DST 102 Italian Deaf Culture & History
Department of Deaf Studies Core Course
Spring 2013
Instructor: Rita Sala
Office Hours: By appointment via skype: sala.rita
e-mail: salarita@gmail.com
Course Description
This course examines the History, Culture and Education of the Italian Deaf Community
from a multidisciplinary perspective.
The course will explore the sociological meanings of culture and community and their
application to the Deaf community in general.
We will focus on the history and the educational experience of deaf people in Italy and in
Siena where there is one of the oldest Residential School for the Deaf, founded in 1828 by
priest Tommaso Pendola. It is a school recognized by all the Italian Deaf Community. Now
it is no longer a school but it is used as a place where deaf students can get tutored in school
subjects during the afternoon.
The Education of the Deaf in Italy is strongly related to the development of the Italian Sign
Language (LIS), students will receive the sociological and cultural tolls that allow them to
understand and reflect on the Deaf way of life and the historical evolution of the Italian
Deaf Community and Culture.
Special guest lecturers come from all over Italy to provide insight on the multi-faceted and
evolving Italian Deaf community. Students will further contextualize course topics and
discussions through active engagement with the Italian Deaf Community in Siena,
surrounding communities on day-trips—unique with their own histories and cultures, as
well as overnight trips to other regions in Italy to fully experience the linguistic, cultural,
and historical differences that still exist across Italy today.
Prerequisites
Current enrolment in required DST courses (LIS, and Italian)
Course Hours
The course meets for a total of 45 hours with bi-monthly workshop.
ISLA srl
Via Tommaso Pendola 37 • 53100 Siena (ITALY) • Part.IVA 01112810526
TEL. +39 0577 532001 • FAX +39 0577 227310
www.sienaschool.com
Student Learning Expectations
Italian Deaf Culture has history well before the 1880 Congress of Milan--perhaps one of the
most well-known events taking place in Italy, and has recent culture and history well worth
looking at today. Exploring sociological perspectives in Italy, Italian Sign Language,
teaching methods in Italy, Italian Deaf community and culture, as well as Interpreting and
Sign Languages in Europe, students will have a full overview of Italian Sign Language and
Culture in Italy upon completing this course.
Course Outline
Week by Week Description:
Week I
February 17th
History Overview 1:30-2:30
- Harry G. Lang, "Perspectives on the History of Deaf Education," The
Oxford Handbook of Deaf Studies, Language, and Education, Volume
1, Second Edition, 2011, pp. 7-17.
February 20th
Introduction
Visual Communication - LIS
Deafness in Italy - a sociologial perspesctive
Readings:
- Erving Goffman, Stigma, New York, Touchstone, 1963, pp.1-19, 4151
- Robert J. Ruben "Sign language: Its history and contribution to the
understanding of the biological nature of language", Acta OtoLaryngologica, 2005; 125: 464-467.
Lane H., When the Minds Hears. A History of the Deaf, pp. 386-402
Week II
February 29th - Deaf in the History
-Italian Sign Language - before and after Milan
-Three main Deaf Educators
-Lane H., When the Minds Hears. A History of the Deaf, pp. 386-402
-Pinna, Pagliari Rampelli, Rossini, Volterra, "Written and unwritten
history of a Residential School for the Deaf in Rome, Italy" in Earting,
Johnoson, Smith, Snider (eds.), The Deaf Way, Washington D.C.
Gallaudet University Press
ISLA srl
Via Tommaso Pendola 37 • 53100 Siena (ITALY) • Part.IVA 01112810526
TEL. +39 0577 532001 • FAX +39 0577 227310
www.sienaschool.com
Week III
Intensive class in Padova march 8-11th
Italian Deaf Community and Culture
Readings:
-Corazza S. "The History of Sign Language in Italian Education of the
Deaf", in Earting, Johnoson, Smith, Snider (eds.), The Deaf Way,
Washington D.C. Gallaudet University Press, .
-Padden, "The Decline of Deaf Clubs in the United States: A Treatise
on the Problem of Place", in Bauman L. H-D. (ed.), Open your Eyes,
Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press, 2008, pp. 111-123.
-Carol Padden "The Deaf Community and the Culture of Deaf People",
pp. 1-16.
- Barbara Kannapell "Inside the Deaf Community" , pp. 21-28, in
Wilcox S. (Ed.) American Deaf Culture, Burtonsville, Maryland,
Linstok Press, 1989.
Week IV
Midterm week: essay or signed presentation sent to Rita Sala by March
27th.
Summarize main points of all the readings so far into a concise 4-page
essay or 3-minute ASL video. College-level, academic arguments
expected.
Week V
Working in school - education in Italy with Pia (late March Date TBD)
- Lane H., Hoffmeister R., Bahan B., A Journey into the Deaf World,
Ch. 10 "Bilingual and Bicultural Education for Deaf Children", pp.
293-314.
Week VI
Early April (Date TBD) - Interpreting and Sign Languages in Europe
-The status of sign language in Europe, Council of Europe Publication,
2005
-European Resolutions
- UN Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and
Dignity of Persons with Disabilities (2006)
-Course overview
ISLA srl
Via Tommaso Pendola 37 • 53100 Siena (ITALY) • Part.IVA 01112810526
TEL. +39 0577 532001 • FAX +39 0577 227310
www.sienaschool.com
Week VII
Final Exam with Christine Brown
Week VIII
Week IX
Week X
Week XI
Week XII
Exam Week
Assignments:
The final exam will be 3 open ended questions (choice of 4) on the topics and readings
covered during the semester and it will last for 2 hours. More information will be given at
the beginnning of the class.
Textbook and required materials:
Electronic reading packets are provided on computers in the library and student lounge. A
hard copy of readings is available and can be checked out by the hour with the front office.
Materials also available in the library. Please do not print the readings.
Recommended optional materials/references:
Many of the books are available in the library, as well as books for supplemental readings if
you'd like. Please inquire as to the subject you would like supplemental readings on.
Grading System
Participation and Attendance
20 %
Mid-term (signed or typed)
30 %
Final (signed or typed)
30 %
Cultural Excursions, Activities & Assignments
20 %
ISLA srl
Via Tommaso Pendola 37 • 53100 Siena (ITALY) • Part.IVA 01112810526
TEL. +39 0577 532001 • FAX +39 0577 227310
www.sienaschool.com
Course Policy
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all lectures and excursions and to actively participate
in classroom discussions. Only one absence per course is allowed during the 15
weeks of the program. All other absences are considered unexcused. Each
unexcused absence will incur an academic penalty of 10% off the overall grade of
the course missed. Three tardies count as an unexcused absence. A student having
more than 3 unexcused absences will earn an 'F' in their course work and if they
accumulate such absences in more than one course, will be dismissed from the
program.
Retests/makeup tests
No makeup tests
Excursions
School for the Deaf "T. Pendola"
Day trips to local communities and events
Overnight trip (location TBD)
ISLA srl
Via Tommaso Pendola 37 • 53100 Siena (ITALY) • Part.IVA 01112810526
TEL. +39 0577 532001 • FAX +39 0577 227310
www.sienaschool.com