Disability Reading Lens

Assignment Outcomes

• Students will be able to read works of literature through a particular reading lens.

Relevant Course Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify and analyze the textual, historical, and cultural contexts of works of literature.

• Students will be able to read works of literature closely and thoroughly.

• Students will be able to develop insights effectively through written communication.

• Student will be able to identify the steps of the research process and apply information literacy skills in a variety of contexts.

Instructions:

1) Select one of our readings. You may select any primary text from the medieval period from Units 2-4 (see the Course Schedule).

2) You will then (re)read that text, looking at it through a Disability Studies reading lens (remember those reading lenses we looked at in the How to Read and Take Notes activity?).

3) You will then write up your analysis, discussing your reading.

Each entry will include:

• Minimum of 500 words

• A minimum of 2 credible, fact-checked sources (citing using MLA format and including a Works Cited)

Topics to address:

• • Close reading of text through disability studies lens

  • Connections to disability in the reading

  • Significance of the reading

  • Impact (as related to disability) of text on readers

  • Questions raised

Avoid:

• • Simple summary - this is about contextualizing the text, not just rewriting the plot (that would be the Plot reading lens!)

  • Broad statements about disability in the Middle Ages (this is a HUGE topic, and we have not studied it in full)

Turn in on Blackboard, under "Assignments"

For an example, see here: Life of Saint Mary of Oegines