Deaf Studies

The primary objectives of the Deaf Studies major program are: (1) to convey basic knowledge and understanding about the language and culture of Deaf people, including their history and social experiences and (2) to prepare students for advanced degree programs and/or professional careers working with Deaf people. CSUN is proud to be one of the few mainstream institutions in the nation that offers a comprehensive undergraduate program in the area of Deaf Studies and has long been acknowledged as a leader in providing quality education in a variety of deaf-related fields. In addition, CSUN provides Deaf Studies majors with a variety of other unique opportunities, including membership in student organizations, interaction with more than 200 Deaf/Hard of Hearing students who attend the University, the most extensive collection of resource materials related to deafness in the western United States, participation in a variety of campus/community events, including Deafestivals and ASL/Deaf Theatre productions, and on-the-job training while earning University credit.

More Information

For more information about this program, contact the Deaf Studies department office at (818) 677-5116 (voice) or (818) 435-8152 (videophone).

Core requirements include courses in sign language, linguistics and a variety of other disciplines that convey basic knowledge and understanding about the language and culture of Deaf people, including their history and social experiences. These courses have been strategically selected to provide a solid foundation for entry into any deaf-related career.

Note that not all American Sign Language (ASL) courses taken at other schools or community colleges are equivalent to CSUN’s sign language courses. Non-equivalent ASL coursework will be evaluated by the Deaf Studies department on an individual basis. Students with prior sign language experience are encouraged to contact the Deaf Studies department for advisement and proper placement in ASL classes.

1. Lower Division Required Courses (11 units)

DEAF 200 Introduction to Deaf Studies (3)
DEAF 280 American Sign Language III (4)
DEAF 281 American Sign Language IV (4)

2. Upper Division Required Courses (24 units)

DEAF 360 American Deaf Culture (3)
DEAF 484 Structure of American Sign Language (3)
DEAF 497 Deaf Studies Capstone (3)

Two of the following courses (6 units)

DEAF 300 Advanced ASL Conversation (3)
DEAF 370 American Sign Language/English Translation (3)
DEAF 430 American Sign Language: Individual Skills Development (3)
DEAF 489/L Introduction to ASL Translation of Literary and Artistic Works/Creative Uses of ASL (1/2)
DEAF 490A-G Essential Feature of ASL/Signed Languages (1-1-1-1-1-1-1)

Three of the following courses (9 units)

CD 410 Hearing Science (3)
DEAF 350 Principles of Sign Language Interpretation (3)
DEAF 400 Deaf People and Hearing People: A Comparative Cultural Analysis (3)
DEAF 401 Deaf History (3)
DEAF 402 Deaf Literature (3)
DEAF 404 Issues and Trends in the Deaf Community (3)
DEAF 406 The Deaf Learner (3)
DEAF 485 Issues in American Sign Language (3)

3. Concentrations (15 units)

Elective courses for each Concentration are selected from related disciplines to provide in-depth career education and preparation. A minimum of 15 units is required from one of the following career options.

A. Concentration I: ASL/English Interpreting (15 units)

DEAF 380/383 Sign Language Interpreting I and Lab (3/1)
DEAF 381/383 Sign Language Interpreting II and Lab (3/1)
DEAF 420 Sign Language Interpreting III (4)

Select one of two courses:

DEAF 482 Practicum in Sign Language Interpreting (3)
DEAF 491A-F Specialized Areas of Sign Language Interpretation (1-1-1-1-1-1)

B. Concentration II: ASL and ASL Literature (15 units)

DEAF 401 Deaf History (3)
DEAF 402 Deaf Literature (3)
DEAF 405 ASL/Deaf Theatre (3)
DEAF 485 Issues in American Sign Language (3)

Select one of three courses:

DEAF 300 Advanced ASL Conversation (3)
DEAF 370 American Sign Language/English Translation (3)
DEAF 489/L Introduction to ASL Translation of Literary and Artistic Works/Creative Uses of ASL (1/2-2)

C. Concentration III: Pre-Deaf Education (15 units)

CD 410 Hearing Science (3)
DEAF 400 Deaf People and Hearing People: A Comparative Cultural Analysis (3)
DEAF 401 Deaf History (3)
DEAF 402 Deaf Literature (3)
DEAF 406 The Deaf Learner (3)

D. Concentration IV: Deaf Community Services (15 units)

DEAF 400 Deaf People and Hearing People: A Comparative Cultural Analysis (3)
DEAF 401 Deaf History (3)
DEAF 404 Issues and Trends in the Deaf Community (3)
DEAF 407 Law and the Deaf (3)

Select one of three courses:

DEAF 300 Advanced ASL Conversation (3)
DEAF 410 Deaf Women in Today’s American Society (3)
DEAF 415 Deaf Studies Community Services (3)

E. Concentration V: Deaf Cultural Studies (15 units)

DEAF 400 Deaf People and Hearing People: A Comparative Cultural Analysis (3)
DEAF 401 Deaf History (3)
DEAF 402 Deaf Literature (3)
DEAF 410 Deaf Women in Today’s American Society (3)

Select one of three courses:

DEAF 404 Issues and Trends in the Deaf Community (3)
DEAF 406 The Deaf Learner (3)
DEAF 407 Law and the Deaf (3)

F. Concentration VI: Special Option (Individualized Program) (15 units)

With the guidance of faculty advisor(s), students can develop a curriculum of field-specific elective courses to complement the Deaf Studies Core requirements that reflects their specialized career interests (not part of Concentrations I-V above). The requirements for a Deaf Studies Special option are:

1. Before students completed 90 units, they must meet with a Deaf Studies faculty advisor to discuss career objectives and an educational plan of proposed courses totaling 15 units (a minimum of 12 units must be upper division).
2. Submit the program of study to the department chair for evaluation and approval.

4. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

Total Units in the Major: 50

General Education Units: 48

Additional Units: 22

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120