Tuesday/Thursday, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, via Zoom
7/07 to 8/06 – 10 sessions
Course Description: As an introduction to the Sociology of American Deaf Communities, students will explore definitions of culture and the difference between culture and community, and the relationship of language to culture. Students will learn cultural concepts, including language, identity, values, rules of social interaction and traditions, within various Deaf communities. Students will apply those concepts towards understanding their effect on the individual and explore the current linguistic, political, social, philosophical and future directions within Deaf communities.
Performance Objectives: At the end of this course, the student should be able to:
explain common descriptions, structures, characteristics and cultural traditions of the American Deaf Community as well be able to compare and contrast the above with their own community and culture.
describe deaf identity, socialization, and membership into Deaf Community, as well as rules and dynamics of deaf-deaf and deaf-hearing social interactions.
explain American Deaf Community as a linguistic community, the role of ASL, and centers of meaning based on artistic expression from within the community; and public perception of deafness and deaf people in the arts.
describe the history, problems and issues in deaf education; the sociology of work, occupation and deafness; and deaf politics and political issues.
Required Texts
Bauman, H-Dirken L. (2008) Open Your Eyes: Deaf Studies Talking. MN: University of Minnesota Press.
Padden, C. & Humphries, T. (1988). Deaf in America: Voices from a Culture. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Online component
You will be working with CourseSites to augment our learning online. Details will be provided in class.
For access and tutorials in learning how to use CourseSites,
check the following websites:
https://help.blackboard.com/CourseSites/Student
Instructor Contact
The instructor will access Coursesites daily. Assignments will be graded within 3-5 business days. Email responses will be within 48 hours.
Rules of Online Conduct
This class is conducted in American Sign Language. As such, you are expected to follow Deaf Cultural behaviors and norms.
You are expected to sign at all times without voice.
Your audio must be on mute at all times during Zoom sessions.
Each student is to be visible from the waist up to include the entire signing space.
All cell phones and pagers are to be turned off.
Class starts promptly at 5:30pm. Please be online on time.
This class will feature a variety of opinions. Listen respectfully and if necessary disagree with civility.
Weekly Process
Students should do the assigned reading and Four Folds *before* each class.The Course Calendar lists any additional work to be completed each week. Instructions for each item can be found on Blackboard. Unless otherwise noted, all items are to be uploaded to Blackboard by 11:59PM of the due date.
Grading
Journals 30 points
Class discussion & participation 30 points
Research paper & presentation 15 points
Research Draft & Presentation 15 points
LENS Observations 10 points
Total: 100 points
Courses Outline
Tue 07/07 Introduction; American Deaf Population
Thu 07/09 American Deaf Communities and Cultures
Tue 07/14 Identity, Socialization & Subgroups
Thu 07/16 Deaf Politics
Tue 07/21 Deaf People and Work/Employment
Thu 07/23 American Deaf Community as a Linguistic Community
Tue 07/28 Laws & Education
Thu 07/30 Social Justice/Allyship
Tue 08/04 Arts, Media, Theatre and Literature
Thu 08/06 Final presentations
Technology Requirements
To complete this course students need the following technologies: access to a reliable high speed internet connection, a webcam, and video recording capability.
The following Microsoft programs are also needed: Word and PowerPoint. Comparable software should be able to produce either PDF, .docx or .pptx files.
Video editing software (iMovie or Windows Movie Maker) while not required is highly recommended.
Students should have access to the following accounts:
email Coursesites Office365
Students should also have access to some form of cloud storage
for the transfer of video files (Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox).
Course Requirements
Journals: 30 points; five journals & one summary, five points each.
After a class meeting, you will write a journal discussing your critical reflection of the readings/films, class discussion, and your learning experience about the topic; a total of five journals.
After your fifth journal, write a reflective summary about your progress. Out of the following eight dates, choose five: 7/09, 7/14, 7/16, 7/21, 7/23, 7/28, 7/30, 8/04.
Submit your journal entries to CourseSites as soon as possible however, all Journal entries and summary are due 8/06.
FYI: CourseSites Journal entries will only be seen by the instructor.
Research Paper: 15 points
One research paper (4-6 typed pages with cited references) analyzing topics covered in the course on the basis of either one of the following:
Literature review of a minimum of three professional articles or chapters/books and/or
Topic selected from Suggested Topics
Original research or personal observations of deaf and/or hard-of-hearing individuals in agencies, programs, schools and communities.
A Research Topic Proposal will be submitted via email to instructor by 7/11 for approval.
Approval & feedback will be given during the 7/14 class period.
An outline of your research paper will be submitted via email to instructor by 7/25.
Outline feedback will be given during the 7/28 class period.
Paper must be uploaded to Coursesites by 11:59 PM EST on 08/06/20.
For your research paper, use APA format.
Presentation: 15 points
You will give a ten-minute Powerpoint presentation about your research findings. Post your Powerpoint file on CourseSite by 8/06.
A rough draft of your signed presentation is due 8/01. The rough draft can be sent to the instructor via Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox.
Further details will be provided regarding file format and uploading procedures. Feedback will be given to help improve your presentation.
Point Breakdown: 5 points for Rough Draft, 10 points for the Presentation.
Class discussion and participation: 30 points
You are expected to be an active participant, and use American Sign Language as our class’ primary language.
To enhance your fluency with the language, you are expected to practice appropriate Deaf culture behaviors and protocols.
The use of Spoken English in the classroom is not encouraged.
In preparation for each class discussion you will complete 8 Four-Fold Assignments based on the assigned readings.
The Four-Folds are worth 24 points (3 x 8 = 24).
The remaining 6 points will be assigned based on your class participation.
LENS Observations: 10 points
Observe four cultural conflicts and analyze them using the LENS protocol.
After observing four interactions, a summary reflection is also required.
The four observations and summary are due 8/06. See handout for further instructions.