An Introduction to Disability Studies in India

By Dr. Vivek Singh | Banaras Hindu University

Learners enrolled: 1752 | Exam registration: 411

ABOUT THE COURSE:

This course provides an in-depth examination of cultural, social, historical, and political aspects of disability in India. It intends to explain the basic tenets and concepts associated with Disability Studies. Topic coverage ranges from historical view of disability to socio-cultural construction of disability, policy issues, gender issues, and various perspectives. In addition it also offers politics associated with people with disability and gives a brief account of how they are represented in literature and films. Finally, it paves the way for the future research and engagements.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Students of UG and PG for a comprehensive understanding of the field; Research scholars interested in considering the emerging field as their area of expertise; lecturers who are required to teach Disability Studies in the prescribed syllabus of their respective institutions.

PREREQUISITES: Not required.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: It is being taught in most of the universities and colleges

Summary

Course Status :	Ongoing
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	English
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date :	20 Jan 2025
End Date :	11 Apr 2025
Enrollment Ends :	03 Feb 2025
Exam Registration Ends :	28 Feb 2025
Exam Date :	25 Apr 2025 IST

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Introduction to the course: Methodology, Definitions, Key concepts

Week 2: Theories and Models of Disablity

Week 3: Historicizing Disability

Week 4: Discourse of Norms, Ability, and Masculinity

Week 5: Indian myths, Stereotypes, Language,Representations,

Week 6: Theorizing Disability: Stigma, Identity, Subjectivity

Week 7: Disability, Impairment, Cyborg

Week 8: Social Policy, Education and Disability

Week 9: Indian Feminism and Disability

Week 10: Indian Literature and Disability

Week 11: Indian Cinema and Disability

Week 12: Emerging New Trends and Practices

Books and references

Addlakha, Renu. Disability Studies in India: Global Discourses, Local Realties. New Delhi: Routledge,2013.Print.
Barnes, Collin, Mercer, Geof, and Shakespeare Tom.Exploring Disability: A Sociological Introduction.Cambridge, Polity Press, 1999. Print.
Davis, Lennard J. Enforcing Normalcy: Disability,Deafness and the Body. New York: Verso,1995. Print.Foucault, Michel. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason. Trans. R. Howard.New York: Random House, 1965. Print.
Ghai, Anita. “Disabled Woman: An Excluded Agenda of Feminism”. Feminism and Disability.17. 03 (Summer 2002): 49-66. Print.………………..Rethinking Disability in India, Routledge. 2015 Print.
Goffman, E. Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1963. Print.Higgins, P. Making Disability: Exploring the Social Transformation of Human Variation. Springfield, Illinios: Charles C. Thomas Publisher. 1992 Print .
Karna. G. N. Disability Studies in India: Retrospects and Prospects. New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House. 2001 Print .
Kohama, Angela. Inclusive Education in India: A Country in Transition. Oregon University of Oregon, 2012 Print.
McRuer, R. Crip Theory: Cultural Signs of Queerness and Disability. New York: New York University Press, 2006.Print Oliver, M. Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 1996. Print.
Shildrick, Margrit. Dangerous Discourses of Disability,Subjectivity, and Sexuality. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. Print.
Thomson, Rosemarie. Extraordinary Bodies: Figuring Physical Disability in American Culture and Literature. New York: Columbia University Press, 1997. Print

Instructor bio

Dr. Vivek Singh

Banaras Hindu University

Dr. Vivek Singh is an Assistant Professor of English at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He received his graduate and postgraduate degrees from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. For his M.Phil. degree, he went to Pondicherry University, Puducherry and he pursued his Ph.D. from the University of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad. To pursue his research, he was sent to Potsdam University, Berlin, and received DAAD fellowship. He has also taught for more than a year in Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. He has delivered more than fifteen lectures in various reputed institutions and has published more than ten papers in international journals and has contributed articles in edited books. He has edited a book titled ‘The Crisis in Humanity’ (2022).He has authored a book, Discourse of Disability: Indian Perspectives from Routledge, London. As a Fulbrightscholar, he has played a role of language instructor and cultural ambassador in MVSU, USA.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.

The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).

Date and Time of Exams: April 25, 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.

Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.

The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.

Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of INI and BHU.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI team

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