Did You Just Flip Me Off?

Deaf People and Linguistic Diversity in Chicago

Fall 2019 – FEXP 121 (01)
Department of American Sign Language
33 E. Congress Parkway. Chicago, IL 60605
Department Phone: 312-369-7837
Columbia College Chicago
600 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60605

Primary Instructor: Diana Gorman Jamrozik, MA, CI, CT, OTC

dgorman@colum.edu
Teaching Assistants: Peter Wujcik
pwujcik@colum.edu
Jackson Bradley
jbradley2.colum.edu
Contact Information: The Canvas Message system is by far the best way to communicate with your
course instruction team.
Class meets: Thursdays, 623 S. Wabash, room 109
12:30-3:20pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces the cultural, educational, artistic, and linguistic aspects of
the vibrant Deaf community in Chicago and around the world. Students in this course will explore,
analyze, and come to understand the historical roots of the Deaf cultural and educational experience
both locally and globally. Additionally, this course will survey the topics of local and global Deaf artistic
expression, signed languages and their structures, the role of interpreters and assistive technologies,
and will introduce laws that impact accessibility for all.

RATIONALE: A study of the human experience is a crucial element of a well-rounded liberal education.
The global Deaf community has historically been a linguistically oppressed minority, yet one that is
artistically and culturally vibrant. The Deaf community in Chicago is a diverse and artistically rich world.
A study of the culture of the other can help build one’s own sense of identity and cultural
understanding.

PRE-REQUISITES: None

TEXTS AND MATERIALS:

Canvas is used extensively for this course. Readings and assignments are posted there, you will post
your homework there, and a list of campus events and other fun information will be there. You will also
be able to check your grades on Canvas. Please check it several times a week for updated information.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the required first-semester course students will:
• Demonstrate an understanding of the City of Chicago as "text" and as a site of questioning and
exploration.
 • Identify frameworks/epistemologies for new and/or deeper ways of thinking for understanding the
urban context and communities that surround Columbia College Chicago.
• Participate in a robust one-to-many/many-to-many learning environment using a combination of
large-scale presentation and peer-to-peer (face-to-face and online) learning activities.
• Experience aspects of the city of Chicago first-hand and reflect on those experiences with a cohort of
student peers.

COURSE SPECFIC OBJECTIVES:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the history of the American Deaf people and Deaf education.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the diversity in Deaf communities.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the resources available to the Chicago Deaf community.
• Demonstrate an appreciation for global Deaf cultures and signed languages.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the linguistic structure of ASL and how the language is evolving.
• Analyze artistic elements of the Deaf community both in Chicago and around the world.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the field of interpretation and the role of the interpreter, as well as access
laws and technologies that impact the Deaf community.

COURSE POLICIES

1. Homework: Homework is a part of college life. It is expected that you will do the homework
that is assigned in order to fully participate in this course. Homework includes short written
assignments and quizzes on readings and videos. Homework is done through Canvas and
must be submitted through Canvas. The submission period for turning in homework closes at
12:30 (the beginning of class) the date they are due. LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED
IN THIS COURSE.

2. Communication:

a. Please thoughtfully review all email communication with your instructor for grammar
before sending. Proper capitalization, punctuation, and fully written words are
required for emails with a college instructor.
b. Presentations will be given in either American Sign Language or Spoken English
depending on the presenter of the day. Questions are encouraged and can be asked
anytime during the lecture. Nationally certified ASL-English interpreters will be present
to interpret lectures and class discussions. Hearing class members are expected to
use spoken English during lectures and discussions. However, students should feel
free to communicate with Deaf presenters in ASL about personal concerns on a one to
one basis.

3. Attendance: This course relies on your presence. Arriving late or leaving early is highly
disruptive to a group this size. Be present, on time, and responsible to your group. Class
 participation and respect for all individuals, their choices and opinions is expected and
paramount to the success of this course. Daily in-class work (“Minute Papers”) will be graded
and cannot be made up. The lowest Minute Paper will be dropped in order to accommodate
any and all reasons to miss class.

4. Electronic devices/ phones: Cell phones or any other media that beep, chirp, or otherwise
draw attention must be turned off and put away for the duration of class. There are times
when we will do work through devices. Until that time, put them away and be present in
class.

5. Final exam:
There will be a final exam based on the reading materials and discussions throughout the
semester. During the final exam, all phones and other electronic devices must be put away.
If a phone or electronic device is seen during the final, that final will receive a zero, no
questions asked.

GRADES

Students will be assessed with the following activities:

1. Attendance/ Weekly in class “Minute Papers” (20%): Attendance in this class will be done
through “Minute Papers” You will have weekly in class work (“Minute Papers”) that will be
turned in to your group work folder in class. IN CLASS WORK (“Minute Papers”) MAY NOT BE
MADE UP. The lowest in class work grade will be dropped in order to accommodate any and
all reasons to miss class. You MUST be present at the time we do the Minute Paper in order to
do it – I will not give one to you late or early during class should you arrive late or leave early.

Only weekly “Minute Paper” (#1 above) will have one grade dropped. That policy does not
apply to the rest of the required work. Work not submitted for #2-8 below will result in a
zero for that assignment.

2. Weekly homework (25%): It is expected that you will do the homework that is assigned in
order to fully participate in this course. Homework includes short written assignments and
quizzes on readings and videos. Homework is done through Canvas and must be submitted
through Canvas. The submission period for turning in homework closes at 12:30 (the
beginning of class) the date they are due. LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN THIS
COURSE.

3. Columbia and Chicago Cultural Events (15% - 5% each): Welcome to Columbia College
Chicago! Our campus is a diverse, active, and fun place to be. Be involved and engaged in
your college experience. Additionally, Chicago is a dynamic artistic and sports community. In
 order to start your journey here at Columbia, you must attend three events total – one or
two events on the Columbia campus, and one or two events that happen in Chicago. Again,
you must attend three total events, and at least one must be at Columbia and at least one
must be out in the city of Chicago - the other is your choice if it is at Columbia or out in the
city of Chicago. These events need to happen between now and November 30. You must
show proof of attendance by submitting a picture of yourself at the event with a two-
sentence summary of the event on Canvas. Late submissions are not accepted. We will
announce events happening during class, but any Columbia event (club meeting, yoga class,
performance, dance, etc.) and any cultural or sports event in Chicago (play, concert, attending
a museum, etc.) are acceptable. The Chicago events must happen in the city itself – not a
suburb. If you attend a Chicago cultural event with a Columbia group (arranged by your dorm,
for instance), you may choose whether or not it will be counted as a Columbia event or a
Chicago event. You may NOT double dip events that are required for another class with this
requirement.

4. Presentation (10%): There will be a group presentation in class on the linguistic diversity/
accessibility of a Chicago tourist spot. More details will be given in class, as well as class time
to work on the project.

5. Papers (20% total – 10% each): There will be two short papers assigned during the course.
Due dates are on the course schedule, and information will be given during class and on
Canvas. Papers may be rewritten once for half credit – all rewrites are due the week after the
papers are returned, and the original paper and rubric must be submitted for consideration.

6. Final exam (10%): There will be a final exam based on the reading materials and discussions
throughout the semester. It will be matching – there will be a study guide with the list of key
terms that we discuss throughout the semester kept on Canvas. The final exam will be taken
during the last day of class. If for any reason you will be absent on that day you must contact
your instructor before class time.

GRADING SCALE:

A 93-100 C+ 77-79.99
A- 90-92.99 C 73-76.99
B+ 87-89.99 C- 70-72.99
B 83-86.99 D 60-69.99
B- 80-82.99 F 0-59.99

I use a straight grading scale, and therefore grades are not rounded up.

Please remember Columbia College Chicago’s policy that a grade of C or better is required for each
course in a major or minor. As this is a course that satisfies the “Columbia Core,” a D or better is
needed. However, there is no reason that a student who attends class regularly and does the work
should not get a good grade in this course. Your grades are always available on Canvas. Always feel
free to contact any instructor of a course if you want individual help.

Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. You will be notified of any
changes in advance.

COLLEGE AND DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND SERVICES

Up to Date College Policies Can Always be Found on Canvas

Important Dates:
Add/Drop/Withdrawal Deadlines/ Please see the Office of the Registrar website for a complete listing
(http://www.colum.edu/academics/academic-calendar.html).
15-week semester begins Tuesday, September 3
Add deadline, 15-week semester Monday, September 9
Drop deadline, 15-week semester Monday, September 16
Withdrawal deadline, 15-week semester Friday, November 1
Thanksgiving break Thursday, November 28 – Sunday, December 1
Semester ends Saturday, December 14
 Did You Just Flip Me Off?
Deaf People and Linguistic Diversity in Chicago
Fall 2019 Weekly Schedule

This syllabus is intended to give the student guidance in what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as
closely as possible. However, instructors reserve the right in their discretion to modify, supplement, and make changes as
course needs arise.

Week 1: Course Introduction

9/5 Get to know your groups
Discuss: Syllabus, schedule, and expectations
“An Introduction to the Deaf Community”
In-class Activities

Homework (due 9/12):

Read: Holcomb, T. (2013), Who are the Deaf people? Introduction to
American Deaf culture, p. 37-60.
Watch: Videos on Canvas
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and complete the quizzes on the videos

Week 2: Audism and Introduction to ASL and Deaf Education

9/12 Homework Discussion
Discussion of the history of ASL and Deaf Education
What is speechreading and speechreading activities

Homework (due 9/19):

Read: The National Association for the Deaf Position Papers
Watch videos on Canvas
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos

Week 3: Deaf Representations in the Media

9/19 What is Language?
Possible Guest Presenter: Crom Saunders
Common myths about ASL and sign languages
In class activities

Homework: (due 9/26):

Read and watch videos on Canvas
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos
Week 4: What is language?
9/26 Career Center Overview
Discussion: What is language?
In class activities
Introduction: “Linguistic Diversity in My Neighborhood” paper

Homework: (due 10/3)

Read: Gardner and Jewler. (2003). Your college experience, p. 31-38.
Watch videos on Canvas for in class discussion next week
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos
Work on the “Linguistic Diversity in My Neighborhood” (due 10/10)

Week 5: TIME FOR YOUR PAPERS

10/3 Time in class: “Linguistic Diversity in My Neighborhood” paper

Homework: (due 10/10)

DUE NEXT WEEK (either through Canvas or hard copy in class): “Linguistic Diversity
in My Neighborhood” paper

Week 6: Deaf Art and Artists: The Deaf Art Movement and De’Via Art
10/10 Possible Guest Presenter: Dr. Jim Van Manen - The Deaf Art Movement and De’Via Art
Discuss Linguistic Diversity in your neighborhoods
History of Chicago
In class activities

Homework: (due 10/17)

On Canvas: Read: Investigating Deaf Visual Art
Watch Videos on Canvas for in class discussion next week
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos

Week 7: Names in Deaf Culture and Language Acquisition

10/17 Deaf Awareness Day
Homework discussion
In class activities

Homework: (due 10/24)

Read: article on Canvas
Watch videos on Canvas for in class discussion next week
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos
Week 8: Did You Just Flip Me Off? Linguistic Views on Swearing
10/24 Homework discussion
In class activities

Homework: (due 10/31)

Read: Language as Art
Watch: Videos on canvas for in class discussion next week
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos

Week 9: ASL Narratives and Storytelling

10/31 Possible Guest Presenter: Peter Cook – ASL Narratives and Storytelling
Homework discussion
Introduce “Linguistic Diversity and Accessibility at Chicago Landmarks” group
presentations and individual papers

Homework: due (11/7)

On Canvas: Read: CTA Website on accessibility
Watch: Videos on canvas for in class discussion next week
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos
Work on “Linguistic Diversity and Accessibility at Chicago Landmarks” group
presentations and individual papers (due 11/21)

Week 10: TIME FOR YOUR PAPERS/ PRESENTATIONS

11/7 Work on “Linguistic Diversity and Accessibility at Chicago Landmarks” group
presentations and individual papers

Homework: (due 11/14)

Read: article on Canvas
Watch videos on Canvas for in class discussion next week
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos

Week 11: TIME FOR YOUR PAPERS/ PRESENTATIONS

11/14 Chicago Neighborhood discussion

Homework: (due 11/21):

DUE NEXT WEEK “Linguistic Diversity and Accessibility at Chicago Landmarks”
group presentations and individual papers
Week 12: Linguistic Diversity and Accessibility at Chicago Landmarks
11/21 Group Presentations

Homework: (due 12/5):

Read: article on Canvas
Watch videos on Canvas for in class discussion next week
Due on Canvas: Answer questions on the reading and quiz questions on videos
Reminder: Columbia events and Chicago cultural Events are due 11/30!!

Week 13: No Class – Have a Safe Thanksgiving Break!

Week 14: Social Justice and Working with People who are DeafBlind
12/5 Homework discussion
In class activities

Homework: (due 12/12):

Review for Final Exam

Week 15: Course Wrap-Up

12/12 Course Wrap-up
Group Final Exam Review
Final Exam