Course Description
This course introduces American Deaf culture and provides a comprehensive analysis of how Deaf people are understood from a cultural perspective. The identities, contributions, and experiences of Deaf people, as well as definitions, norms, tensions, diversity, evolution and history of the culture are explored.
Topical Outline
- The Study of Culture
- Deaf Cult-ure Defined
- The History of Ideas about Deaf People •
- Deaf People in America
- Deaf Experiences
- Values and Behaviors of American Deaf People
- Deaf People in the Educational and Social Service System
- Deaf History
- ASL (American Sign Language)
- Deaf Literature and Art
- Culturally Acceptable Behaviors
- Technology and Deaf People
- Organizations of Deaf People
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify and explain important features of American Deaf culture including American Sign Language (ASL), cultural norms, and identities.
- Recognize and analyze instances of oppression such as cultural appropriation, audism, linguistic discrimination, non-minority privileges, and ableism.
- Understand and explain the role of ASL in maintenance and preservation of Deaf culture/community.
- Demonstrate respect and appreciation of Deaf culture/community by using appropriate language/terms and culturally sensitive behavior when engaging within the Deaf community.
- Identify and describe notable Deaf individuals and their impact on the Deaf community.
- Identify and trace the history of education and significant events within the Deaf community.
- Recognize and explain the challenges facing the Deaf culture posed by technology, and through changes in educational policies.
- Describe and present perspectives on cultural debates occurring within and between the Deaf and hearing community such as the role of cochlear implants, culture vs. disability, and access to language.
- Discuss the experiences of minority groups within the Deaf community.