HST 221 United States Disability History

3.0 Credit(s) PGR

This lecture/discussion class will explore the history of disability as a lived-experience told by the disabled themselves, their caregivers, their doctors and others. The voices will range from the keepers of asylums, reformers, “freaks” in side shows, doctors diagnoses, veterans of wars, immigrants, supporters of eugenics, politicians, and disability rights advocates. This class will stress historical empathy, which means students will put themselves in someone else’s shoes to better understand persons with disabilities and their treatment by “normal” Americans. 3 lecture hours per week.