EDUC 7307 Global Perspectives on Disabilities and Special Education

In the modern world there are many differing perspectives about the significance of disabilities. In this course we examine both "medical model" perspectives on the origin and nature of disabilities, as rooted in the scientific method, and post-modern critical perspectives. Cultural influences on how those perspectives are valued will also be considered. Differing approaches to special education practice--both service delivery systems and interventions--will be critically compared to the thought traditions. The ethics and social value of special education will also be considered.

Course overview

Department
Teacher Education and Curriculum and Instruction
School
Lynch
Credits
3
Level
Graduate
Offered
Every Fall

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
3.39 / 5 · Good
98 responses
Instructor rating
3.93 / 5 · Very Good
98 responses
Terms evaluated
6
Most recent: Summer 2024

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Summer 2024Heather Francis3.43.53.43.94.13.64.23.04–6 hrs/week14 of 20
Fall 2023Richard Jackson—————————17 of 20
Spring 2023Haerin Park2.82.93.03.34.13.34.22.94–6 hrs/week15 of 19
Fall 2022Heather Francis3.74.14.24.23.94.04.22.81–3 hrs/week18 of 21
Summer 2022Lori Dunn4.34.74.84.84.54.54.73.5—6 of 14
Spring 2022Lori Dunn3.74.34.24.34.03.94.22.71–3 hrs/week28 of 44

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Sections

  • Section 01
    Summer 2026 · Jessica Hinson-Williams · On-line Asynchronous · Offered