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.
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.
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