LING079 - Pgs Global Deaf Rights

This course explores the linguistic and social statuses of global Deaf communities with respect to language rights and efforts toward parity with spoken language communities. We will begin by providing some background and context for understanding Deaf communities and people as both linguistic and cultural minorities as well as members of a disability group. We then explore various examples of oppression born by Deaf people throughout history and today, with an emphasis on the Milan Conference of 1880, from which several decrees mandated that sign languages be banned in all instruction of Deaf students worldwide. The impacts of said decrees were catastrophic for the linguistic and social rights of Deaf people; effects of these experiences are pernicious and long lasting. Since then, global Deaf communities have fought to gain the legal rights and social recognition that are typically afforded hearing members of their respective communities. There are some Deaf communities that have attained said rights, where others are still left far behind. We explore the lasting effects of the Milan Congress in global terms, using the United States and North American Deaf communities as a standard for comparative measurement. Do note that this course will include a module on Italian Sign Language (LIS) and will give opportunities to learn and use LIS in and amongst Italian Deaf community members while in Italy.