George W. Veditz

1. Develop an introductory and basic knowledge of the Deaf Culture and how its unique history, traditions, norms, values, and language leads to the creation of a DEAF-WORLD. Through this uniqueness comes the development of literature that is a celebration of what Deaf people can do; an anecdote to what society, for hundreds of years, has believed that Deaf people can’t do.
2. Identify the major movements, genres, creators, and works in the literature of Deaf Americans including works comprising a wide range of vernacular signed (ASL), written English, and hybrid forms — those exhibiting both vernacular and written features including English works translated into ASL and vice versa.
3. Understand how Deaf American literature, like African American, Hispanic, Chinese American, and Native American literatures, can be termed a minority literature. To perceive how with other minorities, Deaf Americans exist within and without the mainstream American culture.
4. Critically examine a body of works in which, in general, the majority language (English) and rhetoric seeks to dominate and extend its control and the minority language (ASL) and rhetoric attempt to undermine and evade this control. In other words, how Deaf American literature, in the vein of other minority literatures, “rebels” against mainstream American literature.
5. Examine the use of humor as a time-honored method of resisting oppression via various forms of expression. How Deaf literature that pokes fun at the majority, at themselves, at both themselves and the majority can contribute to a sense of equality or even a feeling of superiority at times. And, how members of the majority who can learn from it, and even act upon it in a way that can be beneficial for both.
6. Explain the ways in which works and movements both reflected and shaped American Deaf culture. How the validation of vernacular sign language (ASL) as a true language in the 1960’s led to a shift from English dominated works towards more ASL oriented works.

Each student will write a research paper with a minimum of 750 words (approx. three 

pages) in APA 7  format.  Maximum 1000 words (not including cover/reference pages) 

Please use a minimum of 4 reference sources. Do not cite Wikipedia or similar websites. 

Instead use the citations within those pages. If a citation does not exist for the 

information then it is suspect and should not be used.   Direct quotes must always be 

cited.  Paraphrasing from another author’s work must also be cited.

NO ABSTRACT REQUIRED.

Paper will be graded on the 

General Education Scoring Guide for Writing 

which covers:

 

Knowledge of Writing Conventions

Clarity and Coherence

 

Rhetorical Choices

Choose one Teller from the various Deaf storytellers that you have been introduced to 

through this class and write about the following: 

(Teller must be Deaf)

1.

 

Who is the Teller, what is the person’s background, how did they become a “smooth 

signer”, did they utilize formal or informal training, how did they get started?

2.

 

What Tale or Tales does this specific Teller usually share? What venue is used to 

share this Tale? What genre does this tale fit into?  What themes are often 

incorporated into the Tales that are shared?  Through the Tales that you have chosen 

what are (or might be) the Teller’s goals?

3.

 

What did the Teller’s audience usually comprise of? Deaf only? Hearing only? Both 

groups?  What type of information did you find about the audiences that the Teller 

usually attended? Did the teller get feedback from the audience? How did this 

feedback affect the Teller’s adjustments to the audience?

4.

 

In summary, how did this teller combat a myth(s) that we learned about in the Primer 

(introduction to Deaf Culture)

This is the Rubric

A minimum of four references from appropriate sources. (4)

The reference page is formatted according to APA guidelines. (2)

APA format is used throughout the paper to cite references. (10)

APA format is used on the title page. (2)

Running header is used in APA format. (2)

Direct quotes, if used, are used according to APA format. (N/A)

Block quotes, if used, are used according to APA format. (N/A)

B. Organization (20 points)

The paper explores the assigned topic. (4)

There are identifiable sections of the project (introduction, body, and conclusion). (4)

Ideas in the paper are supported by appropriate references. (4)

The main ideas in the paper are clear. (2)

The conclusion provides a clear summary of the paper and concluding remarks. (2)

There is a flow to the organization of the paper. (2)

The paper is the required length. (2)

C. Writing Style (20 points)

The paper demonstrates university level spelling. (5)

The paper demonstrates university level grammar. (5)

There are no careless errors such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  (5)

The paper has been proof read. (5)

D. Content (20 points)

The quality of the subject being discussed demonstrates critical thinking. (5)

The assigned topic is explored appropriately. (5)

The Teller’s background of signing and their experience navigating in the Deaf world is 

explored. (4)

The Teller’s tale (s) are described. (4)

When appropriate, issues related to the Teller’s D/d/HH identity was explored.  (2)

F. Clarity of Expression / Style (10 points)

The paper demonstrates university level work. (5)

The paper includes personal reflection/insights and application of the material. (5)

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