DEAF 2998. Entry to the Profession for Minors. 0 Hours.

Graded “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.” A required non-credit course for all candidates pursuing a minor in deaf studies. The course must be completed in conjunction with ASLS 2110, ASLS 2120, or prior to admission to junior level courses.

DEAF 2999. Entry to the Profession. 0 Hours.

Graded “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.” A required non-credit course for all deaf education initial certification candidates pursuing a VSU-recommended program of study. The course must be successfully completed prior to or corequisite with the first semester of professional graduate-level courses listed in the program of study. Candidates are required to establish an electronic portfolio, have passed or exempted the Regents’ exam, have a 2.5 GPA or higher, have a satisfactory criminal background check, and purchase liability insurance. If an “Unsatisfactory” grade is earned, the course must be repeated until a “Satisfactory” grade is received.

DEAF 3040. Legal and Ethical Issues for Deaf Education. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: DEAF 2999. A study of the legal and ethical aspects of special education and services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf with additional disabilities. Topics will include an overview of the U.S. legal system; discrimination, constitutional, statutory, and regulatory issues; and case law related to special education, with specific emphasis on deaf education.

DEAF 3100. Orientation to Deaf Education & Language Learning. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: INTP 2998 or DEAF 2999. An overview of the field of deaf education, with an emphasis on language development in children and adults who are deaf. Topics include anatomy and physiology of the ear, language modes, assessment instruments, and other topics pertinent to the field. Emphasis is placed on flexibility in using different modes of communication as they relate to stages of language development.

DEAF 3120. Learning, Cognition, and Social Development in Deaf Children. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: INTP 2998 or DEAF 2999. An introduction to the study of the growth and development of deaf and hard of hearing children and how being deaf may affect an individual’s educational, cognitive, and social development. The focus of this class is toward a general understanding of how being deaf or hard of hearing is influential in shaping the life experiences of individuals. Various perspectives regarding being deaf will be explored and examined in light of general theories of psychological and social development.

DEAF 3130. Orientation to Deaf Education: Communication, Culture, and Language. 3 Hours.

Prerequisite: DEAF 2999 or INTP 2998. An overview of the field of Deaf Education with an emphasis on communication, culture, and language. The focus of this class is a general understanding of how communication, culture, and language influence the life experiences and educational services of Deaf or hard of hearing individuals.

DEAF 3150. Deaf Community, Culture, & History. 3 Hours.

Prerequisites ASLS 2130, ASLS 3180, and INTP 2998 or DEAF 2999. Overview of the historical and cultural aspects of the Deaf community and the patterns of social change during the 19th and 20th centuries. Students will be exposed to ASL literature, including folklore, fiction, nonfiction, and drama.

DEAF 4050. Manual Communication. 3 Hours.

An introduction to manual communication. Emphasis is placed on skill development in the use of American Sign Language. Open as an elective to all undergraduate majors.