INTR 5340 - Deaf Culture

Three credit hours.

An interdisciplinary study of American Deaf culture and the factors that contribute to defining the Deaf Community as a distinct cultural minority, focusing on an awareness and understanding of cultural diversity and preservation of language. Covers the cultural identity, group norms, rules of social interaction, values, and traditions held by members who are deaf. Societal attitudes regarding deafness and issues such as cultural oppression and language power by the majority culture will be discussed, as well as the contributions of folklore, literature, plays and works of art made by persons who are deaf to the larger American culture and to their own community organizations. The impact of modern technology, emerging issues, trends and advocacy within the Deaf Community are presented.