ASL 121 - "Deaf Again" Text

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 word-processing software and so I will request that you type your responses.

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. 

**See web Schedule page for due dates.

90 Cultural reading homework points: The Deaf Again assignments will account for 90 of these 130 points. For each section you will earn 30 points, 25 points for the typed responses and 5 points for participating in the class discussion.

Parts 1 & 2 (60 points):  

Part 3 (30 points):

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Deaf Again, Part 1 Questions (Introduction - Chapter 6, pp. iii - 57)

Introduction:

1.  In the very first paragraph of the Introduction chapter (not the E.E Cummings quotation),   the author makes a very powerful statement.  Explain several reasons why.  How is the book "Deaf Again" unique?

Chapter 1:

1) If you were the hospital, doctor or medical personnel  with a Deaf patient facing a similar predicament in Deaf Again, what steps would you have taken to ensure that fair and accessible care was provided? What should YOU as the medical care facility be held accountable for?

2) Chapter 2 mentions the "Diagnostic Crisis" of deafness - describe the ramifications for a hearing family having a deaf child.  What were the messages and/or psychological implications that the author received? Mark lived with his deaf parents, but was raised by his hearing grandparents, who made all the decisions.  His deaf parents were afraid to use sign language with Mark.  Why?  Why didn't they stand up for Mark and insist that he use sign language? Why were they not empowered?

Chapter 3:

3) "All in all, deaf children of deaf parents are considered lucky because......." - list several reasons why.   Briefly explain the irony of Mark's family situation?.
   
Chapter 4: 

4) Mark relates his past audiology testing experiences as "terrifying".  Elaborate why.  What important message does he have for today's generation of audiologists?

5) Although Mark relates Plymouth Meeting Friends Schools as being positive, what are your thoughts about the author's conclusion regarding speech therapy? What negative impression did Mark carry away from his speech training?

Chapter 5:
 
8) What was the major frustration that the author faced with his hearing, Jewish relatives? (pp. 31-33)

9) What valuable lesson did Mark learn from Sekou's family?  How was Mark's deafness a blessing in disguise?

Chapter 6:

10) Chapter 6 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.

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Deaf Again, Part 2 Questions (Chapters 7 - 9, pp. 58 - 130)

Chapter 7:

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

2)  Describe 3 distinct dynamic differences Mark learned in his interactions with his Deaf grandparents.

3) What conclusions did Mark draw after observing Nana's recovery from a stroke in the Nevil Home?

Chapter 8:

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

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

6)  Early Intervention Program at PSD:

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

    b.  Cochlear Implant issue:  Despite Mark's initial reaction, what does he have to say about this issue today? What cautionary
         message does he give?

Chapter 9:

7) 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"?

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Deaf Again, Part 3 Questions (Chapter 10 - Epilogue)

Chapter 10:

1)  Mark's mother sat in on one of Mark's graduate classes "Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness".  The topic of discussion was called "Seven Attitude Dimensions As Measured by the Disability Factors Scale (Deafness). Summarize the two attitude dimensions discussed in your own words.

2) The 2nd attitude and behavior factor had a significant impact upon Mark's mother.  Briefly describe the worst case scenario Mark's mother shared with Dr. Sussman.

3) What was meant by Mark's assertion "the truth shall set us free"? What decisions did Mark and his mother make?

Chapter 11:

4) What important discovery did Mark make regarding deaf students' academic achievement?  How did they fare in social situations?  Were they missing any opportunities? What was the difference between experiences of the students in the mainstreamed setting and the students at the deaf institution?

5) In his discussions with his fiancee; 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?  (Hint: you can  also refer to Mark's "formula" for Deaf children in Chapter 12).

Chapter 12:

6)  Despite the contrasting opinions that Mark discovered through his internet conversations  on how deaf people perceived themselves; what is the author's personal approach to deafness? (pages 173 - 177)

7) In your own words,  briefly summarize Chris de Hahn's philosophy?

8) What is Mark's own personal definition of Deafness?

Epilogue:

9) Mark talks about his ambivalence in publishing his book.  When he finally decided to do so, what significant (and in Barb's opinion, poignant and bittersweet) outcomes came about from a family gathering his grandmother put on?

Check out this blog entry. The writer has a dilemma similar to Mark's from Deaf Again, trapped between being deaf and being hearing.  What parallels do you see between Mark's and his story?  

http://blog.deafread.com/inirini/2008/01/29/hard-of-hearing-culture-hah/