ASL 305

Introduction to Deaf Studies

Spring Quarter, March 31 - June 6, 2008

 

Course Title / Number       ASL 305 / Introduction to Deaf Studies

Credits.                                 3.

Lecture Hours:                   MW  Time: MW 11:30 a.m. -- 12:50 p.m.                       

Classroom:                          JHN 175

Prerequisites:                     None.

 

Instructors:                          Lance Forshay, M.S.          &         Richard Ladner, Ph.D      

Office:                                    Padelford Hall A215                       CSE 632

Office Hours:                       1:30-2:30 p.m.  M & W                   (Please email for an appointment)

                                                10:30-2:30 pm. T & Th

                                                (Email me first)

E-mail:                                   lforshay@u.washington.edu      ladner@cs.washington.edu

 

General Course Description:

            An Introduction to the Studies of language, culture and community of Deaf people. The contents cover topics in Deaf history, education, sociology, language, legal issues, art & literature, audism, services for the Deaf, organizations, assistive technological devices, and the nature of Deafhood.  Several controversial issues will be analyzed such as Oralism, methods of Deaf education, signing systems, biomedical ethics (including cochlear Implants and genetic engineering), and student protest movements at Gallaudet (Deaf President Now 1988 and Unity For Gallaudet 2006).  This course also includes guest speakers from the community. 

 

Required Texts:          

 

Bragg, Lois, ed., Deaf World:  A Historical Reader and Primary Sourcebook, New

York:  New York University Press, 2001

 

Padden, Carol and Tom Humphries, Inside Deaf Culture, Cambridge, MA: Harvard

University Press, 2005

 

Assignments and Examinations:  

 

Lectures:

 

Detailed Schedule:

 

Reading List:

 

Organizations:

 

Test Taking Policy:
          You have to be in the class on time to be able to do the whole test.  If there are circumstances beyond your control that you should miss a test day, email me and explain your situation.  I’ll be glad to give you a make up test in my office.  You must have a valid reason for missing any test day.  There is one week limit for make up test from the test date.  I will not return any test until one week later so that every student will have the chance to take the test. 

 

Course Goals:

The overall goals of the Introduction to Deaf Studies are to have you understand, appreciate and respect:

1)                 Deaf language and culture as you would with any other languages and cultures.

2)                 The world view of Deaf community and work along with mutual respect and understanding.  

 

Course Grade Breakdown and Requirements:

30%    Mid-Term Exam

30%    Final Exam    

40%    Report

 

Course Grade Weight:

Course Decimal Grade

A         =          4.0       =          95%

B         =          3.0       =          85%

C         =          2.0       =          75%

D         =          1.0       =          65%

F          =          0.0       =          55%

 

Course Adaptations and Accommodations:

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. For information or to request disability accommodation contact: Disabled Student Services (Seattle campus, matriculated students) at 206.543.8924/V, 206.543.8925/TTY, 206.616.8379 (FAX), or e-mail at uwdss@u.washington.edu. Disability Services Office (non-matriculated students, employees and members of the public) at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@u.washington.edu. 

 

Outline of Course:

Topics:                                                                             Guest Speakers:

I.                     Deaf History                                                                                

a.       Pre-history to 1817.

b.      1817 to 1960.

c.      1960 to Present.

II.                   American Sign Language

a.      Linguistics of ASL                                                                

b.      Language oppression.

c.      Poetry and Literature.                                                           Vince Nuccio

d.      Deaf in Theatres and Hollywood.                            Nat Wilson

e.      Demographics and facts.

III.                  Deaf culture and world view.

a.      Communication Patterns

b.      Traditions / Folktales / Legends

c.      De’VIA Art                                                                              Rob Roth

d.      Norms and Values

e.      Deafhood and Identity.                                

f.        Audism and Deafism.

IV.               Perspectives on Deafness and Deaf community

a.      Medical

b.      Labels and “Politically Correct” terms

V.                 Deaf Community

a.      Definitions:  Deaf, deaf, Hearing, CODA, Late-deafened, Hard of Hearing.

b.      Sociology

c.      Sports and Recreation.                                                        Richard Jacobs

d.      Organizations of the Deaf      

                                                              i.      NAD / WSAD                        (Julia Peterson / Larry Schoneberg for WSAD?)

                                                            ii.      ASLTA                      

e.      Deaf-Blind                                                                              Jelica Nuccio

f.        Black Deaf People.                                                              Heather Clark

g.      International Deaf organizations and communities.

VI.               Deaf Education.                                                                          Theresa Smith

a.      Residential Schools.

b.      Post-Secondary Education Institutes.

c.      PL 75-194 and mainstreaming.

d.      Educational interpreter issues.

e.      Bi-cultural / Bi-lingual Philosophy.

VII.              Assistive Technological Devices                                              Richard Ladner

a.      Telecommunications

                                                              i.      TTY

                                                            ii.      Pagers

                                                          iii.      VRS                                                                           

                                                           iv.      E-Mail and Online Chat

                                                             v.      Future technologies                                                 

b.      Assistive Devices for Door, Phone, etc.

c.      Captioning for TV and Movies

d.      Dogs for the Deaf

e.      How do the Deaf people survive without technological devices in the past?

f.        Deafness and Hearing Aid / Cochlear Implants.

VIII.            Services for the Deaf.

a.      Interpreters / RID                                                                   Theresa Smith

b.      Interpreter Training Programs                                            

c.      State Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.                 Eric Raff

d.      Vocational Rehabilitiion

e.      VRS

IX.               Deaf and the Law (Guest Speaker:                                         

a.      National Association of the Deaf

b.      Eugenics

c.      Right to drive.  

d.      Right to adopt children

e.      Right to have a qualified interpreters.

f.        Right to use sign language.

g.      Watchdogs for State School for the Deaf                         

h.      American with Disability Act

X.                 Controversial Issues

a.      Oralism.

b.      Signing Systems and methods of Deaf Education

c.      Biomedical Ethics:  Cochlear Implants in children and Genetic Engineering.

d.      Student Protest Movement at Gallaudet University.

                                                              i.      Deaf President Now, 1988.

                                                            ii.      Unity For Gallaudet, 2006.