vcc.ca
ASLD 1120: Introduction to Deaf Culture and Community
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Sign Language Studies
School
Arts and Sciences
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.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the historical and cultural significance of ASL in Deaf culture and its importance in daily cultural practices such as language, values, norms, tradition and representation.
- Define audism and recognize its systemic effects on Deaf people’s access and inclusion.
- Describe the history of Schools For the Deaf including education systems, structures and the controversy of educational methodology.
- Identify local, national, and international Deaf advocates and their contributions to promoting accessibility, inclusion, and equity.
- Identify the historical and current systemic barriers/challenges and success that Deaf people face in education, employment, and healthcare.
- Identify key elements of ASL and Deaf literature, films and theatre, sports, arts as resistance and cultural identity.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 45
Total Hours: 45
Total Hours: 45
Instructional Strategies
Class activities focus primarily on discussion of issues arising from books and articles, but also include
viewing videos, lectures and on-hand activities.
viewing videos, lectures and on-hand activities.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
B- (68%)
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
40% |
Unit assessments x 4 (10% each) |
|
Assignments |
60% |
Book/Author Report 20%, Deaf Hero study 20%, Case Study (audism) 20% |
Course topics
- Introduction: Introduce history of Deaf culture by describing the historical use and importance of ASL in Deaf culture. Describe daily cultural practices such as information gathering, traditions, values, norms, representation etc.
- Audism and the effects of audism and recognize its systemic effects on Deaf people’s access and inclusion; Define audism Illustrate historical and current systemic barriers as a result of legislation, policies based on audist attitudes of people who are Deaf.
- Education of the Deaf: Illustrate the changing landscape of education of the Deaf: Schools For the Deaf including K-12 education system, specialized education, mainstreaming, Gallaudet, RIT. Describe the Milan Conference of 1880. Deaf President Now
- Challenges and Celebration: Challenges: Accessibility, Inclusion and Equity Societal attitudes Education Employment Healthcare and service providers Successes: Medical Interpreting (Aldridge Case) Deaf advocates (local, national and international)
- Identify key elements of ASL and Deaf literature, arts as resistance and cultural identity. DeVia art Deaf Literature ASL Literature Films and Theatre Sports
Learning resources
Videos, articles and movies
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.