CULTURE OF DEAF PEOPLE

The course is one of the basic courses of the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Language, Civilization, and the Science of Language and aims to provide students with the first socio-cultural tools to understand deafness from cultural, communicative, and linguistic perspectives, namely from a less common point of view, detached from the more widespread medical one.
The aim of the course is to develop the knowledge of the Italian Deaf Culture and Community following a multidisciplinary perspective that will cross the history of the Deaf, linguistic stigmatization and reflection on the identity-forming and cultural value of sign language -as a natural language- for those who live communication according to a purely visual-manual input.

1. Knowledge and understanding
The student knows the basic principles of the concepts of Culture and Community.
The student knows the specific terminology related to deafness in cultural, linguistic, and social contexts.
The student knows the important events that have characterized the history of the Italian Deaf community and understands its main cultural, social and historical features.
The student understands the educational experience of the Deaf from a specific cultural and linguistic point of view.
The student understands the role of sign language and visual communication in the construction of Deaf identity.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
The student is able to use the specific terminology related to deafness in cultural, linguistic, and social contexts.
The student can apply the acquired historical, educational and social knowledge to understand and interprete the contemporary debate on the linguistic rights of the Deaf Community.

3. Making judgements
The student is able to express thoughts and opinions on the cultural and social features of Deafness.
The student is able to distinguish between medicalised approaches and cultural approaches to deafness.
The student is able to evaluate autonomously the historical and social situation of Deaf People in and outside the deaf community.

4. Communication skills
The student is able to express with appropriate terminology and to critically discuss the main cultural and historical aspects of the Deaf Community bringing relevant and consistent examples based on the historical and educational peculiarities of the Community itself.
The student is able to engage critically and respectfully with peers and the instructor.

5. Learning skills
The student is able to take notes.
The student is able to consult the references in the syllabus and select electronic resources related to Deaf Culture in a perspective that sees these concepts as constantly evolving.

No prerequisites are required.

• Introduction to the concepts of culture and community
• Different approaches and perspectives on Deafness
• Introduction to the Deaf Studies
• Understanding of the concepts of culture and communities applied to Deafness
• History of the Education of the Deaf
• History of the Deaf Associations
• Italian Sign Language in its evolutionary and historical components
• The Stigma of Deafness
• Social and behavioural aspects of Deaf Culture
• Stereotypes and prejudice

- Marziale B., Volterra V. (a cura di), Lingua dei segni, società e diritti, Roma: Carocci editore, 2016 – cap. 1.
- Sacks O., Vedere voci, Milano: Adelphi, 1990 o edizioni seguenti. - I e II parte.
- Porcari Li Destri G., Volterra V. (a cura di), Passato e presente. Uno sguardo sull’educazione dei Sordi in Italia, 1995, Napoli: Guido Gnocchi Editore, parte prima.
- Russo Cardona T., Volterra V. (a cura di), Le lingue dei segni. Storia e Semiotica. Roma: Carocci, 2007, cap. 1 e 6.
- Fontana S., Zuccalà A., “Lo spazio sociale della sordità: da individuo a comunità” in Bagnara C., Fontana S., Tomasuolo E. e Zuccalà A. (a cura di) I segni raccontano. La Lingua dei Segni Italiana tra esperienze, strumenti e metodologie, Milano: Franco Angeli, 2009, pp. 35-44.
- Mottinelli M., Di Monte C. (a cura di), Il mondo dei sordi in 150 domande, Roma, Carocci, 2025.
- Notes of the lectures and study material available online.

Students will be evaluated through an oral exam to verify the correct comprehension of the theoretical contents, the knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and textbooks required for the exam, the mastery of specific terminology, and the ability to critically revise the topics covered.

oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Scores in the range of 18-22: Sufficient knowledge and understanding of the syllabus; sufficient application of theoretical knowledge and ability to formulate independent judgments; sufficient clarity of exposition and ability to use specific terminology.
Scores in the range of 23-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the syllabus; fair application of theoretical knowledge and ability to formulate independent judgments; fair clarity of exposition and ability to use specific terminology.
Scores in the range of 27-30: Good to excellent knowledge and understanding of the syllabus; good to excellent application of theoretical knowledge and ability to formulate independent judgments; good to excellent clarity of exposition and ability to use specific terminology.
30 with honors: Excellent knowledge and understanding of the syllabus; excellent application of theoretical knowledge and ability to formulate independent judgments; excellent clarity of exposition and ability to use specific terminology.

Lectures and use of audio-visual materials.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development