Course Catalogue

Disabling worlds: Exploring disability in the global north and south SOCIO4130

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

It is estimated that around 15 per cent of the world's population are disabled. In the global north, critiques of the biomedical view of disability from within the disabled people's movements has led to a flourishing of scholarship and recognition of rights for disabled people. Yet 80 per cent of disabled people live in the global south. This course will introduce you to key concepts within disability studies and consider their significance in a global setting. In what ways have disabled people's rights been recognised at the global and national levels and what role have disabled people played in the development of rights? How is disability framed within development agendas of the global north? What points of commonality and difference in disabled people's lives in the twenty first century on the global scale?

Timetable

None

Requirements of Entry

In order to take this course, students need to have met the requirements for entry into the Sociology Honours Programme. This means achieving a grade of 'D' or better in Sociology 1A and 1B and a 'C' or better in Sociology 2A and 2B. Students also have to comply with the College of Social Science regulations for progression to Honours.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Summative assessment 1: 2,250 word essay (50%)

 

Summative assessment 2: an exam (50%), 1,500 words.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

• To introduce students to key theoretical concepts in disability studies and consider their applicability in different settings

• To provide students with an understanding of the disabled people's movement at the local and global levels and their role in advancement of rights for disabled people

• To enable students to critically interrogate disability theory, policy and practice across the globe

• To introduce students to the relationship between disability and development

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

• Define key issues facing disabled people globally;

• Engage with and critically evaluate the key theoretical debates within disability studies

• Demonstrate an understanding of disablism and ways in which it manifests in different settings;

• Assess and critically evaluate the ways disability is measured at national and international levels;

•Outline key critiques of development approaches to disability.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions