ASL 102
Reading Assignment
"Deaf Again"

1. To continue exploring Deaf culture and the Deaf community.
2. To examine one’s own perspectives of deafness and deaf people and to compare them with the views of the author and with your classmates.

Preface: Deaf Again is an interesting book to read partly because the author describes one perspective of Deaf people (a pathological view) and comes to realize a different perspective (a cultural view) as he becomes older.  As you answer each of the questions, it is expected that you will take the time to honestly consider if and how your own perspectives and opinions about deafness have shifted.

Assignment: Some of the questions below ask for factual information provided in the book. Other questions ask you to provide your own opinions or perspectives about the content or episodes in the book.  Please provide succinct and concise responses to all your questions (in other words don’t ramble, consider your words carefully and get to your point).

Type your responses: You all have access to computers and please type your responses. You can turn in your responses by e-mail or printed hard copy.

In-class discussion: During class we will discuss the book, your responses, and any questions you might have. Your participation in the discussion is considered to be part of the assignment. 

Cultural reading homework points: The assignments will account for 60 points. For each section you will earn 30 points, 25 points for the typed responses and 5 points for participating in the class discussion.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Deaf Again, Part 2 questions (Chapters 6 - 12)

Chapter 6

This chapter deals with Mark confronting several important issues during this part of his life.  Pick one issue that you find disturbing and/or thought-provoking and explain in several sentences how this particular one affected you. 

Chapter 7:

a. List 2 significant changes that took place once Mark starting using an interpreter at GFS.

b. What was the significance of the Time Magazine report?

Chapter 8:

a. What were Mark's frustrations underlying the comment "I was a victim of a self-imposed glass ceiling"? 

b. What were Mark's erroneous assumptions regarding ASL and what transpired after Linda's comments to him?

c. Early Intervention Program at PSD:

    1.  Briefly outline its goals.

    2.  What did you learn about the critical age for a Deaf child's language development?

    3.  Why do you think a number of Deaf adults today do not enjoy reading?

    4.  Cochlear Implant issue:  Despite Mark's initial reaction,  what cautionary message does he give?

    5.  The implied correlation between intelligence and deafness -- what's wrong with this picture?

  Chapter 9:

Give 3 examples as to what made Gallaudet University unique for Mark in regard to his social and academic experiences on the campus.  What did he have to say about his "family"?

Chapter 10:

a) Mark's mother sat throughout the class and listened the discussion called "Seven Attitude Dimensions As Measured by the Disability Factors Scale (Deafness).  What two attitude dimensions were addressed?

b) Now summarize each attitude dimension in your own words.

c)  Briefly describe the worst case scenario Mark's mother shared with Dr. Sussman.

Chapter 11:

a) What important discovery did Mark make regarding deaf students' academic achievement?  How did they fare in social situations?  What opportunities were they missing?

b) In his discussions with his fiancée; Mark draws several important conclusions from his comparison of residential schools and mainstreamed programs.  By the same token, what would YOU convey to parents who discover that they have a deaf child?

Chapter 12:

Write a brief paragraph about Chapter 12 in your own words and then write a closing summary about your reading experience with the Deaf Again book