COURSE OUTLINE

SCHOOL OF DEAF AND DEAF BLIND STUDIES

Bachelor of Interpretation (ASL - English) - C302

COURSE NAME: Deaf Studies

COURSE CODE: BINT 1002
CREDIT HOURS: 28
PREREQUISITES: None
COREQUISITES: None
PLAR ELIGIBLE: YES ( ) NO (X)
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 3, 2019
PROFESSOR: James Etheridge
OFFICE #: 448E
EMAIL: james.etheridge@georgebrown.ca

NOTE TO STUDENTS: Academic Departments at George Brown College will NOT retain historical copies
of Course Outlines. We urge you to retain this Course Outline for your future reference.

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

ORIGINATOR:_________Phyllis Beaton Vazquez _______ DATE: ____August 21, 2018_____

CHAIR (SIGNATURE): _______________________________________ DATE: ___________

DATE OF REVISION: August 28, 2019

EQUITY STATEMENT:
George Brown College values the talents and contributions of its students, staff and community partners and seeks to create a
welcoming environment where equity, diversity and safety of all groups are fundamental. Language or activities which are
inconsistent with this philosophy violate the College policy on the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment and will not be
tolerated. The commitment and cooperation of all students and staff are required to maintain this environment. Information and
assistance are available through your Chair, Student Affairs, the Student Association or the Human Rights Advisor.

George Brown College is dedicated to providing equal access to students with disabilities. If you require academic
accommodations visit the Disability Services Office or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Office on your campus.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students should obtain a copy of the Student Handbook and refer to it for additional information regarding the grading system,
withdrawals, exemptions, class assignments, missed tests and exams, supplemental privileges, and academic dishonesty.
Students are required to apply themselves diligently to the course of study, and to prepare class and homework assignments as
given. Past student performance shows a strong relationship between regular attendance and success.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

COURSE NAME: Deaf Studies PAGE: 1

COURSE CODE: BINT 1002
This course provides the opportunity to critically analyze historical worldwide events in the Deaf
community. Emphasis is on society’s view of Deaf persons as contrasted to Deaf persons’
ideologies. Students engage in research on the impact of social-political and educational
movements and examine current topics in Deaf education.

COURSE OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course the students will have reliably demonstrated the
ability to:

1. Outline the impact of international events throughout Deaf history on Deaf persons
2. Discuss ways in which contributions by significant figures throughout Deaf history have
affected the lives of Deaf persons.
3. Analyze the effects of social and political movements on the history and evolution of
Deaf education.
4. Explain the impact on Deaf persons arising from differences between society's view of
Deaf persons and Deaf persons’ own ideologies.

DELIVERY METHODS / LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

This course is delivered via lecture, assigned readings, in-class exercises, student presentations,
group discussion and audio-visual resources. Individual learners are responsible for completion
of readings and assignments as outlined.

LIST OF TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER TEACHING AIDS:

Required:
● Blackboard Readings

Recommended:
● Holcomb, T. (2013). Introduction to American Deaf Culture. Oxford University Press.
● Peterson, R. The Unlearning Curve: Learning to Learn American Sign Language. Sign
Media Incorporated. Burtonsville, MD.
● Bring your own device (BYOD) – Smart Device with MS Word

ASSESSMENT POLICY:
Test dates will be announced in class by the Professor and can be found within this syllabus.
Students must be present in class on the day of a test. If a student will not be present for a test,
the student MUST send an email to notify the professor prior to class by 8:00 am. In
exceptional circumstances, accommodations may be considered for missed tests on an individual
basis at the discretion of the professor. Students who do not follow the above outlined
procedure will not be eligible to write the missed test and will be given a grade of zero (0)
on that test.

Plagiarism during test taking or in assignments (written, oral, videotaped, etc.) is a serious form
of academic dishonesty, which can result in disciplinary action. Please review the following
college policies regarding fabrication, cheating, forging or falsification of documents,
impersonation, and plagiarism: http://www.georgebrown.ca/llc/studytools/plagiarism/
and the Student Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy. All students have the right to an academic
appeal. For more information please see: http://www.georgebrown.ca/policies/

ASSIGNMENT POLICY:

COURSE NAME: Deaf Studies PAGE: 2

COURSE CODE: BINT 1002
 Assignment due dates will be announced in class by the professor and can be found within this
syllabus. For written papers, students are expected to follow the guidelines of the American
Psychological Association (APA) 6th Edition in preparing written work unless otherwise
stated. Students must proof read work prior to submission. For additional information, refer to
your APA 6th Edition manual and see https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/

Note: Written assignments must be emailed to the instructor on the due date specified by 8:00
am. Late assignments will not be accepted. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the
professor immediately if there are any issues preventing them from participating and completing
the assigned work.

● For presentation assignments, students are required to be present on the day of all
scheduled presentations. Absence on the day of your scheduled presentation will
result in a grade of zero unless an accommodation has been granted prior to the
scheduled day. Extenuating circumstances must be discussed with the professor
BEFORE the due date. The student should not assume that an extension will be granted.

● For video assignments, students are expected to follow ASL APA guidelines. Please see
in class handout and blackboard for in-depth guidelines.

Students are required to read the weekly assigned readings prior to class and be fully
prepared to discuss and engage classmates.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Regular attendance is expected due to in class discussions and group work. Please contact the
course professor if you are unable to attend class before class commences (8:00 am). In the event
you are delayed, please join the class with as minimal disruption as possible to the other students.
Latecomers to class are responsible for announcements, and the collection of notes or handouts.

LANGUAGE POLICY:
As a student of the Honours Bachelor of Interpretation (ASL-English), students are required to
use American Sign Language while in class and when in the presence of Deaf persons. This
ensures full, equal and accessible participation for all students and faculty. Please see the
program handbook for further information regarding this policy.

EVALUATION SYSTEM:
Assessment Tool Description Outcome(s) Date/Week % of Final
Grade
Reflection Papers (2) Written reflections of class themes 1, 2, 3, 4 Weeks 6 and 14 20%
and discussions. Guidelines &
Rubric will be available in your
Course Blackboard.
Individual In class 5 minute ASL presentation 2, 4 Weeks 5 – 6 and 20%
Presentation of a Deaf person who has Weeks 9 - 14;
contributed to the Deaf community. (presentation topics to
Guidelines & Rubric will available coincide with topical
outline themes)
in your Course Blackboard.

COURSE NAME: Deaf Studies PAGE: 3

COURSE CODE: BINT 1002
 International Week of 5W’s of IWD Summary & Week 5 10%
The Deaf Written Reflection paper. Guidelines & 1, 2
Reflection Rubric will be available in your
Course Blackboard.
Film Review or Book 5 minute ASL video summary of a 1, 2 and 4 Week 7 – in class 30%
report film/TV show or novel with a Deaf sharing due
character. Guidelines & Rubric will
be available in your Course
Blackboard.
ASL Reflection In class pairs videotaped dialogue 1, 2, 3 Week 15 20%
Opinion Dialogue synthesizing and analyzing a topic and 4
of student’s choosing from weekly
themes. Guidelines & Rubric will
be available in your Course
Blackboard.
TOTAL 100%

GRADING SYSTEM
The passing grade for this course is: 60%
A+ 90-100 4.0 B+ 77-79 3.3 C+ 67-69 2.3 Below 60 F 0.0
A 86-89 4.0 B 73-76 3.0 C 63-66 2.0
A- 80-85 3.7 B- 70-72 2.7 C- 60-62 1.7

Excerpt from the College Policy on Academic Dishonesty:

The minimal consequence for submitting a plagiarized, purchased, contracted, or in any manner inappropriately
negotiated or falsified assignment, test, essay, project, or any evaluated material will be a grade of zero on that material.
To view George Brown College policies please go to www.georgebrown.ca/policies

TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Students should be aware that the topical outline is the plan for the course but that the order of topics may vary in
response to current events, student questions, and resource material, etc.
Week Topic/Task Outcome(s) Content/Activities/Resources
1 Introduction to Course & Assignments 4 Course outline
Sept 4 Perspectives of Deaf persons Disability versus
sociocultural view
● Human rights view
2 Historical perspectives of Deaf persons 1, 4 Video - Telling Stories
Sept 11 ● Greco - Roman period
● The Bible - Old and New Testaments
● Justinian Code

3 Historical perspectives on the language of signs and deaf 1, 2, 4 Blackboard readings

Sept 18 persons
● Aristotle and Socrates
● History of Fingerspelling Choice of Film/Novel due
● Early Deaf education (Spain and France) Presentation topics due
● Methodical Signs versus Natural Sign Languages

4 International Week of the Deaf 1,2,4 www.wfd.com

Sept 25 World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

5 Integrated Signing Communities 1,2,4 Groce, N. E. Everyone here Spoke

Oct 2 ● Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language
COURSE NAME: Deaf Studies PAGE: 4
COURSE CODE: BINT 1002
 ● Bedoins IWD Summary and Reflection due
Student Presentations (3)
6 Historical perspectives on the language of signs 1, 2, 4 Blackboard readings
Oct 9 ● Early Deaf Education in the US and Canada Video - George Veditz, The
● The development of ASL as a natural language Preservation of ASL, 1913
and dominant language of instruction Reflection #1 due
Student Presentations (3)
7 TV and Media 4 Schuchman, J. S. (1999). Hollywood
Oct 16 Film/Novel Review student presentations Speaks, Deafness and the Film
Entertainment Industry
Film/Novel Review Due
In class sharing and reflection of
films/novels viewed by students
8 INTERSESSION WEEK - NO CLASSES
9 Changes in the perspectives of “The language of signs” 1, 2,3, 4 Blackboard readings
Oct 30 (1880’s) Video – History through Deaf Eyes
● Milan Conference (oral/manual controversy)
● AG Bell and Eugenics Student Presentations (3)
● Hitler’s Europe

10 Changes in the perspectives of Sign Language - Research 1,2,4 Video – History through Deaf Eyes
Nov 6 on ASL (1960’s) ASL PAH! Deaf students
● W. Stokoe’s research perspectives on their language
● Klima and Bellugi Student Presentations (3)
● Valli and Lucas
11 ● Artificial sign systems and Manual English codes 1, 2, 4 Blackboard readings
Nov 13 (1970’s) Video – History through Deaf Eyes
● Bill 82, Mainstreaming Student Presentations (3)

12 Deaf Activism (1980’s) 1, 2,3, 4 Blackboard readings

Nov 20 ● Deaf President Now (DPN) Video - Deaf President Now
● Protest Deaf Ontario Now (DON Video -The Power and the Promise
● Ontario Review of Deaf Education) Video - Deaf Ontario Now
Student Presentations (3)
13 Deaf Education Legislation 2,3, 4 Video – Bilingual Bicultural
Nov 27 (1990’s) Education for your Deaf Child
● Recognition of ASL as a language of instruction
● Bilingual/Bicultural education policy Student Presentations (3)
14 Current perspectives on ASL and Deaf persons 3,4 Reflection #2 Due
Dec 4 ● The popularity of ASL with non – deaf population Student Presentations (3)
● Baby signs
● Language Rights and recognition
15 Student Video Reflection Dialogues 1, 2, 3, 4 Student Video Reflection Dialogues
Dec 11
Please note: this schedule may change as resources and circumstances require.
For information on withdrawing from this course without academic penalty, please refer to the College Academic Calendar link
(http://www.georgebrown.ca/Admin/Registr/PSCal.aspx)

COURSE NAME: Deaf Studies PAGE: 5

COURSE CODE: BINT 1002