Course

Deafhood: Global Diversity in Deaf Culture

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Sign Language Interpretation
Course Code
INTR 1285
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
Flexible delivery ranging over 2 to 15 weeks
Max Class Size
16
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
This course will provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of Deaf culture and to explore a new paradigm described as Deafhood. Definitions and theories of culture will be studied through a historical perspective of the lives of Deaf people around the world. Historical implications on current practices of providing services and education for Deaf people in the world today will also be examined.

Course instruction will be in American Sign Language.
Course Content

The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:

  • Deaf communities, locally, nationally and internationally reflect diversity similar to that evident in the majority culture
  • People working in the Deaf community need to comprehend diversity and the implications of diversity specific to Deaf individuals and groups
  • Variation in Deaf individuals’ lived experiences affect the formulation of identity and sense of Deafhood
  • Interpreters need to recognize and comprehend Deaf individuals and groups from a global perspective, rather than as clients bridging just two local cultures and languages
  • Sociological, psychological and educational perspectives need to be considered by interpreters working with Deaf individuals
  • Deaf individuals and Deaf groups are unique cultural and linguistic entities
Learning Activities
  • Lecture/discussion
  • Small group work
  • Guest speakers
  • Course readings/videotapes/handouts
Means of Assessment

This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:

  • Group presentations
  • Field research
  • Video-taped and/or written assignments
  • Attendance and participation

This is a letter graded course.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Recognize and describe Deaf cultural diversity in local, national and international arenas, including historical influences.  
  2. Examine the influence that society values and norms have had on the formation of Deaf culture.
  3. Explain the parameters, commonalities and diversity within the realm of Deafhood.
  4. Identify the influence of external factors on the formation of Deaf identity such as the historical lack of social acceptance.
  5. Discuss the subtle role of the medical profession in the definition of Deaf people and Deaf culture.
  6. Recognize historical milestones such as the impact of Socrates, the Milan 1880 conference, and the New Era 2010 initiative on the lives of Deaf individuals and communities locally, nationally and internationally.
  7. Differentiate between a fixed definition of “client” and a model that includes considerations of context in which Deaf individuals and groups exist.  
Textbook Materials

T.B.A.

Requisites

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for INTR 1285
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025