Similarity and Diversity in European Deaf Communities (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the basic cultural, historical, social
and political developments of concern to the Deaf communities of the partner countries,
with reference to relevant developments in the European Union and international
contexts. In addition, the course focuses on providing theoretical knowledge of current
theories of Deaf Studies and ability to reflect upon and discuss issues of relevance to
Deaf communities, providing the foundation for reflection on working within contact
situations between Deaf and Hearing communities.
The module aims to provide students with:
– A critical understanding of the principal theories and concepts used to conceptualise
deafness and Deaf communities.
– A critical awareness of current issues in the field of Deaf studies.
– Detailed and critical knowledge and understanding in one selected area relating to
their 'home' Deaf community informed by developments at the forefront of the
discipline.
– Familiarity with a significant range of materials which are associated with
investigating this intellectual territory.
– Enhanced skills in planning and executing a project relating to a selected issue
concerning their 'home' community.

Accomplishment methods

The module is delivered over four Phases (A–D), with preliminary readings and 20
hours of face-to-face contact during the Heriot-Watt and Humak block seminars.

Students will be provided with required readings, which will be used in conjunction with
learning activities throughout the study period.

In Phase A (40h), students will do preparatory reading. Reading is not a passive activity.
Effective academic reading demands reader response, so you should expect to spend
almost as much time writing – albeit in note form at this stage – as you spend reading.

The Block Seminars (Phase B, 20h) will review developments in Deaf Studies over the
last half-century, taking a broadly decade-by-decade approach in order to chart
trajectory of key ideas, concepts and principles internationally over the years. We will i.
review and contextualise preliminary reading from Phase A, ii. identify and unpack key
notions driving scholarship (from 'disability' and 'culture' via 'audism' and 'sign language
recognition' to 'Deafhood' and 'Deaf Gain') during the relevant period, and iii. build an
awareness of the web of connections among and between academic thinking and
community developments, nationally and internationally.

Phase C (80h) will use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with
Disabilities as a site within which to interrogate the value, significance and impact of
Deaf Studies scholarship. Students will work in corresponding pairs (or exceptionally,
triads) to produce comparative analyses reflecting on the UNCRPD as it pertains to their
countries. The process will involve preparation, individual theoretical and applied
analysis, structured comparison and collaborative synthesis.

Finally, Phase D (10 h) will (at the ‘conclusion’ to Semester One) essentially be
formative in nature, requiring agreement on a joint summary of the collaborative
synthesis derived from Phase C, and presentation of this summary to the whole
staff/student group for informal review. Students will compare and contrast their own
and other pairs' conclusions, and identify key issues to carry forward from this module
into their forthcoming activities, especially in module 3.2.

Content

The module will cover topics such as:
– Current theories of conceptualising deafness, Deaf culture and Deaf communities.
– Points of contact and comparison in the historical, social and political development
of Deaf communities.
– 'Deaf policy' at national and international levels.
– The (changing) structures of Deaf communities.
– The history of Deaf communities and the future of Deaf heritage.
How historical and cultural developments shape Deaf communities.
– From Deaf Studies theory and scholarship to community action.