ASL 120 - Introduction to the American Deaf Community

• Understand the general themes and issues in the realms of Deaf history, Deaf Culture and American Sign Language (ASL).
  • Be able to summarize important themes in the realm of the Deaf Community
  • Understand historical events that continue to impact the Deaf communities today.
  • Appreciate the continual impact of oralism.
  • Understand the contrast in the Deaf communities in America and other countries.
• Develop an understanding of the recorded history of Deaf people and the basic ideas of ASL.
  • Distinguishes Biblical views of Deaf people in the Old and New Testaments.
  • Contrasts Socrates and Platos views of Deaf people.
  • Recognizes historical attempts of fixing, saving and educating the Deaf people in medical, religious and educational fields.
  • Explores communication systems: oralism, Manually Coded English, Cued Speech
  • Reviews the history and formation of standardized ASL.
  • Appreciates the contribution of Dr. William Stokoe and his contribution to ASL.
  • Reviews the basic linguistics of ASL: phonology, morphology, and syntax.
• Understand issues in the Deaf communities and ASL in the broader social context.
  • Describes the views upon Deaf people by people in different fields.
  • Reviews the history of Deaf education and the merger with the medical field.
  • Examines collective activism that has enhanced and increased accessibility and rights for Deaf people.
• Understand deaf studies by completing an expository paper on one of the following: Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, Milan 1880 (oralism) or the Deaf President Now Movement.
  • Enhance ability to utilize library and internet-based resources.
  • Further develop the ability to express oneself in written form.
• Develop appreciation for deaf culture through actual participation in a Deaf event in the MD/DC/VA area to observe cultural value and norms.
  • Explores the Deaf community for evidence of cultural norms, values, arts, literature and/or current trends.