Beginning with Disability: A Primer

by Lennard J. Davis (Editor)

Disability studies has recently become a major field in academia and elsewhere. While there are a few readers in disability studies, there is no good and widely used general introduction aimed at first and second year students in two and four-year colleges. This text will focus on five main areas within disability studies. Consulting editors intheir fields will help assemble readings: Prof. Susan Schweik in the history department at the University of California at Berkeley would provide guidance on history; Professor Linda Ware at SUNY Geneseo would cover education; Professor Nirmala Ereveles at the University of Alabama would cover race and global issues; Professor Jay Dolmage at the University of Toronto would treat Rhetorical Studies; and Professor Sarah Parker-Harris at the University of Illinois at Chicago would advise on sociology.

Genres: Disability, Disability Studies, Nonfiction, Read For School

358 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2017

Reviews

[David Kirschner · Rating 5 out of 5]

After three semesters of changing primary texts for Sociology of Disability, I've found my forever book! Absolutely loved this reader, and students responded positively too. Turn the spoon theory reading into a class activity, and have students write position papers for the debates in the back. Using this book, I was able to bolster sections of the course on politics & social justice, intersectionality, and deafness and Deaf culture. Highly recommend grabbing Davis's higher-level reader, The Disability Studies Reader, for yourself. It greatly enhances much of the topics covered in this one, particularly (for me) regarding theory, identity, and bioethics.

[Kit Englard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent starting point for anyone looking to get a bird’s-eye view of Disability Studies as a field. The collection offers a wide range of essays representing diverse disability perspectives, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering depth. One essay is definitely controversial (and has sparked plenty of debate), but overall, this is a resource I come back to often and recommend regularly to those new to the field.

[❀ 伍花蕾 ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a majority of this book because I had assigned reading selections for a Disability Studies class, but there were also other passages I read on my own because they piqued my interest. This book has a lot of insightful, thought-provoking, and empowering selections regarding Disability and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

[Grace Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

made me think hard

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did select readings for class and I found it well written and very interesting.