DEE601 Traditions Assumptions and Paradigms

This course will explore historical and current theoretical models and paradigms that have shaped educational beliefs and values about disability. Its purpose is to provide participants with several of the multiple epistemological frames that underlie pedagogy of disability. Among the paradigms to be considered will be behavioral and social learning theories, medical and positivist models, and cognitive and psychodynamic theories. Emphasis will be placed on the contributions and implications for practice of each model or paradigm. The course also examines tensions among the beliefs and assumptions inherent in each, the social meanings of disability in each, and the consequences of these tensions for policies and practices. Prerequisite(s): Admission to a doctoral program in NCE, post-masters status, or consent of instructor. 3 semester hours