Disability Rights Movement Case Studies (taught in Russian)

Dates: March 24 - April 21, 2026
Day/Time: Tuesday 10:10 AM - 13:10 PM EST
Level: 300
Certificate: None 
Instructor: Vera Shengeliya, Smolny Beyond Borders
Language of Instruction: Russian 

This course explores the disability rights movement, focusing on the distinct approaches taken by American activists, British activists and academics, and Swedish reformers. Students will be introduced to the movement’s evolution and key figures and study the pivotal events that shaped the disability rights movement in the US, UK, and Europe. By applying a comparative lens, the course will teach them how to understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and the strategies employed to advocate for their rights within different cultural, social, and political contexts.

Credits: 1 US / 2 ECTS

Guidelines for the Statement of Interest

Please prepare a reflective statement explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. Upload the file with a title in Latin alphabet using the following format: yourLastnameFirstname_course title. The clarity and substance of your statement will play an important role in our selection process. Describe your motivations and goals for taking this course succinctly yet thoughtfully. Please write your statement in the course’s language of instruction.