MLL 333 - American Deaf Culture

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C
Introduces American Deaf Culture, examines the impact of Deaf Culture on the Deaf community and Deaf education. Topics include how Deaf people are viewed, the affect on self concept/self identity, and Deaf Culture’s similarities/differences from mainstream American Culture. Class is taught in ASL.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division Area C requirements; and completion of Elementary and Intermediate levels of ASL.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 with grade C- (CR) or better; and MLL 232.
Equivalent Quarter Course: MLL 3902.
Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground, or Hybrid.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-C - Upper Division Arts or Humanities
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

The course is designed to give the student an opportunity to understand the basic concepts of American Deaf Culture, to appreciate the culture of Deaf people and to understand social and cultural factors causing diversity in the Deaf community and in D/deaf identity choice. Aspects of culture explored include:
- Cultural aspects of teaching Deaf children.
- The definition of culture and the distinction between American Deaf Culture and mainstream culture.
- The definition of diversity and the distinction between diversity of Deaf people and diversity of the mainstream population.
- How diverse cultures and communities form, grow, change and interact. This includes Hispanic/ Latino Deaf, African American/Black Deaf, Native American/American Indian Deaf, Asian/Pacific Islander Deaf, as well as LGBT Deaf.
- The role of American Sign Language in Deaf culture.
- Cultural beliefs and values.
- Patterns of social interaction and group norms.
- Deaf identity and diversity.
- Conceptual and practical methods for deconstructing racism/audism and white supremacy/oppression.
- Multicultural perspectives on ethics, democratic citizenship and civic responsibility.
- Deaf folklore and Deaf literature and Deaf View Image Art - De’VIA.
- Traditions and innovations in the artistic expression of cultural differences.
- History, structures and effect of bias, prejudice, bigotry and discrimination.
- Approaches and obstacles to cross-cultural understanding
- Collision between culture and disability of the Deaf community.
- The power structure within the Deaf Community.
- The role of Deaf persons in the community and the role of the Deaf community and cultural contexts in scientific, technological, environmental and health study.

UD-C. Upper-division Arts or Humanities Learning Outcomes

demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply the principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in the arts and humanities;
analyze cultural production as an expression of, or reflection upon, what it means to be human; and
demonstrate how the perspectives of the arts and humanities are used by informed, engaged, and reflective citizens to benefit local and global communities.