Deafness and Communication

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will explore deafness from a wide range of perspectives including social, cultural, and technological. It will examine deafness from a linguistic and cultural view to gain insight into human communication and the relationship between culture and language. This subject will investigate the impact of deafness on communication, literacy, social development, access and equity, and also consider how technology impacts on the lives of people who are deaf. The rapid changes in technology and its impact on communication will be discussed. Other topics covered will include a brief introduction to sign language, bilingual approaches to learning, deaf culture, the cochlear implant, the development of spoken language in deaf children, and deafness and ageing.

• Understand the central role of communication in society and that deafness primarily impacts upon communication;
• Develop an understanding of the full range of perspectives of deafness, including medical, social and cultural;
• Understand the benefits and limitations of technology in the lives of deaf people;
• Compare the range of educational approaches available to children and young people who are deaf and consider the implications of these for academic and social development.

There are two pieces of assessment:

• one practical assignment due mid-semester;(50%);
• one 2000 word essay due during the examination period (50%).

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance at all tutorials, seminars and workshops.

Course readings will be provided.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students will

• understand how deafness impacts on language development and culture;
• experience the implications of deafness for communication development;
• learn some basic Auslan skills;
• discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different perspectives on deafness.