This course is about developing leadership skills and practical wisdom that facilitates the welcoming and affirming of people with disabilities into the public square. Jürgen Habermas defines the public sphere as, "By 'public sphere' we mean first a domain of our social life in which such a thing as public opinion can be formed." This course looks at how that public opinion has been formed in terms of disability by examining disability from the vantage point of the three publics originally outlined by Catholic theologian David Tracy: the academy, church, and the public square. Disability in this course includes everyone covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Discussions and course work will also include hidden disabilities and embodied vulnerability that everyone experiences. This broad focus on disability establishes its relevance and connection to all of us. First, we will focus on the academy and on how to be a theologian and leader who focuses on disability. In this course, we turn our attention to the practice of doing theology as a liberatory praxis to develop an understanding of how disability operates in our culture, and to build practical wisdom and leadership skills to combat ableism. The aim of this course is to help students develop transformative proposals for the church and society. In this exploration, we will pay careful attention to the central themes of disability, namely embodiment and marginalization.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.