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American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
In 1994, through the support of a grant from the 3M Foundation's VISION Program, the College introduced an American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies curriculum. Courses, offered through the Modern Languages and Literatures Department, include Introduction to Deaf Studies, two to six semesters of American Sign Language instruction, special topic courses that are offered on rotating years (such as The Deaf Community: Language and Culture, Deaf Literature, Linguistics of ASL) and an internship seminar class with full immersion into the Deaf community. The Intermediate and Advanced ASL classes include a concurrent Community-Based Learning partnership experience using ASL. Students are actively involved in programs that provide personal and direct interaction with members of the Deaf community. The Deaf Studies program also offers students numerous co-curricular events including speakers, special events, workshops, and films that complement and extend the language and culture of the Deaf community. Students who complete the required courses in the Deaf Studies Program are awarded a certificate of completion in Deaf Studies.
Students also have the opportunity to develop a multidisciplinary major or minor by incorporating Deaf Studies with other disciplines within the College. Approved areas of multidisciplinary majors incorporating Deaf Studies include Social Issues in Deaf Education, Genetics and the Deaf Community: Attitudes of Deaf College Students Towards Genetic Testing, Prenatal Screening and Gene Therapy, Development of Literacy Skills for deaf children.
Typically students studying other languages have the opportunity to study abroad in the foreign country rich in culture and language. Students at Holy Cross who are interested in Deaf Studies can also study in an environment rich in the language and culture of Deaf people. Through the Semester Away program students link their learning and living by attending Gallaudet University , the world's only deaf university, located in Washington , D.C. |
American Sign Language and the Deaf Studies Certificate Program
In 1994, through the support of a grant from the 3M Foundation's VISION Program, the College introduced an American Sign Language and Deaf Studies curriculum. The program offers students a series of sign language classes plus a variety of related courses which have included culture, literature, education and history of the Deaf community. The 2006-07 year course offerings include six semesters of American Sign Language instruction, a course on Visual Gestural Communication, a course on Bi-Lingual and Bi-Cultural Deaf Education, and a seminar class with a concurrent internship. Unique to the Deaf Studies program at Holy Cross is the active involvement students have with members of the Deaf community. Through many community- based learning (CBL) partnerships students in the Intermediate and Advanced ASL classes integrate classroom learning with personal and direct interaction with members of the Deaf community. The Deaf Studies program offers students numerous co-curricular events including speakers, workshops, and films that complement and extend the language and culture of the Deaf community. Students who complete the required courses in the Deaf Studies Program are awarded a certificate of completion. Students also have the option of designing their own multidisciplinary majors and minors which would include Deaf Studies as one of the disciplines. Students who wish to have a total immersion experience with ASL and Deaf Culture in a higher education setting also have the option to apply for a semester away as a visiting student at Gallaudet University . Specific courses in the Deaf Studies Program are described under Modern Languages and Literatures.
Multidisciplinary Studies Program
Student-Designed Multidisciplinary Majors and Minors
A multidisciplinary major or minor must involve at least three disciplines and fall within the competence of the College faculty. The student presents a written proposal demonstrating a coherent progression of study. The proposal must include a statement of intellectual rationale for the proposed field of study, an outline of courses already taken, and a complete plan of proposed courses. Proposals are written in consultation with the Director of CISS and two faculty sponsors based in departments related to the proposed major/minor. Faculty sponsors provide letters of support assessing the program of study. If the plan is approved, the faculty sponsors and the CISS Director serve as an advisory committee responsible for approving changes in the major plan and giving guidance to the student undertaking the program. Students may design their minor from scratch, or use a faculty-designed template as a basis for their course work and study. Some of the more established major/minor programs follow.
Deaf Studies: Using an interdisciplinary approach, students develop a curriculum that integrates Deaf Studies with two other disciplines. Students approved proposals have included “Literacy in Deaf Education”, “ Social Issues in Deaf Education” and a major in Deaf Studies with an Honors Thesis “Genetic Research, Counseling and Therapy: A look in to Genetic Testing and Counseling in the American Deaf Community”.
