Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course introduces pathological and cultural perspectives of Deaf people and their community; Deaf history and organizations; and past and current perspectives on education. It covers services, employment, legislation, special technology, communication systems and attitudes toward languages and their impact on the Deaf community. It introduces basic terminology and explains the difference between signers and interpreters

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Apply an understanding of the two social perspectives on the Deaf community (pathological and cultural) and how they impact the Deaf community, in order to use novel and creative approaches to educating the public.
2. Using an awareness of the adaptations Deaf people have made, appreciate the creative, political, and technological developments of the Deaf community and their contributions to the larger society and world.
3. Use an understanding of the Deaf community, its history and culture to develop as allies of and ethical guests in Deaf society.

In class activities may include student presentations, group discussion, viewing videotapes of several topics related, and a panel from the deaf community. Students will be required to participate in at least one activity in the Deaf community.

Assessments will be done by quizzes, midterm, and final exams, and research papers, and student presentations.

Two perspectives of Deaf community, Deaf history, organizations, past and current perspectives on education, services, employment, legislation, signers vs. interpreters, special technology, terminology, communication systems and attitudes toward language.