LANG 290 - American Sign Language and Current Issues

Institution:

Wesleyan University

Subject:

Less Commonly Taught Languages

Description:

During this third semester of American Sign Language (ASL) study, students will continue to focus on language acquisition, while also examining the related ethics and controversies surrounding ASL, deaf culture, and disability issues in America. Several key questions will be considered: How are advances in genetic testing impacting the deaf community? What is the cause of a recent emergence of ASL in popular culture and the huge increase in university course offerings and enrollments? What is the "least restrictive environment" according to the Americans with Disabilities Act compared to day-to-day reality? Is the deaf community a cultural-linguistic minority group or a disabled population? Are cochlear implants a miracle cure, or are they a tool that is misrepresented in the media and/or an attempt at a form of cultural genocide? Why are many parents of deaf children forced to choose a faction of the ongoing oral vs. signing debate, often made to feel guilty by the advocates of the differing methods of education? Guest lectures and discussions will be conducted in a variety of modalities, such as spoken English, ASL, or simultaneous/total communication.

Credits:

1.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wesleyan.edu

Phone Number:

(860) 685-2000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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