vcc.ca
ASLD 1130: Social Justice Perspective of Societal Systems and the Deaf
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Sign Language Studies
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
In this course, students will develop a basic understanding of critical social justice principles—access, equity, participation, and human rights—as it relates to the Deaf community. Students will learn foundational skills in using the bilingual-bicultural social justice framework to explore topics and issues related to the language spectrum, Deaf education, audism, and challenges facing Deaf families within the Deaf community. Students will also self-reflect to foster an awareness of their own identities as they engage with the Deaf community.
Credits
3.5
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:
- Define principles of social justice, advocacy and allyship.
- Analyze scenarios involving the Deaf community and apply the characteristics of allyship to suggest responses.
- Reflect on their communication style, personal identity and worldview to increase self-awareness and engage respectfully with Deaf community.
- Identify different modes of communication within the Deaf community language spectrum.
- Identify benefits and limitations of technological advancements, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, mobile applications, and captioning services for Deaf individuals.
- Explain the historical impact of audism and how it has influenced language acquisition, educational practices, and socialization within Deaf communities.
- Define and compare the bilingual-bicultural social justice framework to the audist medical framework.
- Explain a family’s journey with a Deaf child from newborn through grade 12, considering programs and services available to support access, socialization, education, and barriers to access.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 54
Total Hours: 54
Total Hours: 54
Instructional Strategies
Class activities focus primarily on group discussion, but also include small-group tasks, viewing recordings, role-plays, field studies, guest panel discussions, reflective writing, and student presentations.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
B- (68%)
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
25% |
Debate |
|
Assignments |
15% |
Scenarios |
|
Project |
30% |
Personality Assessments Part 1 – Forum – 10% |
|
Assignments |
20% |
2 at 10% each related to fieldtrips |
|
Participation |
10% |
Group / forum discussions |
Course topics
- 1. Social Justice Framework a. Advocate vs. Ally b. Characteristics of allyship c. Bicultural-bilingual framework
- 2. Communication Skills a. Principles of communication & active listening b. Language spectrum: VGC, ASL, SEE, contact sign c. Simultaneous communication (sim com) d. Technological advancements for deaf community: benefits and challenges e. Internal and external barriers to communication
- 3. Understanding Audism a. Historical impact of 1889 Milan conference, audism and oralism b. Cultural vs. Audist views of deafness c. BC's newborn hearing screening & early intervention resources
- 4. Advancing Deaf Rights a. Assessment of programs & services in BC b. Mental health services and legal interfacing c. Relevant legislation: Canadian Charter, Accessibility Act, UN conventions d. Advocacy issues: VRS, recognition of sign languages
- 5. Educational Placement Options a. Comparison of K-12 Options: Mainstreaming, Specialized Programs, BC School for the Deaf
Learning resources
Is Everyone Really Equal Second Edition by Ozlem Sensory and Robin DiAngelo,
So You Want to Be an Interpreter 5th edition by Janice H. Humphrey, William F. Ross III, LeWana M.
Clark and Joseph Featherstone
Articles and resources
So You Want to Be an Interpreter 5th edition by Janice H. Humphrey, William F. Ross III, LeWana M.
Clark and Joseph Featherstone
Articles and resources
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.