Education 750-850
Spring 2011 Introduction to Exceptionality
Course description
This course will provide students with opportunities through readings, class and Blackboard
discussion, guest presentations, and small group project work to enhance their understanding of the
personal and educational experiences of individuals with disabilities and their families. A variety of
disabilities will be explored including issues surrounding medical and family perspectives, societal and
medical constructs, access to education, and labeling. Information will be presented and discussed
within the framework of:
Medical
Family Perspectives
Societal and Medical Constructs
Access to Education
Labeling
Self-directed Services
Family-Centered Practices
Inclusive Schools
Inclusive Communities
Course requirements
 Attend class prepared (having read and thought about materials, on time completion of written
assignments)
 Actively and effectively participate in class discussions and small group project
 Complete assigned readings
 Write 4 reflection letters
 Participate in weekly Blackboard discussion (to access Blackboard go to:
http://blackboard.unh.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp)
 Complete sample futures plan.
 Complete small group case study project
 Final Take Home Exam
Required readings: In addition to the titles below additional readings will be posted on our
blackboard site. A complete bibliography of these resources will be included on the site..
Title
UNH Diamond
Library
Audible version
(Recording for the
Blind/Dyslexic)
Where to
purcahse
Treasures, Institute on Disability
Not Available
Not Available
In class
Simon, R., (2002). Riding the bus with my sister.
Boston, MA., Houghton Mifflin Company
PS3569.I4845 Z473
2003
RFB&D#: DTHC083
Amazon
Nolan, C., (1987). Under the eye of the clock: the life
story of Christopher Nolan. New York, NY, Dell
Publishing Group
PR6064.O39 U5
1988
RFB&D#: ABDL135
Amazon
Sharing Our Wisdom
?
?
Ginsberg, D., (2002). Raising Blaze: Bringing up an
extraordinary son in an ordinary world. Harper
Collins Publishers. New York, NY
Not Available
Available at
Amazon.com
Additional Readings
Course Schedule: (Highlighted weeks indicate that something is due.)
Date
1/31
2/07
Topics
Introductions, review of course
requirements,
Activity: First Impressions
Classmate Interviews
Pre test
Guiding principles and definitions
Family-centered practices
Inclusive schools and
communities
Self-determination
Film: Including Samuel
2/14
Medical and Family Perspectives on
the Presence of Disability: Beth Dixon
(confirmed)
Distribution of Case Studies and Small
Groups
2/21
Living with Labels and Self-Directed
Services
Roberta Gallant (confirmed)
IOD
Bookstore
Iod.unh.edu
Amazon
blackboard
Completed Assignments
Read:
Treasures
Roots of Exclusion
Least Dangerous Assumption
Watch:
Least Dangerous Assumption
Do:
Blackboard posting
Class bios
Read:
Riding the Bus with My Sister
Medical Model and the Genesis of Grief (bb)
Watch:
Lost in Laconia
Do:
Blackboard posting
Read:
Riding the Bus with My Sister
Labels and Attitudes (bb)
Watch:
http://aacliteracy.psu.edu/index.php/page/show/id/2
Do:
2/28
Access to Education for Students with
Disabilities
From Laws to Reality: Bonnie
Dunham (confirmed)
3/07
Class
In My own Language: Amanda Baggs
Work on small group projects
3/14
Spring Break
3/21
Living with Labels: Autism
Carol Ann Edscorn (confirmed)
3/28
Importance of Social Relationships:
Voice of Friendships
Circles of Friends
4/04
Living with Labels: Down Syndrome
Sarah Cooley
Blackboard posting
Letter #1 Due
Read:
Under the Eye
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUn6luZQaXE
Do:
Blackboard posting
Read:
Sharing Our Wisdom
Watch:
Jamie’s Story (bb posting)
Do:
Blackboard posting
Letter #2 Due
Read:
Sharing Our Wisdom
Watch:
Wretches and Jabberes Trailer,
My Classic Life as An Artist (bb)
Do:
Blackboard posting
Read:
Seeing the Charade Chapters
Under the Eye
Watch:
Sue Rubin’s Video
Do:
Blackboard Posting
Work on small group project
Read:
Under the Eye
Watch:
Standing Outside the Fire
Do:
Blackboard posting
Read:
Under the Eye
Watch:
tbd
Do:
Blackboard Posting
Draft Outline
4/11
Living With Labels: Support with
Assistive Technology
Therese Willkomm, PhD, UNH
(confirmed)
Read:
Raising Blaze
Learning Outside the Lines (bb)
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx1zC_8SMjM
4/18
Living with Labels: Michael Sgambati
and Kelsey Cramer (confirmed)
Life after high school and personal
futures planning
4/25
Living Well Together is the Best
Revenge of the Past
Jim Vincent-Piet (confirmed)
5/02
Case study presentations
5/09
Case study presentations and course
evaluation
Distribute take home final
Final is due via email to:
mary.schuh@unh.edu and
sarah.orourke@unh.edu
5/16
Do:
Blackboard posting
Letter #3 Due
Read:
Raising Blaze
Project Renew Manual (bb)
Watch:
Education Revolution Trailer
Do:
Blackboard posting
Read:
A New Paradigm (bb)
Do:
Blackboard posting
Sample Personal Futures Plan
Do:
Blackboard posting
Do:
Blackboard posting
Letter #4 Due
Blackboard posting
Grading and Evaluation
4 reading reflection papers (2-4 pages) 5 pts each
To be completed in letter format to the instructor on or before the date due. Letters
MUST reflect EACH of the following - readings, guest speakers, personal/professional
experience, class discussion, your overall impressions, and ongoing questions. Letters
do not need to be in APA format but they must be double spaced and edited for
grammar, spelling, and punctuation prior to handing in.
Class participation
Each student is responsible for being an active participant in large and small group class
discussions. Students will evaluate their own participation at the end of each class. 1 pt
for showing up and 1 pt for participation.
15 classes x 2 pts = 30
Blackboard postings
A class listserve will be established through blackboard and monitored by the instructor
and Teaching Assistant. This is a chance to pose questions and share insights and
information that might not otherwise be shared in class. Students are expected to pose a
minimum of one comment/question per class. Postings must be made prior to each
class in order to receive credit.
Small group project
Members of each small group are expected to work together to produce a presentation
designed to address the issues outlined in your real life case studies. Small groups will
be assembled during the second class and work together throughout the semester. Each
member of the group will receive the same grade for the final project. Final
presentations should teach knowledge and skills in a creative manner utilizing the
diverse talents of each member of the group. An outline is due prior to the presentation.
An annotated bibliography (APA style) must be handed in and distributed to all class
members representing the various resource materials used to develop the project.
Futures Planning Exercise
Class members will complete a sample personal futures planning exercise with someone
they know. This will be discussed and shared with the class
Final “Exam”
Take home exam to be emailed to the instructors
Grading
96-100 A
93-95 A88-92 B+
84-87 B
20
pts
30
pts
15
pts
20
pts
5
Pts.
10
Pts
79-83 B76-78 C+
72-75 C
65-71 C-
If you have a formal accommodation plan developed in conjunction with UNH’s ACCESS (Disability
Support Services) Office or would like to discuss with me the supports that you need in order to learn
well in this class, please contact me within the first few weeks of class. Adaptations and instructional
supports are available through consultation with the instructor, the ACCESS office, the Center for
Academic Resources, the Counseling Center, and Computing and Information Services. (For more
information go to: http://www.unh.edu/disabilityservices/rightsandresponsibilities.html)