| CODE | SWP5113 | ||||||
| TITLE | Understanding Definitions of Disability | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Social Policy and Social Work | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This aim of this study-unit is to introduce the students to the main ideas of disability studies. This is the first study-unit that the students will be following in this M.A. Disability Studies and it sets their thinking on the issues of disability along a socio-political path. The study-unit introduces the students to the main and dominant discourses on disability studies that have evolved in the last 35 years in Malta and Internationally, while at the same time questioning these discourses. Study-unit Aims The study-unit has three main aims: 1. The first aim is to highlight and show the shift from the medical, charity, pity models of disability to a social construction of disability: From the 1960s in the UK we see that various disabled people started questioning how they were perceived and constructed (reference to M. Foucault’s work on ‘archaeology’ will be made here). Disabled researchers, such as Mike Oliver, came up with the distinction between impairment and disability. While impairment (and the impaired body) is acknowledged, what is argued is that, it is society with its structures and politics as well as the market forces, such as capitalism, that transform people with impairment into disabled people. This is known as the social model of disability. 2. The second aim is to give a historical perspective of the concept of impairment and disability; the focus will be on Malta and the UK, however reference to other countries will be mentioned. Policies, legislation and the disability movements will be discussed. How the social model of disability has been applied to the Maltese situation will be highlighted. 3. The third aim looks at how identities of dis-abilities are constructed, how the concept of ‘otherness’ is related to the ‘norm’. Disability as ‘otherness’ will be discussed, while however, also discussing how the concepts in Aim 1 have normalised disability studies, and therefore, needs to consider the idea of ‘otherness’ of such a concept. This aim therefore will discuss the formation of identities, or better still, the formation of multiple identities, how these are constructed and de-constructed. The philosophy of J. Derrida will be used in this aim. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Describe and analyse the different models of disability and their critique, keeping in mind how different countries have used such models in the last 35 years; 2. Demonstrate that the student is familiar with the various basic literature on disability studies; 3. Acquire a systematic and in-depth understanding of the definitions of disability. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Critique and analyze the general ideas behind the concept of identity formation and how this applies to people with disability and disability studies; 2. Evaluate and compare different historical moments which have given a voice to persons with disability; 3. Explore and critically reflect on issues related to the disability issues; 4. Sharpen the ability to think critically and 'outside the box' and to analyse current situations; 5. Be empowered to come forward with new insights and potential solutions to disability issues. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Main texts on Disability: Disability Politics: Understanding Our Past, Changing Our Future by Jane Campbell and Mike Oliver (1996). (available) Disability Studies Today by Colin Barnes, Len Barton and Mike Oliver (2002). (available) Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments by John Swain, Vic Finkelstein, Sally French and Mike J Oliver (2004). (available) Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice by Michael Oliver (unavailable) The Politics of Disablement (Critical texts in social work & the welfare state) by Michael Oliver (1990). (available) Disability (Key Concepts) by Colin Barnes and Geof Mercer. (2003). (available) Main texts on Foucault and Disability: Actively Seeking Inclusion: Insiders, Outsiders and Deciders (Studies in Inclusive Education) by Julie Allan (unavailable) Foucault and the Government of Disability (Corporealities: Discourses of Disability) by Shelley Tremain. (unavailable) Main text on Derrida: Derrida & Education by Gert J.J. Biesta and Denise Egéa-Kuehne (unavailable) The UoM Library has a number of journals on disability studies. Students will be encourage to search, read and critique. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite qualifications: First Cycle Degree | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph Camilleri Duncan Mercieca |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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