K2SP 3665 - Disability Policies : Challenging the Structure of the Welfare State

Disability policies are often overlooked within the field of social policies, even though they are at the

heart of the construction of welfare states. Indeed, delineating the administrative category of disability is a

major issue, as it defines the contours of social solidarity, reserved for the deserving poor. However, the

political frameworks assigned to people with disabilities have evolved significantly, thanks in part to the

impetus of the individuals concerned themselves. The objective of this course is to highlight this evolution,

as well as the diversity of policies aimed at the world's largest minority. The variety of topics and countries

should help to rethink the nature of welfare states in light of disability.

Prerequisites readings for the course are: Shakespeare, Tom & Watson, Nick — "The Social Model of

Disability: An Outdated Ideology?", Research in Social Science and Disability, vol. 2, 2001, p. 9-28;

Davis, Lennard (dir.) — The Disability Studies Reader, New York, Routledge, 2006 – introduction;

Barnes, Colin & Mercer, Geof — "Disability, Work and Welfare: Challenging the Social Exclusion of

Disabled People", Work, Employment and Society, vol. 19, n°3, 2005, p. 527-545; United Nations —

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006; Committee on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities — Concluding Observations on the Initial Report of France, CRPD/C/FRA/CO/1, 14

septembre 2021

All of them will be available on the Moodle.

Mainly lessons and case studies. Two guest teachers should be expected.

Oral participation 30%

It is divided into two types of exercises.

1° Class participation: each student is expected to participate actively in class by presenting a brief review

of a book chapter or academic article at the beginning of a session. Reading is therefore mandatory.

2° Policy Lab: based on case problem sheets, students will work in groups to design an inclusive public

policy addressing a real-life social challenge related to disability. The aim is to mobilize course knowledge

(legal frameworks, accessibility issues, institutional tensions, stakeholder roles) within a co-creative and

socially innovative process. No prior preparation is required for this activity.

Written take-home assignment 30%

Students will also write a policy brief based on a case study of their choice related to one of the course

sessions.

This assignment will be divided into two parts: a first draft (introduction, context, and structure), which

will account for 15% (1,000 words), and a final version, which will account for 15% (2,500–3,000 words).

Written exam 40%

Students will sit a two-hour closed-book in-class examination. They will be asked to analyse a primary source document drawn from the field of disability policy and to answer one open essay question. No

documents or electronic devices are permitted.

Every week there will be an assigned lecture (between 15 and 30 pages), mainly articles. The full

bibliography will be made available on the Moodle.