GWSS 335 A: Sex, Gender, and Disability

Autumn 2025
View in MyPlan View in Time Schedule
Meeting:
TTh 1:30pm - 3:20pm / SAV 131
SLN:
16175
Section Type:
Lecture
Joint Sections:
CHID 335 A , DIS ST 335 A
Instructor:
Joanne Woiak
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

Sex, Gender, & Disability

DIS ST/GWSS/CHID 335 A

Autumn 2025

Hybrid Instruction

Tuesdays on Zoom, 1:30-3:20pm

Thursdays in SAV 131 & Zoom: 1:30-3:20pm

Zoom class meetings URL: https://washington.zoom.us/j/96350133801

 

Book cover with title Sex and Disability. Drawing of two accessibility symbols that resembles a bra, and of a torso in underwear with a crutch extruding from the seam.

Welcome to the course and the new academic year!

  • We all understand that these are unique circumstances and difficult times. I'm here to support you. The course will follow a hybrid format that's designed to provide flexibility in how you access the content and how you show your engagement with the material. I look forward to teaching and learning with you this quarter!
  • The class scheduled for Thurs., Sept. 25th will be asynchronous. You will be assigned to view on your own a short pre-recorded introduction and a documentary film. Go to the Week 1 Module to get started!
  • Class will meet for the first time on Tues., Sept. 30th at 1:30pm on Zoom.  https://washington.zoom.us/j/96350133801

 

Getting Started

Instructor: Joanne Woiak

  • Email: jwoiak@uw.edu
  • Office hours: TBD on Zoom; and by appointment via Zoom or SAV 414

Course overview:

  • Please begin by reviewing this syllabus. The Canvas site will be set up by 9/24
  • Schedule of Topics & Readings
  • Policies & Grading & Resources
  • Please always check the Modules and daily Home Pages for all information and updates about content warnings, assignments, lectures, films, readings, and announcements.

 

Course Overview

Course Delivery Plan:

  • My plan is to teach in a hybrid format, and class will meet two times per week on this schedule:
    • Tuesdays: Class meets on Zoom only, 1:30-3:20pm
    • Thursdays: Class meets hybrid in-person in SAV 131 and on Zoom, 1:30-3:20pm.  Students may attend in either modality on Thursdays.
    • Class meetings join URL: https://washington.zoom.us/j/96350133801
  • All class meetings will be recorded for asynchronous access. There will be options for synchronous and asynchronous participation, and these options will be available to everyone. My intent is that this course will be largely discussion based.
  • I propose a community guideline that all of us who attend in SAV 131 wear masks if we can, foregrounding the Disability Justice principle of collective access. I also recognize that for various reasons wearing masks might create access barriers, so we will want to make space for students who need to go without wearing a mask. I will bring a box of masks to the classroom each day.

 

Assignments:

  • 15% Participation
    • Class activities will have synchronous and asynchronous options
  • 30% Reading Responses – write 3 papers
  • 20% Facilitating Discussion – do 2 days, individual assignment
    • Hand in: discussion questions, reading notes, and annotations
    • Help facilitate discussion synchronously in class or asynchronously
  • 35% Final Essay or Project 
    • 10% Pre-writing and peer workshop
    • 25% Final essay/project

 

Readings:

All of the required readings are on the course website as PDFs or external links. You can find them in Files and in the Modules. It’s expected that you do the required reading before class begins and be prepared to discuss your ideas, queries, and opinions. Consult the course website regularly for readings, film & podcast links, lectures, supplementary texts, and updates to the assignments.

 

Course description:

Sex and disability are two words that may seem incompatible. This course will examine the ways that disability, sex, and gender are connected as socially constructed categories. Our focus will be on what the field of disability studies (DS) brings to the study of gender and sexuality and how society predominantly understands these concepts. This course will involve thinking about disability, gender, and sexuality as intimately related social identities. Starting with foundational definitions and theoretical frames, we then discuss scholarship and narratives about the ways in which the sexuality of people with disabilities is experienced and represented, and apply an intersectional approach to disability, race, gender, and sex as identities and systems of oppression. We explore ways that disability studies, Disability Justice, feminism, feminist-of-color theory, and queer theory can complement each other or are in ongoing tension. Analyzing sex, gender, and disability together can transform theory, reshape sexual access for disabled people, reimagine the possibilities for gender and sexual expression, and contribute to public debates and social change. Course texts will include essays and films that link theory with lived experiences, helping us to understand how gender, sex, and disability are represented across different contexts and why this matters. The merging of disability and sex generates questions about the cultural meanings of the body, medicalization, reproduction, productivity, citizenship, access, privacy, desire, pleasure, privilege, and normalcy.

Methods of instruction will encompass class discussions and posts, lectures, webinars, and films. There will be synchronous and asynchronous participation options. The course content will be offered in a variety of modalities in order to provide as much flexibility and accessibility as possible. All class materials will be available for asynchronous access, and class meetings will be recorded. My goal is to support you this quarter in engaging with the course material while navigating hybrid learning.

Learning objectives for this course:

  • Critically consider connections between disability, gender, and sexuality.
  • Gain a theoretical background in the field of disability studies (DS) and apply its concepts to diverse texts.
  • Conceptualize how normalcy is co-constituted through gender, sexuality, race, class, and disability.
  • Understand the idea and significance of intersectionality of identity categories and experiences.
  • Apply class learning to self-reflection and envisioning social change.
  • Develop skills in communicating complex ideas related to disability and diversity.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of emerging issues, debates, and scholarship in DS.
  • Learning objectives for the Disability Studies Program

 

Access, disability and religious accommodations, and resources:

Accessibility and Disability Accommodations

The instructor is trying to create an inclusive learning environment. Your experiences in the class are important to all of us. If you anticipate or encounter barriers participating or demonstrating your learning because of any aspect of how the course is taught, I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible so that we can discuss options.

We can work in conjunction with Disability Resources for Students: Disability Resources for Students (UW Seattle) Email: uwdrs@uw.edu Phone: 206-543-8924. If you have already established accommodations with DRS, please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions.  Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS.  It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Note that while this is directly applicable to students who are registered with DRS, you do not need to disclose a disability or provide an accommodations letter to discuss accessibility. Please feel free to talk with me about any aspect of accommodations or accessibility.

Religious Accommodations Policy

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request. If you are unable to fill out the request but will need an accommodation, please speak with me as stated above.

Student Support Services:

Mental Health Services to Students:

Legal

Writing Resources:

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Catalog Description:
Examines ways that disability, sex, and gender are connected as socially constructed categories. Topics include the ways in which the sexuality of people with disabilities is experienced and represented, the intersection of disability and gender inequality, and how the field of disability studies relates to and can transform other theoretical approaches to gender and sex. Offered: jointly with CHID 335/DIS ST 335.
GE Requirements Met:
Diversity (DIV)
Social Sciences (SSc)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
September 26, 2025 - 1:58 pm