Explores the intersections between culture and disability, both in the United States and internationally. We explore the personal, social, political, and economic experiences of persons with disabilities around the world, including the intersections between disability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and economic class. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were nearly 50 million persons in the United States with disabilities in 2000, and the World Health organization (WHO) estimates the global population of persons with disabilities around 600 million. Through the exploration of historical events and literature from anthropology, disability studies, Deaf studies and related fields, this course will help you to identify, evaluate, respond to, and develop understandings of critical and essential questions related to the culture of disability and the experiences of people with disabilities. Cross-listed with ANT 283.
DIS 304: Accessibility and Usability: Introduction to Universal Design (3) Accordion Closed
An introduction to issues faced by individuals with disabilities and others based on the planning and design of spaces, products, facilities, curriculum, and information and how universal design addresses these issues. Prerequisite: DIS 201.
DIS 309: Disability History Accordion Closed
This course is an introduction to disability history that offers students a broad overview of relevant historical contexts pertaining to persons with disabilities. It explores changes and continuities in the ways in which people in different times and places have thought about and treated people with disabilities in legal, scientific, medical, political, and social discourse, as well as in popular and high culture.
DIS 335: Disability and Ethics Accordion Closed
This course examines disability from a philosophical and especially ethical perspective. It brings the experience of disability to bear on the domain of philosophy to examine flaws in fundamental ethical concepts and theories, while also using the methods and skills of philosophy to help understand disability in new and illuminating ways. Cross-listed with PHI 335.
DIS 485: Undergraduate Research (1-6) Accordion Closed
Individualized, original research conducted under the supervision of a research adviser. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit.
DIS 497: Independent Study (1-6) Accordion Closed
Individualized approach to select topics by guided reading and critical evaluation. Pass-fail only. No repeat limit.
DIS 498: Senior Seminar in Disability Studies (3) Accordion Closed
The seminar, reserved for students seeking the Minor in Disability Studies, provides a forum for discussion of topical issues pertaining to individuals with disabilities across the life span. Letter grade only. Prerequisites: DIS 201, DIS 304, and DIS 410.
Graduate courses
DIS 505: Disabilities and Technology in the Lifespan: An Introduction (3) Accordion Closed
DIS 505 is an introductory course that presents an overview of assistive technology (AT) devices and services that can assist a person with a disability throughout the lifespan to overcome functional limitations. Students will review basic information about assistive devices and services, learn about specific AT devices and potential applications of these devices, become familiar with funding sources for AT devices or services, and learn about federal legislation and public policy that addresses AT.
DIS 521: Assessment and Effective Practices in Assistive Technology (3) Accordion Closed
Provides students with knowledge and skills in assessing the need for assistive technology and reviews current effective practices for providing assistive technology services. Letter grade only.
DIS 524 Assistive Technology Application: Literacy (3) Accordion Closed
Provides specific knowledge and skills necessary to implement assistive technology tools and strategies for individuals who struggle to gain the skills of reading, writing, and literacy. This course addresses a range of ages, skill levels, and disabilities. Letter grade only.
DIS 525: Assistive Technology Application: Communication Impairment(3) Accordion Closed
Provides specific knowledge and skills necessary to implement augmentative and alternative communication strategies with individuals with disabilities. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours of credit. Letter grade only.
DIS 526: Applications of Assistive Technology for School-Aged Individuals: Low Incidence/Severe Disabilities (3) Accordion Closed
Develops the specific skills and device knowledge necessary to provide assistive technology services to persons with low incidence or severe disabilities in a variety of settings. Letter grade only.
DIS 528: Assistive Technology Application: Sensory Impairment (3) Accordion Closed
Provides specific knowledge and skills necessary to implement assistive technology tools and strategies for individuals with sensory disabilities. This course addresses the sensory impairment areas of hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment. Letter grade only.
DIS 608 Fieldwork Experience (1-12) Accordion Closed
Field experiences in applied and service delivery settings. You participate in a supervised training experience according to your interests and the availability of training sites. Pass-fail only.
DIS 685 Graduate Research (1-6) Accordion Closed
Directed research on selected topics in disability studies. Instructor approval required.
DIS 689 Capstone Project (2-3) Accordion Closed
Directed study on selected topics in disability studies. Letter grade or pass-fail.
DIS 697 Independent Study (1-3) Accordion Closed
Directed study on selected topics in disability studies. Instructor approval required.