CULTURE AND DEAFNESS

The course is included among the core courses of the Master’s Degree Programme in Language Sciences (LM39), among the related and complementary courses of the Master’s Degree Programme in Specialised, Multimedia and Accessibility Translation (LM94), and among the elective courses of the Master’s Degree Programme in Pedagogical Sciences for Inclusive Communication Mediated by Italian Sign Language (LIS) (LM85).
The course introduces Deaf Studies as an interdisciplinary perspective for critically examining Deaf Culture and the different ways in which Deaf experience is known, represented, self-represented, and culturally produced.
The course adopts visual culture and visuality as key perspectives of analysis, considering the visual dimension not simply as a perceptual modality, but as a cultural dimension that contributes to shaping experience, communication, relationships, identities, knowledge production, and cultural practices.
The course brings together perspectives from Deaf Studies, Visual Culture Studies, and cultural, linguistic, anthropological, artistic, educational, and social studies, with particular attention to the role of Deaf people and Deaf communities in the production of knowledge and culture.
Particular attention is devoted to the relationship between visuality, sign languages, the body, and space, as well as to processes of representation and self-representation, artistic and audiovisual production, memory, testimony, and contemporary forms of Deaf cultural production and circulation.
The course also provides tools for critically reflecting on accessibility, participation, design, Deaf Space, education, institutions, and social transformation, connecting Deaf Studies perspectives with concrete cultural and social contexts.
The aim is not only to develop knowledge of Deaf Culture, but also to develop the ability to change perspective and critically read cultural productions and representations of deafness.

The overall aim of the course is to provide students with theoretical and methodological tools to understand deafness as a cultural, linguistic, social, and identity-related experience, through the perspectives of Deaf Studies and visual culture.
The course also aims to develop students’ ability to critically analyse Deaf cultural productions and representations of deafness, with particular attention to visuality, language, the body, space, identity, representation, self-representation, agency, accessibility, and participation.
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge of the main contemporary concepts and perspectives of Deaf Studies;
understand the concepts of Deaf Visuality, Deaf Gaze, Deaf Epistemology, Deaf Space, Deaf Art, Deafhood, and Deaf Gain;
understand the relationship between visuality, sign languages, the body, space, and culture in Deaf experience;
demonstrate knowledge of the main concepts related to representation and self-representation, with particular attention to agency and positionality;
identify and understand major forms of Deaf cultural production, including artistic, performative, and audiovisual productions and narratives in LIS;
understand issues concerning accessibility, design, participation, and social transformation within contemporary Deaf Studies.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to:
use the fundamental terminology of Deaf Studies and Visual Culture Studies appropriately;
apply the concepts addressed in the course to the critical analysis of images, videos, LIS productions, artworks, and other cultural productions;
identify stereotypes, perspectives, power relations, and different ways of constructing identity and otherness;
apply concepts such as Deaf Visuality, Deaf Gaze, self-representation, agency, and Deaf Epistemology to specific cultural productions;
connect theoretical perspectives and cultural productions with educational, cultural, and social contexts.
Making judgements
Students will be able to:
develop a critical reading of representations of deafness;
distinguish and compare external perspectives and forms of Deaf self-representation;
identify and critically discuss stereotypes, power relations, and cultural assumptions;
relate different theoretical perspectives within Deaf Studies;
reflect on their own positionality in relation to the topics addressed;
formulate independent and critically grounded interpretations;
independently identify and consult relevant bibliographic, academic, and cultural sources.
Communication skills
Students will be able to:
describe and discuss the main concepts and themes of Deaf Studies using appropriate terminology;
clearly and coherently present their analyses using examples from images, videos, LIS productions, and other forms of Deaf cultural production;
engage critically with peers, the instructor, and other interlocutors;
compare different perspectives in an informed and respectful manner;
communicate and discuss the main topics addressed in the course in italian sign language (LIS).
Learning skills
Students will be able to:
use the concepts and methodological tools acquired during the course to independently explore topics related to Deaf Studies, Deaf Culture, and visuality;
consult the bibliography, academic articles, and other materials provided during the course;
independently identify additional relevant sources;
connect theoretical perspectives, cultural materials, and concrete situations;
apply the critical analytical approach developed during the course to new productions and contexts beyond those directly addressed in class.

A knowledge of italian sign language (LIS) corresponding to at least the level of proficiency acquired upon completion of the third year of a university-level LIS programme (LIS3/B2+) is required.
Proficiency in LIS is an essential prerequisite, as the course will be delivered in LIS and will involve the analysis of signed productions and their linguistic, visual, spatial, and cultural dimensions.

The course introduces Deaf Studies as an interdisciplinary perspective for critically analysing Deaf Culture and the different ways in which Deaf experience is known, represented, self-represented, and culturally produced.
The course begins with the concepts of visuality, gaze, and perspective, examining the relationship between seeing, interpreting, and constructing meaning. Particular attention is given to the relationship between visuality, sign languages, the body, space, and culture, as well as to the concepts of Deaf Visuality and Deaf Gaze.
The course then addresses identity, the plurality of Deaf experiences, representation, and self-representation, examining the relationship between position, experience, agency, and knowledge production. Within this framework, the concepts of Deaf Epistemology, Deafhood, and Deaf Gain are introduced.
A specific focus is placed on Deaf cultural production, through the analysis of Deaf Art, performance, storytelling, poetry, Visual Vernacular, and cultural translation, with attention to the role of the body, space, and visual and signed forms in the construction of meaning.
A central part of the course is devoted to cinema about deafness and Deaf Cinema, addressing representation, self-representation, authorship, and audiovisual language. The course examines the history of Deaf Cinema, Deaf Gaze, the Deaf Cinema Manifesto, and Visual Rhythms, also through activities involving the analysis and comparison of different productions.
The course also addresses memory, testimony, and knowledge production, as well as processes of cultural production and circulation through festivals, digital media, and new forms of self-representation.
Finally, Deaf Studies perspectives are connected to space, design, accessibility, participation, education, and institutions, in order to reflect on the potential transformation of cultural and social practices.
The entire course is oriented towards developing a critical reading of Deaf cultural productions and representations of deafness, through the comparison of different perspectives and the ability to examine who produces, who represents, how, for whom, and from what position.

Required readings
The following texts constitute the required readings for the course and provide the main theoretical and methodological references necessary for the analysis and discussion activities carried out during the classes.
Mirzoeff, N. (1999). An Introduction to Visual Culture. London: Routledge.
Required reading: Introduction: What is Visual Culture?, pp. 1–34.
Rose, G. (2007). Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Materials. 2nd ed. London: SAGE.
Required reading: Chapter 1, Researching Visual Materials: Towards a Critical Visual Methodology, pp. 1–27.
Kusters, A., De Meulder, M., & O’Brien, D. (2017). “Innovations in Deaf Studies: Critically Mapping the Field.” In A. Kusters, M. De Meulder & D. O’Brien (eds.), Innovations in Deaf Studies: The Role of Deaf Scholars. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 1–53.
Required reading: entire chapter.
Padden, C. A. (2005). “Talking Culture: Deaf People and Disability Studies.” PMLA, 120(2), pp. 508–513.
Required reading: entire article.

Recommended readings for further study
The following texts are recommended for further study of specific topics addressed in the course and for expanding the comparison between different theoretical perspectives. Students are not required to read these texts in their entirety.
Ladd, P. (2003). Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Recommended reading: Introduction, pp. 1–25, and Chapter 1, Deaf Communities, pp. 26–74.
Bauman, H.-D. L. (ed.) (2008). Open Your Eyes: Deaf Studies Talking. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Recommended reading: Introduction: Listening to Deaf Studies, pp. 1–34.
Bauman, H.-D. L., & Murray, J. J. (eds.) (2014). Deaf Gain: Raising the Stakes for Human Diversity. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Recommended reading: Deaf Gain: An Introduction, pp. xv–xlii.
Rose, G. (2007). Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Materials. 2nd ed. London: SAGE.
Recommended reading for the visual analysis workshop: Chapter 3, The Good Eye: Looking at Pictures Using Compositional Interpretation, pp. 35–58.

Throughout the course, additional teaching materials will be made available through Moodle, including films and short films, videos, photographs, artworks, performances, testimonies, productions in Italian Sign Language (LIS), and other audiovisual or electronic materials. These materials will be used in the analysis, comparison, and discussion activities carried out during the classes.

The assessment is designed to evaluate both students’ knowledge of the course content and their ability to apply the concepts addressed during the course to develop a critical understanding of Deaf culture.
The examination will be conducted orally and in italian sign language (LIS).
The examination may include questions on the main topics covered during the course, as well as the analysis of images, audiovisual materials, or LIS productions.
Particular attention will be given to:
knowledge and understanding of the main concepts;
ability to connect the different topics addressed during the course;
ability to critically analyse images, cultural productions, and concrete situations;
appropriate use of disciplinary terminology;
independent judgement and ability to develop coherent arguments;
ability to relate theory, experience, and social and cultural contexts.

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.

The assessment is graded on a 30-point scale.
18–21: basic knowledge of the course content and understanding of the fundamental concepts.
22–24: adequate knowledge of the content and ability to apply the main concepts.
25–27: good knowledge of the subject and good ability to make connections and develop critical analysis.
28–29: in-depth knowledge, independent judgement, and ability to develop well-structured and articulated analyses.
30: excellent knowledge, full command of the course content and terminology, and strong critical thinking skills.
30 cum laude: outstanding level of achievement, demonstrating a high degree of independence, in-depth understanding, and advanced critical thinking.

The course combines:
lectures and interactive teaching;
presentations supported by visual materials;
analysis of images and audiovisual materials;
analysis of LIS productions;
discussion of texts and case studies;
analysis of Deaf artistic and cultural works;
individual and group activities;
critical analysis exercises.
Particular attention will be paid to the visual, spatial, and participatory dimensions of teaching and learning.
The course will be taught in italian sign language (LIS).

The course adopts a cultural, linguistic, and interdisciplinary perspective on deafness and is not intended as a clinical or rehabilitative course.
Particular attention will be paid to the distinction between deafness as a medical and clinical category and Deafness as a linguistic, cultural, and community-based experience, addressing this distinction critically and within its broader context.
LIS is a central component of the course, both as the language of instruction and as a fundamental element for understanding the visual, embodied, spatial, and cultural dimensions of Deaf experience.
Teaching materials and bibliographic resources will be made available through the course’s online learning platform.
Note
This syllabus provides the general framework for the course. Minor updates may be made to the bibliography, teaching materials, and activities during the course, particularly as the course has recently been taken over by a new instructor. Any changes will be communicated to students sufficiently in advance.