UofL’s New Disability Studies Minor: Meeting Student Demand and Fostering Interdisciplinary Engagement
January 15, 2025
By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences
The College of Arts & Sciences recently launched a new Disability Studies minor in response to a growing need expressed by students across various disciplines for more academic exploration of disability issues.
Now, all students have the chance to apply these studies to their eventual careers. Andreas Elpidorou, philosophy professor and director of the Liberal Studies program, spearheads the initiative and states that over 15 percent, and closer to 20 percent of students in higher education, report that they have some kind of disability.
One of the minor’s unique aspects is its focus on interdisciplinarity, encouraging students to explore how disabilities interact with social, cultural, and political factors.
“We want all students, whether they identify as having a disability or not, to deepen their understanding of the diverse ways people experience and interact with the world, and to appreciate the societal structures that shape those experiences.” Elpidorou said.
The Disability Studies minor integrates coursework from philosophy, sociology, education with an emphasis on special education, and contemporary languages with interpreter training. The program covers a broad range of topics, from societal norms and the political dimensions of disability to understanding the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities. Though currently offered as a minor, there are ambitions to expand the program if student interest continues to grow.
For students majoring in fields like social work, psychology, or education, this minor offers a meaningful way to enhance their studies by providing a deeper understanding of disability-related issues. It is particularly suited for those interested in advocating for inclusivity and supporting marginalized communities.
“We’re hoping that after a few years, once people become more aware of our program, we can demonstrate the demand and potentially develop it into a major,” Elpidorou adds.
The new minor not only aligns with students' academic interests but also addresses a crucial societal need. As Elpidorou emphasizes, understanding disability from multiple perspectives can be transformative, both personally and professionally.
The program requirements are as follows:
Core Courses (Select One of the Following Two)
- PHIL 327: Philosophy of Disability
- SOC 442: Sociology of Disabilities
Education Course (Select One)
- EDSP 240: Introduction to Exceptional Children
- EDSP 260: Classroom Behavior Management
- EDSP 294: Teaching Individuals with Physical, Health, and Multiple Disabilities
- EDSP 395: Autism: Science, Culture and Identity
- EDSP 510: Legal Issues in Special Education
Sociology Course (Select One)
- SOC 323: Diversity and Inequality
- SOC 342: Medical Sociology
- SOC 442: Sociology of Disabilities
Interpreter Training Course (Select One)
- ITP 115: Introduction to Deaf Culture
- ITP 350: Historical Perspectives on the Deaf Community
Philosophy Course (Select One)
- PHIL 323: Medical Ethics
- PHIL 325: Feminist Medical Ethics
-PHIL 327: Philosophy of Disability
- PHIL 582: Health and Social Justice
Additional Courses (Select Either One Course from the Following List or Any One Additional Course from the Categories Above)
- PHPB 310: Power, Oppression & Liberation in Social Systems
- PHPB 311: Policy and Systems of Power
- ANTH 351: Medical Anthropology
For more information, contact Elpidorou at andreas.elpidorou@louisville.edu.