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Disability Studies
An Interdisciplinary Introduction

Second Edition


November 2016 | 296 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Passionate, engaging and challenging, this second edition of the ground-breaking Disability Studies: An Interdisciplinary Introduction is a contemporary introduction to this diverse and complex field.

Taking an interdisciplinary and critical approach, the book:

  • examines a diverse range of theories and perspectives and engages with current debates in the field
  • explores key areas of analysis, with chapters devoted to the individual, society, community and education
  • applies a global perspective encompassing examples from the UK, Australia, Scandinavia, the US, and Canada.

Encouraging and stimulating readers using thought-provoking questions, exercises and activities, Disability Studies is a rich and rewarding read for students and researchers engaging with disability across the social sciences.

 

 
Preface: Introducing a new edition
 
Beginnings: Conceptualising disability in a global world
 
Politics: Key debates and contestations in disability studies
 
Differences: Disability, gender, race, sexuality and social class
 
Society: Towards a sociology of disability
 
Individuals: The psychological manufacture of the disabled individual
 
Subjectivity: Finding critical psychologies of disability
 
Discourse: Exposing the constitution of dis/ability and impairment
 
Community: A DisHuman analysis of life, labour and activism
 
Education: Challenging neoliberal-ableist education through critical pedagogy
 
Futures: Four approaches and three key themes of critical disability studies
 
References

In these 10 updated chapters, Dan Goodley creates and maintains a balanced space for theoretical foundations, passionate reflections, and direct actions. As a student, the breadth of considerations posed throughout Disability Studies is challenging in a way that pushes for deeper understanding, while the encyclopedic references offer a guided glimpse further into the rabbit hole. Because of its expansive research, further thinking points after each chapter, and use of a wide range of interdisciplinary authors as allies, Disability Studies will quickly become an underlined, highlighted, scribbled-in, dog-eared go-to book.

Michael Miller
Caregiver, Portland, OR

Dan Goodley’s updated Disability Studies delivers challenging, exciting and robust content. Almost conversational in style, the delivery of key ideas, theories and concepts in the subject area are applied in a meaningful way to create an engaging and comprehensive introduction to the subject suitable for students of multiple disciplines.

Jennifer Remnant
Newcastle University

Dan Goodley provides a lucid and comprehensive introduction to a diverse and globally expanding field, updating a work that is already essential reading, and further solidifying his position as a key figure in critical Disability Studies.

Jan Grue
University of Oslo

Dan Goodley’s second edition is as engaging, enthusiastic and readable as the first edition. I love the way he looks at the depth of both theory as well as praxis. He never forgets to weave Individual subjectivities in a contextualised way, which to me is simply stunning. He bridges the gap between the Global North and South, and creates a possibility for meaningful conversations.  Diverse and complex, the interdisciplinary character of Disability Studies will be a treat for the students as well as faculty. 

Anita Ghai
Ambedkar University

Incisive, accessible, and deeply relevant to the social and political concerns of the 21st century, Goodley's updated interdisciplinary introduction to the field of disability studies is a pedagogical gift. By inviting us to think about disability as a category that is both discursive and material – and thus decidedly cultural – Goodley has crafted an essential tool for teaching and learning about the question of the human.

Anne McGuire
University of Toronto

This is clearly an important new book, drawing together literature from around the globe and therefore highlighting important cultural, political and educational concepts within the field of disability studies.  (It is) A very good and concise introduction to the field, more suited to post-graduate students, perhaps those carrying out their own research within the field of disabilities or those experienced and leading within disability practice.

Helen Goulding
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities

For me it was a call for self-reflection and awareness, it compiles overarching research and advice which I hope generates action towards making communities and schools more supportive and welcoming.

Andrew Skinner
Dyslexia Review

Critical and Reflective practice has anti-oppressive practice at its heart and the module focusses on a range of issues where we students are beginning to understand the meaning of the 'dominant narrative' and gaining an understanding of multiple oppression / intersectionality. This text offers students greater insights into a radical perspective on disability.

Ms Linda Daley
School of Social Policy, Sociology & Social Research, University of Kent
July 1, 2023

This is an excellent well written book that is particularly suitable for research students interested in disability and inclusion. It explores extensively the range of discourses impacting on contemporary understanding of disability and inclusion and the impact this consequently has on policy development. It is a very thought provoking read, that opens both historical and current concepts of disability.

Mrs Criona Madeline Blackburne
Early years Department, Portobello Institute
December 14, 2016

This text presents an extremely diverse approach to disability studies and allows the reader to consider a range of contexts and social constructions as a means of informing knowledge. It presents a truly multi-disciplinary foundation for disability.

Ms Lorraine Anne Loveland-Armour
Department of Education, Newman University
October 6, 2016

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