ASL 201: Introduction to Deaf Culture

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2024
Credits: 2.5
Total Contact Hours: 45
Lecture Hours : 45
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 90
Total Student Learning Hours: 135
District General Education: C2. Humanities
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

Explores the cultural history, values, norms, and perspectives of the (American) Deaf community. Invites learners to re-frame the human experience through an investigation of cultural differences. 45 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Summarize how Deaf culture has developed in the United States of America
  • Identify important historical events in the Deaf community in the United States
  • Correctly identify culturally appropriate medical and environmental types of hearing loss.
  • Apply content knowledge of technological resources and services available to the Deaf population.
  • Participate in group discussions
  • Formulate a research paper on Deaf culture topics.

Major Course Content

  1. Group dynamics 
    1. Introductions 
    2. Attention-getting methods
    3. Social interaction norms 
  2. History of Deaf culture 
    1. People in society
    2. Diversity in the Deaf community
    3. Family values
    4. Work ethics/Deaf in the workplace/
    5. Organizations 
  3. History of ASL
    1. History of sign language in other countries
      1. Spain
      2. Germany
      3. England
      4. France 
    2. Alice Cogswell
    3. Thomas Gallaudet
    4. Laurent Clerc
    5. Dos Lagos
    6. Helen Keller
  4. Causes of deafness
    1. Heredity (genetics)
    2. Birth defects
    3. Diseases 
  5. Deaf education
    1. History
    2. Teaching techniques
    3. Types of programs
    4. Placement issues
    5. Laws and regulations
    6. Support services
    7. Professional organizations 
  6. Devices utilized by Deaf people for everyday life
    1. Household devices
      1. Signaling systems
    2. Personal devices
      1. TTY/TDD
      2. Mobile Devices
      3. video relay services (VRS)
    3. Hearing aids
    4. Cochlear implants 
  7. ADA laws
    1. Deaf people’s rights
      1. Interpreting services
      2. closed captioning
  8. Well-Known Deaf people  who have influenced the Deaf culture 
  9. Applied ASL Linguistics
    1. Slang expressions
    2. Facial expressions
    3. Spatial aspects 
  10. Deaf Humor
    1. Jokes
    2. Puns
    3. Play on signs

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Compose a research paper on American Deaf culture.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 3: Arts and Humanities

3B. Humanities

IGETC Area 6: Languages other than English

Yes