DEAF STUDIES

Program List

Associate in Arts Degree

The Associate degree in Deaf Studies will give students competence in American Sign Language and an appreciation for the culture, contributions, and contemporary issues of deaf people. Course work is designed to provide information on the linguistic, historical, and cultural background of the deaf community, with particular emphasis on the perspective of deaf people acculturated in a hearing society. This degree is constructed for either career or transfer students. This program pre-pares students for job opportunities as teachers’ aids, residential program counselors, job coaches, communication specialists, deaf community advocates, and paraprofessionals with the deaf. Also, the program prepares students for transferring into Bachelor’s degree programs, such as those at Boston University, Northeastern University, Gallaudet University with a major in Deaf Studies, Deaf Education, Counseling, or related majors.

Advisor: Job Ayantola, jayantola@nwcc.commnet.edu, 860-738-6370

Anna Rinaldi, arinaldi@nwcc.commnet.edu, 860-738-6379
General Education Requirements
   ENG*101 Composition 3

Literature or Communication

 ENG*102 Literature & Composition 3
Behavioral Science PSY*111 General Psychology I 3
Humanities/ Arts   Humanities/ Arts Elective 3
Mathematics MAT* Mathematics Elective 1 3
Natural/ Physical Science   Natural  Science Elective 3 (4)
Social Science   Social Science Elective 3
Liberal Arts PSY*204 Child & Adolescent Development 3
         24 (25)
Program Requirements
  

  

 Program Elective 1 3
      Program Elective 1 3
         6
Specialized Program Requirements
  

ASL*101

 American Sign Language I 3
   ASL*102 American Sign Language II 3
   ASL*201 American Sign Language III 3
   ALS*202 American Sign Language IV 3
   ASL*205 Linguistics of ASL 3
  DSC*101 Visual/Gestural Communication 3
  DCS*114 Intro to Deaf People & Deaf Culture I 3
  DCS*214 Intro to Deaf People & Deaf Culture II 3
  DCS*218 Selected Topics in Deaf Studies 3
  DSC*219 ASL Literature 3
  DSC*222 Field Experience in Deaf Studies 3
      33
    Total 63 (64)

1 ANT* 101, PSY* 245, PSY* 260 or SOC* 101

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates should be able to:

  1. Communicate at an advanced level using American Sign Language.
  2. Demonstrate an in-depth under-standing of and sensitivity to American deaf culture.
  3. Describe the major characteristics of ASL literature and story-telling.
  4. Understand the linguistical aspects of American Sign Language.
  5. Educate others with information on deafness and available resources.