HPS347H1

History of Autism Across Time and Cultures

What is autism? When was it first identified as a condition? How has its meaning changed over time? How does the autistic experience vary across cultures? This course covers the history of autism, the social understandings and cultural meanings of autism, and the autistic experience through time and across cultures. It introduces students to both historical and contemporary perspectives, including scientific accounts, cultural representations, and the voices of autistic people. Through the case of autism we will grapple with larger issues such as the role of medical and social views in shaping definitions of mental normality and pathology, the changing meaning of disability in different cultures, and the experience of living with a developmental disability.