Deaf Studies and Sign Languages Minor
American Sign Language (ASL) is similar to spoken languages in that it has its own grammar and vocabulary, but it is different in that it is a visual language used by the Deaf community in the United States. Students pursing coursework in Deaf Studies have opportunities for involvement in a program that provides personal and direct interaction with members of the Deaf community using ASL as the primary means of communication. Students can apply to study for one or two semesters at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C, the world’s only Deaf university, where they can experience full immersion in ASL and Deaf culture. Students can elect a minor in Deaf Studies, or, through CIS, they can develop a multidisciplinary major combining Deaf Studies with other disciplines within the College. Multidisciplinary majors incorporating ASL and Deaf Studies curriculum have included themes such as Literacy in Deaf Education, Deaf Studies and the Arts, Social Issues in Deaf Education and Language Acquisition and (Deaf) Culture.
American Sign Language and Deaf Studies Minor
Requirements
Students must complete six courses for the minor, including the following:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ASL courses: | |
| Intermediate American Sign Language 1 | |
| Intermediate American Sign Language 2 | |
| American Sign Language Comp & Conv | |
| Deaf Studies - two courses required by Deaf Studies that are regularly offered within the program: | |
| Introduction To Deaf Studies | |
| Deaf Literature | |
| One additional approved course with a focus on ASL or Deaf Studies taken at Holy Cross or another institution. This could be any of the following courses regularly offered at Holy Cross, or an approved course offered at another institution: | |
| Educational Psychology | |
| Dis/Ability Theory & Practice | |
| Multicultural Education | |
| The Deaf Community: Language and Culture | |
| Experience in the Deaf Community | |
| Music & Disabilities | |
| Sensation & Perception | |
| Developmental Psychology | |
| Psychology of Language | |
| Seminar: Language Thought and Culture | |