American Deaf Community: Language, Culture, and Society

Undergraduate / Graduate

This course examines the linguistic, cultural, and social contexts of the American Deaf community. Through historical and contemporary perspectives, students explore Deaf identity, community formation, and the central role of American Sign Language (ASL) in Deaf life. Topics include Deaf culture, Deaf history, signed language structure, Deaf literature, and social issues affecting Deaf communities in the United States. The course also introduces students to the ways Deaf communities function as a cultural and linguistic minority whose primary language, ASL, differs structurally and typologically from English. Students examine how language, culture, education, and social institutions have shaped Deaf experiences across time. Class discussions and presentations will take place primarily in ASL. Students engage with course materials through readings, ASL videos, and discussion-based activities that highlight Deaf cultural traditions, community values, and visual modes of communication.