About this course: This is a six-week course providing a historical overview of the American Deaf community and its evolving culture. Theoretical frameworks from sociology are explored. Deafness as a culture and not a disability is explained as participants are guided into the world of Deaf culture.
Who is this class for: This course is primarily aimed at first and second year undergraduate students interested in social sciences, language learning as well as the arts and humanities.
Created by: University of Houston System
Taught by: Terrell Brittain, ASLI Assistant Professor
Communication Sciences
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 2 hours per module. |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Module 1: Discrimination and Audism
Introduction to course and explanation of Civil Rights struggles for the American Deaf community. Detailed explanation of the term “audism”.
7 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Introduction of the Interpreter (English)
- Video: Introduction of the Interpreter (Sign Language)
- Reading: Grading Policy
- Video: Outline of the Course
- Video: History of Oppression
- Video: Audism
- Video: Instructor's Personal Experience
- Reading: Video and Article
Graded: Module 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
Module 2: What is American Deaf Culture? - An Introduction
Overview of commonly used terminology and jargon related to deafness. Introduction to the existence of Deaf Culture.
8 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Group Labels
- Video: Deaf & deaf
- Video: Hard-of-hearing
- Video: Deafened
- Video: Hearing
- Video: Hearing impaired Deaf and Dumb
- Video: Instructor's personal experience
- Reading: Video and Articles
Graded: Module 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Module 3: "My Child is born deaf" - Language acquisition
Summary and analysis of communication options for those that are members of the American Deaf community. Introduction of the impact of American Sign Language and the import of language acquisition for deaf children.
11 videos
- Video: Manually Coded English
- Video: Signed English
- Video: Total Communication
- Video: Oralism
- Video: Cued Speech
- Video: Home Sign
- Video: Rochester Method
- Video: American Sign Language
- Video: Language Comparison
- Video: Instructor's Personal Experience
Graded: Module 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Module 4: What is American Deaf Culture? - an Overview
Overview of the Core Values of the American Deaf culture. Explanation of the medical vs. cultural view of the American Deaf community.
10 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Cultural vs. Pathological view
- Video: Language/communication
- Video: Identity
- Video: Core values
- Video: Rules of Social Interaction
- Video: Tradition
- Video: Assistive Technology
- Video: Shared experiences
- Video: Instructor's personal experience
- Reading: Video and articles
Graded: Module 4 Quiz
WEEK 5
Module 5: Education and the Law as it affects the American Deaf community
: Discussion of U.S. Laws enacted that affect the American Deaf community and educational options.
11 videos, 1 reading
- Video: U.S. Laws & how they impact the Deaf community
- Video: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973-Section 504
- Video: PL 94-142 in 1975: Educationa for All Handicapped Children Act
- Video: Mainstreaming environments
- Video: Residential Schools for the Deaf
- Video: Day School programs-sample map
- Video: Oral schools for the Deaf: "listen, learn and talk" approach
- Video: Post-secondary education
- Video: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Video: Instructor's personal experience
- Reading: Video and Articles
Graded: Module 5 Quiz
WEEK 6
Module 6: History of American Deaf community
Summary of course objectives and final exam.
Graded: Final Exam
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University of Houston System
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Ratings and Reviews
Very interesting and loaded with information I had not learned before. Thank you!
I learned so much about deaf culture, most definitely appreciated learning about The Rehabilitation act of 1973 along with other laws that were implemented to protect those with disabilities. There is so much we take for granted, this course was great.
I am hearing and have just started a new job in a deaf related structure and I feel this course has been an awesome entry point in understanding the deaf culture.
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KA
I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I am hard of hearing and I knew some of what I learned but Professor Britten taught me a great deal more about deaf culture as well. I really enjoyed this course and all of the information provided. Professor Britten was wonderful as a teacher and very easy to follow. I would definitely recommend this course to many other people.