HIST 3116A: History of Disability
Summer 2025
Instructor: Christine Chisholm
Dr. Maurice Mongeau with young Bernadette Bainbridge at the Rehabilitation Institute in Montreal. The image was part of an article discussing the ‘flying squad’ approach to helping mother’s cope with the news of having given birth to a child with disabilities. Source: Toronto Daily Star, March 26, 1966. Photographed by Len Sidaway.
Course Description:
What does it mean to be “normal”? How have ideas about disability evolved over time? This course explores the rich and complex history of disability, tracing how societies have understood, represented, and treated disabled individuals across different cultural and historical contexts. While taking a global perspective, we will focus heavily on North American and Canadian histories, examining key moments of discrimination, exclusion, and resistance.
Through case studies, students will engage with both medical and cultural interpretations of disability, analyzing how these frameworks have shaped policies, public attitudes, and the lived experiences of disabled individuals. We will also explore the material aspects of disability, from assistive technologies to accessibility policies, and consider how historical narratives have influenced contemporary debates.
This course encourages students to think critically about the intersections of disability with race, gender, and class, drawing on multi-disciplinary approaches and Critical Disability Studies. By the end of the course, students will not only gain a deeper understanding of disability history but will also be equipped to ask new and thought-provoking questions about what it means to be human.
Format and Assessment: Online – Asynchronous.
The course is structured into thematic units, each featuring pre-recorded video lectures (with captions). Each unit must be completed by its assigned deadline, but students are welcome to progress through the course at a faster pace if they wish. Weekly discussion posts are required to encourage engagement with course materials. Brief quizzes will assess comprehension of key arguments in each unit, alongside written assignments, a term essay, and a final exam.
Active participation and critical thinking are key components of assessment.
Office hours will be available by appointment via video conference, and live Q&A sessions may be scheduled based on demand, with recordings provided for accessibility. Reliable internet and a computer are required for course participation.
Aims and Goals:
- Develop a strong understanding of the key arguments, methods, and theoretical approaches in the field of disability history.
- Analyze disability as a social construct while critically engaging with embodiment theories, distinguishing between medical, cultural, and historical perspectives.
- Conduct independent research on a specific aspect, topic, or time period in disability history, demonstrating critical engagement with primary and secondary sources.
- Explore non-traditional historical sources—such as oral histories, material culture, and visual media—while engaging in comparative studies across different cultural and historical contexts.
Text:
All articles and book chapters assigned will be available via ARES and online. No purchases are required.
Questions? Please email me at: Christine.Chisholm@carleton.ca