Disability and Human Rights: Activism and Practice in the Modern World

Shengeliya_Disability is Political

Faculty:

Fall 2025: September 1, 2025 – December 19, 2025
Schedule: Tue 16:10 – 19:10 CET | 10:10 – 13:10 EDT
Subject: HR
Level: 100
Credits: 4 US / 8 ECTS
Max Enrollment: 22
Language of Instruction: English
Prerequisites:No
This course explores disability as a site of political struggle, social construction, and collective resistance. We will examine how disability is shaped by cultural narratives, state systems, and global inequalities—especially under authoritarian regimes—and how disabled people and their allies have organized for dignity, rights, and justice. Through comparative case studies (Russia, the US, the UK, Sweden), we will engage with questions of institutional violence, reproductive and sexual autonomy, intersectionality, and community care. Grounded in the instructor’s experience as a disability rights activist, this course offers space for reflection, critical analysis, and envisioning transformative futures.

Guidelines for the Statement of Purpose:
Craft a reflective statement of purpose explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. The file should be saved with your name and course title as the filename and uploaded accordingly. Your statement’s clarity and substance will significantly influence our selection. Convey your motivations and aspirations for this course succinctly but thoroughly. Kindly write your statement in the course’s Language of Instruction.

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Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative
Introduction and Application Instructions

Use the Latin alphabet for all entries on the portal, including your name. If the Language of Instruction is Russian, you may use Cyrillic only within the Statement of Purpose.

Refrain from using email addresses in domains ru or by or associated with Russian or Belarusian educational or state institutions.

Consider drafting your motivation letter ahead of time

Пожалуйста, используйте латиницу при заполнении всех полей на портале, включая имя и фамилию.

Даже если язык обучения на курсе - русский, кириллицу можно использовать только в тексте мотивационного письма.

Просим не использовать адреса электронной почты в доменных зонах ru или by, а также адреса, связанные с российскими или белорусскими государственными или образовательными учреждениями.

Рекомендуем заранее подготовить мотивационное письмо.  


Completing the Application

After completing the application you will be asked to sign the Administrative Review Authorization and the Application Certification. After signing each you will receive an email to verify that you signed those documents. Your application is not considered complete until they are signed.

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Questions? Write to us at [email protected]
Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative




Afghan Female Student Outreach, Al-Quds Bard, Al-Quds University, AltLiberalArts, American University of Afghanistan, American University of Beirut, American University in Bulgaria, American University of Central Asia, Ashesi University, Bard College, Bard College Berlin, BRAC University, Central European University, European Humanities University, Haitian Education and Leadership Program, Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives, Institute for Philosophy, Belgrade, Kyiv School of Economics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Parami University, Rift Valley Institute, Talloires Network of Engaged Universities, Tuskegee University, Universidad de los Andes, University of the West Indies, Wits University




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A Liberal Arts Initiative


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Craft a reflective statement of purpose explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. The file should be saved with your name and course title as the filename and uploaded accordingly. Your statement's clarity and substance will significantly influence our selection. Convey your motivations and aspirations for this course succinctly but thoroughly. Kindly write your statement in the course's Language of Instruction.
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Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative
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