Course for international guest/part time students

Faculty

Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Needs Education

Organization

BGGyK Institute for General Theory of Special Education

Code

F-EN25-SNE-010

Title

Historical aspects of disability and special needs education

Usual semester

Autumn

Published semester

2026/27/1

ECTS

3

Language

en

Learning outcomes

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the historical development of societal attitudes and treatment of people with special needs, tracing its roots from ancient civilizations to modern times. Students will examine how religious practices, medical advancements and educational philosophies have shaped the treatment, advancement and life opportunities of individuals with disabilities. Topics include the evolution of institutional care, the rise of advocacy and disability rights movements, key legal and policy milestones (such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), and the transition toward inclusive education models. By analysing historical case studies and landmark events, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how past challenges and progress inform current practices and future directions. The wider aim of the course is to cover how ‘disability’ is constructed through time and space in different countries and cultures from Before Common Era to nowadays. By the end of the term students will have an overview how disability appears in the countries relevant to the participants and can reflect upon how diverse these interpretations and representations are. Special tasks of the course are to promote a global perspective and combine visions from both the Global North and South. Enhancing mutual respect of each other’s history and a common understanding of the different views and representations of disability are further crucial aims for the semester.

Course content

The curriculum blends historical and theoretical perspectives and conveys an intersectional approach. It combines Critical Disability Studies with a global perspective, ensuring that students engage with a broad range of histories, theories, and practices from various parts of the world. Each week balances theoretical content with recommended readings and real-world examples, scholarly readings and opportunities for reflection and discussion.

Assessment method

The course uses a learning management system (LMS): students follow the course on the University Moodle interface (https://moodle.elte.hu/ ) and complete their assignments there. Based on the points earned for the completed tasks, the student will receive a grade offered by the end of the first week of the exam period, which must be declared to be accepted in Neptun within a week. Registration for an oral exam is only required in case of insufficient grade or a grade not accepted by the student. The condition of applying for the exam is the completion of the prescribed tasks. (ELTE ORGANISATIONAL AND OPERATIONAL REGULATIONS 4.§ (2) 52/C, 67. § f), 68/B §) Method of examination, conditions for completing the course Component Description Weight Academic Reading and Quiz (auto graded) 5 low-stakes quizzes (5 questions each) on suggested class readings 20% Weekly Reflections on Disability Forum Short Moodle posts (min 5) engaging with the lessons and/or readings (between classes) 15% Special Education Source Analysis Participation in ‘Translating the Past’ research on AI-assisted translation of historical texts from Hungarian special education (reading, home-assignment, questionnaire, in-class discussions) 25% Final Research Assignment Research and presentation of a timeline on national/cultural/impairment-related disability history in groups/individually 40% Point limits for grades that can be obtained: Excellent: 85-100 points Good: 75-84 points Medium: 65-74 points Satisfactory: 55-64 points Unsatisfactory: 0-54 points

Bibliography

Blackie, D. & Moncrieff, A. (2022). State of the Field: Disability History. History, 107: 789-811. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-229X.13315 Marini, I. (2017). The History of Treatment Toward People with Disabilities. In Psychosocial Aspects of Disability (pp. 1–32). Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826180636.0001 Meekosha, H. (2011). Decolonising disability: thinking and acting globally. Disability & Society, 26(6), 667–682. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2011.602860 Rembis, M., Kudlick, C., & Nielsen, K. E. (2018). Introduction. In M. Rembis, C. Kudlick, & K. E. Nielsen (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Disability History (p. 0). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190234959.013.29 Rimmerman, A. (2012). Historical Roots and Conceptualising Disability. In Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities. National and International Perspectives. (pp. 9–32). Cambridge University Press.

Recommended bibliography

Al-Aoufi, H., Al-Zyoud, N., & Shahminan, N. (2012). Islam and the cultural conceptualisation of disability. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 17(4), 205–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2011.649565 Kudlick, C. (2018). Social History of Medicine and Disability History. In M. Rembis, C. Kudlick, & K. E. Nielsen (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Disability History (pp. 131–153). OUP. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190234959.013.29 Metzler, I. (2006). Disability in Medieval Europe: Thinking about Physical Impairment in the High Middle Ages, c.1100–c.1400. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203016060 Shakespeare, T. (2021). The Social Model of Disability. In L. J. Davis (Ed.), The Disability Studies Reader (pp. 16–24). Routledge. Zakaria, N. N. (2024). Unveiling Hidden Histories: Disability in Ancient Egypt and Its Impact on Today’s Society—How Can Disability Representation in Museums Challenge Societal Prejudice? Social Sciences, 13(12), 647. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120647

Programmes of the course