This first activity is about exploring a specific topic in disability studies that interests you, understanding your own thoughts regarding the topic and why it is important, and using theory to help you understand the topic. You will also state either a question that you want to answer regarding your topic or an argument that you want to make. The length requirement is brief and therefore the writing should be focused and tight. Let me know if you need/want coaching on this.
Part 1: Summary of Topic/Problem (1 to 1.5 pages) (48 points; 40%)
Describe a specific topic or social problem related to the sociology of disability that you are interested in understanding. You will stick with this topic the entire 6 weeks.
Why is this topic important to you personally? Why should the social world pay attention to it? (In other words, why should we all care? What might happen if we ignore this topic?)
Include basic background information about this topic. What do you already know about your topic? Anything from other classes? Statistics regarding the topic that you can find? This should include information from at least two academic sources.
What is the overarching question you have regarding this topic? Or, what is the argument you plan to make regarding your topic?
Part 2: Application of Theory and Concepts (1 to 1.5 pages) (48 points; 40%)
1. Apply the medical, and then the social model to your problem.
-If one is using the medical model, what is the problem and the solution?
-If one is using the social model, what is the problem and the solution?
-What might be useful for each model?
-What might be limiting about each model?
2. Choose one theory from chapter one that you think is best to help you understand your topic (1. Symbolic interaction/cultural; 2. Materialist; 3. Political/State-Centered; 4. Stratification/Intersectionality/Relational; 5. Embodiment; 6. Crip Theories.) Summarize the theoretical perspective and how it relates to your topic.
Things to think about (you dont have to write about all of these):
What are the main arguments from the theory?
What are the concepts that are important in the theory?
What does the theory say about how we should think about disability?
This first memo will be roughly 2.5-3.5 double spaced pages in length, 12 point font and 1 margins, Times New Roman. There is a suggested outline in the following page. You are free to use it. You do not have to use it.
**Grammar and Writing (20%; 24 points)
Introduction
(3-4 paragraphs)
~2 Paragraphs: Introduce the problem or topic that you will be discussing. Tell us why this topic matters to you and to the social world. Why should we care?
~2-3 Paragraphs: Introduce background statistics regarding the problem/topic. Briefly summarize the information you found in a search of the literature. (These can be textbooks, peer reviewed journal articles, information from government websites, etc.)
1-2 sentences to wrap this up What is the overarching question or argument you have or plan to make about this topic?
Theoretical Applications
(~6 paragraphs)
Medical vs. Social Approach to the Problem/Topic
~1 paragraph: Discuss how the medical model would view this topic/problem and solutions to the problem.
~1 paragraph: What is useful about this approach? What are the limitations?
~1 paragraph: Discuss how the social model would view this topic/problem and solutions to the problem.
~1 paragraph: What is useful about this approach? What are the limitations?
An Application of (this theory) to the Problem/Topic
Choose one of the 6 theoretical perspectives from chapter 1.
(1. Symbolic interaction/cultural; 2. Materialist; 3. Political/State-Centered;
Stratification/Intersectionality/Relational; 5. Embodiment; 6. Crip Theories.)
~1 paragraph: Briefly describe the theory. What is the main argument and core concepts (if applicable.)
~1-2 paragraphs: How does this theory relate to your topic? What does it suggest will matter most when exploring your topic? What would it suggest in terms of potential solutions to your problem or outcomes if we do/do not address the problem?
