Gallaudet University

Deaf Studies
DST 314-OL1 - Oral Traditions in Deaf Community (3)
Syllabus
Fall 2020

Instructor: Ben Jarashow

E-mail address: Benjamin.Jarashow@gallaudet.edu
Office Hours: email to request for appointment

Course Description:
The dynamics of oral cultures and their traditions will be introduced in this course by
studying the development of oral literature and literary artists in other cultures. Then
using this as background, attempts will be made to study ASL literary tradition by looking
at life histories, narratives, and poetry performances. Prerequisite: DST 101

Course Student Learning Outcome:

After completing this course, students will be able to:
1. Define and analyze works from various ASL literature genres.
2. Identify literary stylistics and poetics of signed texts.
3. Illustrate various ASL storytelling techniques.
4. Theorize on different subjects of ASL literature.
5. Interpret the cultural context in which works of literature are produced and
received.

Deaf Studies Program Student Learning Outcome:

1. Students will produce & present effective written & signed research projects related
to the interdisciplinary field of Deaf Studies.
2. Students will demonstrate in-depth understanding and reflection of course
materials through digital media expression.
3. Students will produce texts or presentations demonstrating knowledge of the
multiplicity of Deaf people’s lives within the United States & internationally.
4. Students will engage in critical inquiry into changing ideological construction of deaf
people, sign language, and normalcy from cultural, geographical, sociological human
rights perspectives.
5. Students will demonstrate respect, professional behavior, and academic integrity
and social responsibility to both peers and supervisors in courses and internship.

Gallaudet University Student Learning Outcome:

http://www.gallaudet.edu/Documents/Academic/EMGS/Gallaudet_Student_Learning_Out
comes.pdf

Student Learning Outcomes Alignment:

 DST 314 Outcomes
Define and analyze works
from various ASL literature
genres.
Identify literary stylistics
and poetics of signed texts.
Illustrate various ASL
storytelling techniques.
Theorize on different
subjects of ASL literature.
Interpret the cultural context
in which works of literature
are produced and received.
DST GU Outcomes Assessment for Assessment Tools
Outcomes Course Outcomes
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, - ASL Literature Critique - ASL Literature Critique Rubric
2.2, 2.3, 4.1 - Final Exam - Final Exam Rubric
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, - ASL Literature Critique - ASL Literature Critique Rubric
2.2, 2.3, 4.1 - Final Exam - Final Exam Rubric
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, - ASL Literature Critique - ASL Literature Critique Rubric
2.2, 2.3, 4.1 - Final Exam - Final Exam Rubric
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, - Critical Thinking Paper - Critical Thinking Paper Rubric
2.2, 2.3, 4.2, 4.3 - Final Exam - Final Exam Rubric
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, - ASL Literature Critique - ASL Literature Critique Rubric
2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, - Critical Thinking Paper - Critical Thinking Paper Rubric
3.4, 4.4

Required Course Materials:

1. Sutton-Spence, Rachel, and Michiko Kaneko. Introducing Sign Language Literature:
Folklore and Creativity. Palgrave, 2016.
2. Additional articles and videos will be listed under each week’s topic.

Assignment Expectations:
More information on assignments can be found at Blackboard.

Discussion:
Students learn better by actively participating in discussions in class rather than sitting
back and watching other classmates do all the discussing. To make this course a more
successful one, each student is required to contribute to online discussions as often as
possible, applying critical thinking skills at the same time, so please put some effort into
class discussions.

ASL Literature Critique:

Students will be assigned a specific work in ASL to critique. The critique should include a
discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the work, how the storyteller/poet delivered
their work, and how the student as the audience, reacted to it.

Critical Thinking Essay:

Students will be assigned questions related to ASL Literature, to be discussed and
answered in each critical thinking essay.

Final Exam:
The final paper will be done in two parts. Part one will be similar to a critical thinking
essay and part two will be similar to an ASL Literature critique.

Formatting:
• Papers:
o Font/size: Cambria/12 point
o Double spaced
o Include your name, date, and title of your paper
 o Page of paper (as stated by the assignment or more)
o References in the APA style on a separate page
• Videos:
o Mise en Scene (appropriate background, clothing, lighting)
o Appropriate signing clarity within the frame
o Signing articulation/transition/pacing
o Time length (as stated by the assignment or more)
o References in the APA style (titles, citations, and credits)

Grades:

Grade Points System:

• Discussion
o 10 points per weekly discussion
• ASL Literature Critique
o 50 points per critique
• Critical Thinking Essay
o 50 points per essay
• Final Exam
o 100 points

Assignments Grade Points Earned

Discussion 80
4 Critique 200
3 Essay 150
Final Exam 100
Total 530 ____/530

Undergraduate Grading System:

https://www.gallaudet.edu/academic-catalog/registration-and-policies/undergraduate-
policies/grading-system.html

Late Work:
All assignments are due by midnight EST on the due date, unless we have made alternate
arrangements in advance. Assignments that are not turned in by the deadline will lose
some points. Assignments that are not turned in by the deadline will lose some points. Late
online discussion will lose 5 points. Late ASL literature critique and critical thinking essay
will lose 15 points. Late final exam will lose 30 points.

Miscellaneous:

Faculty Expectations:
Good receptive skills are a must for the class and assignments. If you think you will
have a difficult time keeping up and/or understanding the professor and various
storytellers we will be viewing in class, then you may want to consider leaving the class
and retake this course when you are ready.

For a successful grade in this course, you are to give your fullest when it comes to critical
thinking for critiques, presentations, and the final exam. Every time I give you an
assignment with instructions, I expect you to follow the instructions. Also, I’m more
interested in seeing clear, organized work that displays excellent critical
thinking/analyzing skills than long, flowery, and superficial responses. I expect you to
justify your arguments, no matter what it may be, and to do it well. All in all, I expect
quality, college-level work from you.

Academic Integrity Policy:

It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize themselves and comply with the Gallaudet
University Undergraduate Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found on the Gallaudet
University website at: https://www.gallaudet.edu/academic-catalog/registration-and-
policies/undergraduate-policies/academic-integrity/violations.html

Academic Accommodation Policy:

Gallaudet University is committed to providing all students equal access to learning
opportunities. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSWD) is the campus unit that
works with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable
accommodations. Students registered with OSWD, who have a letter requesting
accommodations, are encouraged to contact the professor early in the semester. Students
who have, or think they may have, a disability (e.g. psychiatric, attention, learning, vision,
physical, or systemic), are invited to contact OSWD for a confidential discussion at (202)
651-5256 (V/TTY) or at oswd@gallaudet.edu. OSWD is located in the Student Academic
Center, room 1220. Additional information is available at the OSWD website
http://oswd.gallaudet.edu

Technology Problems:
If students are experiencing problems with Blackboard, make a Helpdesk request and CC
the email to the instructor to show evidence of attempt. If they struggle with
uploading/formatting or using specific online tools, they are also expected to contact
Helpdesk@gallaudet.edu immediately.

Problem Resolution/Office of the Ombudsman:

If students have any problems or concerns about the course, please contact the professor
first. If the students do not feel comfortable, or if the professor is unable to resolve their
concerns, they may contact the Department of Deaf Studies chairperson, Dr. Arlene B. Kelly
through email at arlene.kelly@gallaudet.edu. If you would like the assistance of an
impartial third-party regarding a course-related issue you may contact the Office of the
Ombuds. The Ombuds is available as the confidential and neutral resource to assist with
the informal resolution of conflicts and concerns. The office is located at Ely Center, 113.
Videophone: 202-559-5079. Email: ombuds@gallaudet.edu Website:
www.gallaudet.edu/ombuds

Appointment:
If students need a VP meeting with the professor, just e-mail the professor to set up an
appointment.

Names and Personal Pronouns:

If you prefer to use a name other than the name the University officially uses, please let me
know. Likewise, if you have a preferred personal pronoun, please let me know.

Disclaimers:
The course schedule and assignment due dates initially set forth are subject to reasonable
change at any time. These changes may be announced during class session. It is the
student’s responsibility to be aware of any such information that may be announced.

DST 314 Schedule

Date of week Topic of week Assignments due
Unit 1 Theory of Oral Literature and Video as Text Discussion – Oct. 30
Oct. 26-Nov. 1 The Making of a Storyteller Essay #1 – Nov. 1
Unit 2 Controls of Storytelling Discussion – Nov. 6
Nov. 2-8 Narratives of Personal Experiences Critique #1 – Nov. 8
Unit 3 Folklore Discussion – Nov. 13
Nov. 9-15 Deaf Humor Essay #2 – Nov. 15
Unit 4 Personification Discussion – Nov. 22
Nov. 16-22 Group Narrative Critique #2 – Nov. 22
Visual Vernacular
Unit 5 Classifier Stories Discussion – Nov. 27
Nov. 23-29 Cinematographic Stories Essay #3 – Nov. 29
Unit 6 Stories with Handshape Constraints Discussion – Dec. 4
Nov. 30 - Dec. 6 Critique #3 – Dec. 6
Unit 7 Poetry Discussion – Dec. 11
Dec. 7-13 Critique #4 – Dec. 13
Unit 8 Song Discussion – Dec. 18
Dec. 14-20 ASL Literature and Digital Arts Final Exam – Dec. 20, 3:00 PM