Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

  • WED DE 300: Introduction to the Deaf World
    Designed to provide a general overview to the lives, orientations and typical experiences of American Deaf people who use American Sign Language. This course aims to understand some of the fundamental factors that impact the lives of Deaf People, both positively and negatively. Finally, we will generate ideas about how to enhance the general perspective of the Deaf World as a vibrant cultural and linguistic minority. The intention is for students to be better equipped to be advocates and partners with Deaf People. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, The Individual in Community, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • WED DE 340: Dynamics of Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice within Deaf Communities
    Examines theories and applications of diversity, dynamics of oppression, and social justice through a Deaf Studies lens. Explores the interrelated principles of social justice, equity, access, participation, and human rights, and the impact of these movements on Deaf communities. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking.
    • Critical Thinking
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Social Inquiry I
  • WED DE 350: Deaf History and Culture
    Analysis and discussion of the historical and cultural aspects of Deaf Culture; the influence of geographic, cultural, educational, and economic forces on Deaf people; and the patterns of social change during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Introduces students to specific cultural and historical experiences and acquaints them with literature in the field. 4 cr Effective Spring 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, The Individual in Community, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • WED DE 351: Deaf Literature and Visual Arts
    An investigation of the narrative traditions of the Deaf community that weaves together threads from a variety of disciplines and analytical perspectives resulting in a comprehensive study of literature, visual arts, performance, as well as culture. The study will provide insights into the fundamental role that literature and artistic compositions play in revealing culture and the natural inclination humans have to share "stories." Students become more thoughtful consumers of creative art and enhance their appreciation for the contributions of the Deaf World. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Aesthetic Exploration
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
  • WED DE 352: Capstone - Deaf Studies
    Students work collaboratively to create a large project that showcases the skills and knowledge they have acquired and benefits the Deaf community in some way. This course is intended for senior majoring or minoring in Deaf Studies. 4 cr. Either sem.
  • WED DE 354: Field Experience: Deaf Studies
    Students work in an agency providing services to deaf people for a minimum of one day per week. Supervision maintained in cooperation with the staff of the Deaf Studies Program and agency personnel. Specific placement depends on students' interests in particular setting or area. Instructor permission required. Var cr.
  • WED DE 372: Social Psychology and the Deaf World
    This courses explores the psychological, sociological, and educational constructions of Deaf people and how cultural, social, and medical models contribute to our perceptions about social arrangements, "bodies," and the politics of difference. We will use ideas from a host of disciplines, events, and experiences to illuminate how many of the issues related to the Deaf World are universal, human issues. Finally, we will hope to arrive at conclusions that showcase how studying the Deaf World can have many important implications for understanding human development. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Social Inquiry I.
    • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings
    • Social Inquiry I
  • WED DE 381: American Sign Language I
    Introduces American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture, focusing on frequently used signs, basic rules of grammar, non-manual aspects of ASL, introductory fingerspelling, and some cultural features of the Deaf community. 4cr.
  • WED DE 382: American Sign Language 2
    This is the second level of American Sign Language (ASL). It is designed for the further development of students' proficiency in ASL, focusing on somewhat less frequently used signs, more complex lexical and grammatical structures, and more advanced conversational skills. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Oral and/or Signed Communication. 4cr. Prereq: SED DE 381/581. 4 cr.
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
  • WED DE 383: American Sign Language III
    An intermediate course designed for students who have completed a minimum of ASL 2 offers a more in-depth exposure to ASL with an emphasis on receptive and expressive skills. This course will present further exposure to more sophisticated dialogues, vocabulary, acquiring ASL expressions, proficiency in ASL grammar and basic ASL discourse as well as register forms, pragmatics, and storytelling. Prereq: SED DE 382/582. 4 cr.
  • WED DE 384: American Sign Language 4
    An advanced course designed for students who have completed a minimum of American Sign Language 3. ASL 4 offers a more in-depth discussion in ASL with an emphasis on receptive and expressive skills. This course will present further exposure to more sophisticated dialogues, vocabulary, acquiring ASL expressions, proficiency in ASL grammar and basic ASL discourse as well as register forms, pragmatics, and storytelling. Prereq: SED DE 383/583. 4 cr. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Oral and/or Signed Communication.
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
  • WED DE 385: Applied ASL
    Open to students who have completed two years of ASL who are ready for advanced language training. This course will focus on the production, analysis, and evaluation of advanced vocabulary, syntax and register variation in ASL. 4cr, either sem.
  • WED DE 386: Academic ASL
    Focus on academic ASL in the bilingual teaching of content areas (English, Language Arts, History, Mathematics, Science) paying special attention to concepts vocabulary and terminology that commonly appear in the content areas. 4 cr.
  • WED DE 472: Sign Language Structure
    Covers the structure of sign languages, with a primary focus on American Sign Language. Topics include phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicology, language variation, psycholinguistics, and language emergence. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Scientific Inquiry I
  • WED DE 500: Introduction to the Deaf-World
    Designed to provide a general introduction to the lives, history, and culture of American Deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their vernacular language. The role of schools in the formation of the community and maintenance of ASL will be examined. 4 cr.
  • WED DE 501: Professional Seminar in Deaf Education
    Professional Seminar in Deaf Education
  • WED DE 503: ASL/English Instructional Methods: Content Areas
    MTHDS: CONTENT
  • WED DE 504: ASL/English Literacy Instruction
    MTHDS: LITERACY
  • WED DE 505: Topics in Speech, Language, and Hearing for Deaf Educators
    SLH FOR DEAF ED
  • WED DE 506: Teaching and Creating ASL Literature
    TEACH. ASL LIT