American Deaf Culture

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 3.9 stars Average User Rating 3.9See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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University of Houston System The University of Houston System’s four universities and six regional campuses comprise the only comprehensive higher education system serving the world’s energy capital and the Gulf Coast region. Among institutions nationwide, the UH System remains a model of diversity and a reflection of the city it serves.

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 expand

1. Video: Introduction of the Instructor
2. Video: Introduction of the Interpreter (English)
3. Video: Introduction of the Interpreter (Sign Language)
4. Reading: Grading Policy
5. Video: Outline of the Course
6. Video: History of Oppression
7. Video: Audism
8. Video: Instructor's Personal Experience
9. 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 expand

1. Video: Pop Quiz
2. Video: Group Labels
3. Video: Deaf & deaf
4. Video: Hard-of-hearing
5. Video: Deafened
6. Video: Hearing
7. Video: Hearing impaired Deaf and Dumb
8. Video: Instructor's personal experience
9. 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 expand

1. Video: Communication Options
2. Video: Manually Coded English
3. Video: Signed English
4. Video: Total Communication
5. Video: Oralism
6. Video: Cued Speech
7. Video: Home Sign
8. Video: Rochester Method
9. Video: American Sign Language
10. Video: Language Comparison
11. 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 expand

1. Video: Language transmits culture
2. Video: Cultural vs. Pathological view
3. Video: Language/communication
4. Video: Identity
5. Video: Core values
6. Video: Rules of Social Interaction
7. Video: Tradition
8. Video: Assistive Technology
9. Video: Shared experiences
10. Video: Instructor's personal experience
11. 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 expand

1. Video: Deaf culture
2. Video: U.S. Laws & how they impact the Deaf community
3. Video: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973-Section 504
4. Video: PL 94-142 in 1975: Educationa for All Handicapped Children Act
5. Video: Mainstreaming environments
6. Video: Residential Schools for the Deaf
7. Video: Day School programs-sample map
8. Video: Oral schools for the Deaf: "listen, learn and talk" approach
9. Video: Post-secondary education
10. Video: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
11. Video: Instructor's personal experience
12. 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