vcc.ca
ASLD 1230: Allyship and Accountable Collaboration
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Sign Language Studies
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
This course builds on the introductory concepts from the ASLD 1130 Social Justice Perspectives course. With a focus on positionality and privilege, students will analyze internalized, societal and systemic oppression affecting the Deaf, Hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind (DHOHDB) community. Students will deepen their understanding of how allyship may be lived out in different contexts.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
ASLD 1130.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Define culture and socialization.
- Identify and explain the stages of cultural learning.
- Differentiate between collectivist and individualist cultures and identify cultural conflicts between Deaf and non-Deaf cultures.
- Describe ethnocentric and ethnorelativist responses when engaging with Deaf and non-deaf cultures.
- Define key concepts and elements of oppression.
- Apply concepts and elements of oppression to explain internalized, individual, group, and institutionalized oppression that impact DHOHDB individuals and community.
- Define intersectionality and describe how intersectional identities create barriers for DHOHDB.
- Identify characteristics of benefactors of oppression and provide examples.
- Reflect on their own privilege, positionality and power within the DHOHDB community.
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 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 |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
30% |
Quizzes |
|
Assignments |
20% |
In-class activities such as mini presentations, reflections, group discussions |
|
Project |
40% |
Scenario Questions/Presentation (2 parts) |
|
Assignments |
10% |
Reflection |
Course topics
- 1. Culture and Socialization a. Definition and processes of Culture & Socialization, impacts on DHOHDB b. Collective vs. Individualist Cultures: Conflicts Between Deaf and Non-Deaf c. Ethnocentric vs. Ethnorelativist Responses d. Stages of Cultural Learning
- 2. Diversity and Intersectionality a. Intersectionality in the Deaf Community, privilege and marginalization b. Strategies for Promoting Inclusivity and Representation (of DHOHDB community)
- 3. Power, Privilege, and Oppression a. Stereotypes, Prejudice, Discrimination b. Automatic Privileges in Dominant Groups c. Key Elements of Oppression: Historical, Ideological, Institutional, Cultural d. Effects of Stereotypes and Microaggressions on DHOHDB e. Characteristics of Benefactors of Oppression in the Deaf Community
- 4. Action and Reflection a. External Systems and Personal Attitudes Contributing to Privilege b. Negotiating Unequal Social Power c. Developing an Action Plan for Advocacy
Learning resources
Is Everyone Really Equal Second Edition
So, You Want to Be An Interpreter
So, You Want to Be An Interpreter
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.