Signed language communities in society 1

Students will learn about the living and educational conditions of hearing-impaired, deaf, and deafblind people in the past and present. Students' analytical skills and critical thinking will be strengthened so that they can contribute to a sustainable society that is inclusive and socially just. Students will also learn how Norwegian sign language and cultural forms of expression are rooted in language, literature, culture, and history. Historically, society at large has had different views and perspectives on sign language, deaf and deafblind people as minorities, which is reflected in different rights and institutions. Key concepts related to the above topics are reviewed in the course.

Candidates

• Has knowledge of how Norwegian sign language and deaf and deafblind culture are rooted in the society today and in the history of deaf and deafblind people
• Has knowledge of the emergence of deaf education and its significance for the current situation
• Is familiar with the emergence and significance of deaf organizations for the lives and living conditions of deaf and deafblind people in the Nordic countries
• Is familiar with the emergence of rights and institutions for the hearing impaired, deaf and deafblind in the Nordic countries
• Has knowledge of mainstream society's changing views on and relationship to Norwegian sign language, deaf and deafblind people as a minority

• Lectures, group- and class discussions, a walking tour of the city, and a visit to the Norwegian Museum of the Deaf.
• Approved obligatory assignments are valid for three semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following two semesters). All obligatory assignments must be completed in the same semester.