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In this module students will be introduced to theoretical and political questions about students with learning difficulties and disabilities, including students with severe and profound learning difficulties. After looking at competing models of disability, we will examine questions about health, human dignity, respect, rights, equality, dependency, creativity and inclusion; and we explore how people with disabilities value their lives and how to assess their testimony about living with a disability. The course will include philosophical and sociological theory, the politics of disability, numerous examples of first person testimony, and a session given over to the work of Oily Cart, a company who include children with profound disabilities in their interactive theatre.

Teaching delivery:ÌýÌýThis module is taught in 10 weekly lectures and 10 weekly seminars.

Indicative Topics:Ìýbased on module content in 2023/24 and may be subject to change.

• Definitions of 'Disability; The Social Construction of Disability; Disability and Theatre; Taking the voices of disabled people seriously; Disability, Culture and the Arts; Disability and Politics; Choosing Children; Profound disability: love, respect, care; Inclusion and Inclusive education

Aims:

This module will:

• Introduce students to a broad range of philosophical, sociological and political questions about children and young people with disabilities.
• Explore and critically examine philosophical, sociological and political questions about disability, equality, rights, inclusion, dignity, care, love and dependency.
• Critically examine the politics of disability, including a historical overview of disability events and education policies on disability, and how policies and processes of social construction and reproduction shape common conceptions and the lives of children with disabilities. Ìý
• Explore the testimony of people with disabilities, including people who are unable to speak or communicate for themselves, and critically examine accounts of how to do justice to the testimony of people with disabilities.
• Examine the strengths and limitations of theoretical materials when applied to the practical details of the educational lives of people with disabilities, including capability theory, theories of equality, conceptions of dignity and respect and theories of inclusion.