Disability Studies is a relatively new but rapidly growing academic discipline, as illustrated by the international proliferation of courses, events, networks, journals, book series, monographs, edited collections, and so on.
Though drawing on this progress substantially, the Disability Studies MA differs from similar programmes insofar as it places particular emphasis on cultural issues. We are not only interested in the policies, prejudices, and professions around disability but also its representation in literature, media, film, art and so on. Liverpool Hope University is particularly well suited as a host for this programme on many counts. Most obviously, and indeed most importantly, we have a wealth of specialist staff and resources. We have a number of experts in Disability Studies, award winning tutors, and internationally recognised scholars and researchers. What is more, the regional, national, and international profile of the programme is enhanced greatly by the Centre for Culture & Disability Studiesand, by extension, the Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, the Literary Disability Studies book series, the on-going seminar series, and the International Network of Literary & Cultural Disability Scholarsthat is housed at Liverpool Hope University.
Careers
Students completing the MA will be well placed to go on to a doctorate (EdD or PhD) at Liverpool Hope or elsewhere. Beyond the academy disability studies is relevant to many careers. 'Some industries seem to do better during uncertain times than others, states the Open University's website, and the number of people likely to need access to care services is predicted to double over the next 25 years. This fact only reflects a tiny aspect of the rich reality of disability but nonetheless invokes the truism at the heart of Disability Studies, that if we live long enough we all become disabled. As we are living increasingly long lives the need for a profound appreciation of disability is becoming increasingly great.
