You can access the full course syllabus here: SOC 551 syllabus.pdf

Learning objectives

On completion of the course, you will be able to:

understand the development of disability as a human rights issue;
recognize and apply human rights standards related to disability, from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) to national instruments;
appreciate the rights of persons with disabilities from a comparative perspective;
relate theoretical concepts and approaches regarding non-discrimination and equality to specific case studies.

Description of course activities and content

The course is structured in two modules encompassing an eight-week period.

Module 1 provides a brief introduction on how disability has been gradually linked with human rights discourses and then explains how the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reinforced a key paradigm shift from the medical model to the social and rights-based model of disability. The second part of the Module looks at the application of the UN CRPD to specific areas of implementation. We conclude with case studies on disability rights or activist organizations fighting for community inclusion.

Module 2 looks at some fundamental issues of implementation, providing regional and national perspectives. Aspects of laws, policies and monitoring on the rights of persons with disabilities are considered with examples from local, regional, and national practice.

Below are the topics you will study each week:

Module 1	Week 1	Disability as a human rights issue at the global level
	Week 2	Adoption of the UN CRPD
	Week 3	Application of the UN CRPD to selected areas
	Week 4	Case study of a disability rights or activist group
Module 2	Week 5	Exploring the links between global, regional and national approaches (focus on Africa and Kenya)
	Week 6	Regional perspectives on disability (focus on ASEAN and OAS)
	Week 7	National laws and monitoring (with the examples of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina)
	Week 8	Legal case study on a disability rights issue

What to expect

You are expected to engage in approximately 40-60 hours of active learning through readings, videos, podcasts, discussions, written assignments, and quizzes. The course is based on a participatory approach aimed at developing and reinforcing personal critical reflection and peer-to-peer learning. Case studies will be used to identify cross-regional and cross-cutting issues and enable a multidimensional understanding of practical application.