Minor in disability studies at Oregon
Disability studies is a dynamic interdisciplinary minor that considers disability as a civil and human rights issue, an identity, a community, a history, and a form of critical analysis. Disability studies investigates how different cultures define normality and abnormality in terms of bodies and minds, and how the resultant distinctions impact peoples’ everyday lives. Rather than approaching disability as a problem in need of a cure, disability studies as a field understands disability as a defining human experience that offers unique perspectives on culture and society. It explores issues and histories from the viewpoints of disabled people and communities, in intersection with other identities like race, class, gender, and sexuality.
Curriculum overview
Disability studies courses are thought-provoking and eye-opening.
Many disability studies courses also count for general education requirements.
Students gain direct contact with disability communities through innovative fieldwork options.
Through this minor, students with disabilities can form community, explore disability politics and history, and see ourselves in the curriculum.
This minor gives cultural competence to students headed for careers in physical, speech, and occupational therapy, psychology, medicine, public policy, recreation, and education who will work directly with people with disabilities.
Careers in disability studies
The disability studies minor prepares students for careers in psychology and counseling, health and medicine, government, nonprofit agencies, advocacy, public policy and administration, education, and social work. Our graduates work in trauma services, information technology, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, human resources, psychology, teaching, adaptive recreation, disability services, and arts and museum education.