Ph.D. in Critical Studies in the Education of Deaf Learners

The focus of this course is research as a strategy of inquiry for improving practice and advancing our teaching professions. The general principles of qualitative, quantitative, and action research designs will be considered, along with related problems of measurement, statement, and clarification of research problems, and basic statistical methods for describing data. The goal is to produce professionals who are consumers of research in their fields who can apply research to inform and improve teaching practice, student learning, or the school learning environment.

The proseminar introduces first-year doctoral students to scholarly discourse by providing a foundation for critical inquiry about educational theories, issues and research through analytical reading, synthetical writing, and collegial discussion. Students will gain an understanding of divergent perspectives by applying the tenets of critical pedagogy by: 1) critically reflecting upon individual culture and lived experiences, and challenging inherent assumptions; 2) critically sharing, examining and challenging perspectives about the world and society; and 3) considering acts to diminish social injustice and transform society toward equable education for all deaf individuals. The course is the first of two consecutive proseminars.

The second of two consecutive proseminars enhances the development of scholarly discourse in first-year doctoral students by providing a foundation for critical inquiry about educational theories, issues and research through analytical reading, synthetical writing, and collegial discussion. Students will build upon and enhance their understanding of divergent perspectives gained during the first proseminar by extending the tenets of critical pedagogy through: 1) critically reflections upon individual culture and lived experiences, and challenging inherent assumptions; 2) critical sharing, examining and challenging of perspectives about the world and society; and 3) consideration of acts to diminish social injustice and transform society toward equable education for all deaf individuals.

This course guides the doctoral student in critically examining the complex relationships among language, culture, and literacy and the implications for education in a diverse society. Within this framework, the course will critically address bilingualism, especially as it relates to the development of deaf children. Participants examine, reflect upon, and challenge perspectives and assumptions surrounding language, culture, literacy, and bilingualism, and investigate ways to diminish social injustice and equitable education for deaf individuals.

This course focuses on curriculum as an area of inquiry, including historical, philosophical, cultural, and related foundations. Students examine and analyze strengths, limitations, and implications of varying theoretical perspectives on curriculum development, analysis and evaluation in preschool through higher education in general and deaf education.

This introductory course sequence develops the primary statistical concepts and techniques needed to conduct research. This course presumes no previous statistical background other than college-level algebra or its equivalent. The course goal is to develop many of the basic conceptual theories underlying statistical applications, while also developing a critical perspective toward statistics. Students will develop skills in descriptive statistical analysis, simple correlation procedures, and hypothesis testing. Computer-assisted analysis will complement course work.

This course is designed to develop the ability to locate, review, and critically evaluate research studies. The course focuses on the proper format for research proposals and reports, ethics in research, measurement issues, and sampling. In addition, the student is introduced to quantitative and qualitative approaches to research. The student will develop critical analysis abilities using the criteria of internal and external validity as explicated in experimental design principles.

This course introduces students to qualitative research methods using interactive and applied techniques to teach relevant knowledge and skills. Through the course, students will be expected to conduct their own qualitative pilot study in an ethical manner. Students will develop skills in how to formulate appropriate qualitative research questions, design a qualitative study, determine appropriate methods for establishing trustworthiness, and collect and analyze data using qualitative methods. Students will be exposed to different styles of presenting qualitative research results, and will consider different ways in which qualitative data is used in practice.

Advanced seminar on the theory and practice of research that integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches, methods, and data in a study. The course will address the contemporary interest in mixing methods and how each research paradigm informs the other, and the various design conceptualizations in which qualitative and quantitative goals, questions, methods, and analysis strategies can be productively combined. Challenges of implementing mixed methods practices will also be critiqued.

The purpose of this second course in statistics is to develop specific concepts and techniques to conduct basic inferential statistical analysis. The course emphasizes application skills, i.e., the ability to fit the appropriate analysis to a particular data set. Students will learn to conduct and interpret the most often used inferential tests for research and evaluation projects. Computer software will be used to complement course work and analysis.

This course is intended to develop professional competencies in two areas: (a) knowledge and use of the following approaches to research: experimental, quasi-experimental, causal-comparative, correlational research, single subject, case study, survey research, grounded theory, ethnography, and other methodologies of interest to the class; and (b) development of formal research proposals for conducting research in low-incidence populations.

This seminar introduces first-year doctoral students to scholarly discourse. Students will explore what it means to engage in academic writing and how academic writing is different from other types of writing. Specifically, this course covers how to develop a research question or thesis statement, how to search for sources strategically, how to evaluate sources, and how to craft an argument using sources. APA formatting guidelines for academic papers and ASL guidelines for academic presentations are also covered in detail.

This seminar addresses professional writing and presentation skills needed by many doctoral level professionals in education. Students analyze and evaluate grant proposals, published articles, and presentations for structure, word choice, voice, and content. They construct short manuscripts that adhere to the American Psychological Association style format. In addition, students prepare media-enhanced presentations for professional audiences, including parent groups, teachers, school administrators, and professional conferences.

This course is offered to doctoral students to prepare their comprehensive examinations for review. The purpose of this exam is to evaluate the student's success in attaining expertise in a related set of scholarly areas sufficient for using critical theory and conducting original, advanced research in a specialization area.  The student will register for the course with their advisor. For this course, students will develop their portfolios, including dissertation concept papers, with guidance from their advisor.

This course is designed to educate candidates about state and federal education policies, particularly as they pertain to bilingualism. In addition, the course addresses a basic working knowledge of regulations essential to the role and as bilingual early childhood professionals. Candidates will implement policies and regulations using the language planning framework in their work in homes, schools and agencies, and the community. It elaborates and builds upon knowledge and dispositions learned in foundation courses.

This course introduces the candidates theoretical perspectives and current research of bilingualism. It is designed for the candidates to acquire an understanding of the concepts related to the development of bilingual language abilities (signacy, oracy, and literacy) for children 0-5 years of age. This course examines bilingual communities, bilingual deaf and hearing children and their language development and use, the bilingual brain, language maintenance and shift, transference, code switching and language attitudes. The course will also address historical and cultural aspects of bilingualism in early childhood deaf children.

This course describes the early development of ASL and English in young deaf and hard of hearing children and their impact on cognitive development. The course examines how deaf and hard of hearing children go through developmental stages of acquiring and learning American Sign Language, which is similar to how hearing children go through developmental stages of acquiring a spoken language and how this development is tied to cognitive functions that are the precursors for further linguistic and academic growth (sign babbling, sign jargon, first words, ASL grammatical development and vocabulary expansion). In addition, the course will address factors intrinsic to the bilingual child as well as to the environment that promote and/or prevent their linguistic and cognitive development.

This course will address individualized planning for language and emergent literacy development that can be used as a guide for teaching and learning interventions to support a child's linguistic competence in American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Candidates will apply various American Sign Language (ASL) and English assessment tools to explore ways of assessing diverse deaf and hard-of-hearing candidates' language and literacy acquisition and learning at home and at school. Based on the results of these assessments, the Candidates will reflect on and identify the bilingual methodology approaches to meet the ASL and English language and literacy needs of candidates. They will apply these strategies to home plan, lesson and unit planning, and within their settings.

This course is designed to prepare the candidates to apply an ASL/English Bilingual Framework in Early Childhood Education for deaf and hard of hearing children. This framework describes how the acquisition and learning of ASL and English (written and spoken) are being facilitated. This course reflects upon bilingual models and concepts and discusses the language planning process required to establish an environment that demonstrates value for both languages. Also, it focuses on meeting the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing children and families that it serves. Use of bilingual methodologies, assessment, effective strategies, and language teaching including signacy, oracy and literacy and critical pedagogy will be addressed.

ASL and English Bilingualism at home and in school promotes healthy language development and communication, and creates positive self-esteem among deaf/hard of hearing children from diverse backgrounds. This course/seminar is designed for professionals to acquire the knowledge and skills to work collaboratively with diverse families and other professionals to support the bilingual development and education of young deaf and hard of hearing children. Participants will discuss a working model of bilingual language acquisition (American Sign Language and English), approaches to providing support and encouragement to families, ways to promote positive communication with families, and the creation of culturally responsive and inclusive early childhood educational communities for all families. IN addition, participants will apply a basic working knowledge of Part C and Part B of the IDEA regulations as members of an early childhood education team.

This course provides students with a broad overview of the history of curriculum in deaf education, which provides the foundation for understanding modern practices in deaf education. Students will be introduced to a variety of curricula used in deaf education, and they will be provided with tools to help evaluate the fit of a curriculum in their context. Finally, strategies for working with teachers to ensure fidelity of curriculum implementation will be discussed.

The course deals in-depth with the history and role of schooling in American society. It addresses the nature and roots of curriculum as well as relationships between child development and curriculum, teacher education, and evaluation. Various model programs across the nation will be explored. Students become familiar with theories of curriculum, and important trends in early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels, including special education. The course specifically addresses the challenges facing the educational leader, including teacher educators, as reflected in the professional literature.

Students explore organizational change and leadership in educational organizations, including K-12 schools, schools for the deaf, school districts, and teacher education. This course examines basic organizational theories and models of leadership and management including management styles, strategic planning, organizational improvement, stakeholder engagement, and personal leadership. There will be specific emphasis on shared leadership, communication skills, and promotion of equitable and inclusive environments.

This doctoral-level field experience course provides students with opportunities to experience practices related to clinical supervision of in-service or pre-service teachers, including observation and conferencing techniques, record-keeping, and providing instructional leadership. This course consists of seminars and field experiences. Seminars are used for sharing experiences with peers and exploring various approaches in teacher evaluation, with an emphasis on inclusive and equitable practices and minimizing bias. A minimum of 50 hours of field experience is required for this course.

This course is designed to build on the knowledge gained during previous special education course work and goes deeper into government oversight of special education, including statutory, regulatory, and case law. As the governing documents for providing free appropriate public education, IEPs are given special attention. Students will experience the full IEP process from development through implementation.

This course considers educational institutions as political entities that are influenced by policy and political ideologies. Federal policies impacting schools from kindergarten to post-secondary levels are examined, and their consequences are analyzed. Roles of educational institutions in implementing change to promote social justice and equity are considered.

This internship provides an intensive school-based experience for students to develop their skills as school-based leaders and administrators. A minimum of 60 clock hours per credit hour must be completed in the internship setting.

This course introduces the fundamentals of general, special, and bilingual education and how they are infused into deaf education. It will also acquaint candidates with current trends and issues, and research in the education of Deaf and hard of hearing learners of all ages, including historic and current objectives, techniques, and results. The cultural, historical, philosophical, psychological, linguistic and social aspects of the Deaf community will also be addressed from educational perspective. Candidates are challenged to rethink their conceptualization of ''Deaf education'' as well as ''general education'' based on their perceptions of their own cultural dimensions. The course typically is taken in the first semester of study.

This course is designed to provide the students with the knowledge of the specific linguistic structures and introduce them to basic similarities and differences in the linguistic structures and uses of American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Examining categories from a universal perspective, the linguistic contrastive analysis is accomplished by focusing on: phonological and morphological processes, syntactic properties, discourse types, word classes, and linguistic variation in Deaf and Hearing communities in the United States. Also, the students will examine the basic phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic features of ASL and English. Application of the instructional ASL/English linguistics and structures in the classroom and activities will be presented. Students will develop activity plans, and adapt and implement the methodologies and materials used in ASL/English learning to the needs of the individual Deaf/Hard of Hearing child.

This course addresses literacy instruction through a bilingual and ESL instructional methodology in general bilingual education and their application to a diverse group of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Students will apply the theories and instructional strategies they learn during their practicum experiences, and reflect on these applications through on-line, group activities, and assignments designed to promote the creation of optimal bilingual k-12 classrooms.

This course presents an overview of the theories, theorists, and paradigms within the domains of language acquisition and cognitive development in hearing learners and compares and contrasts this body of information with the emerging body of knowledge on the language and communication development of children who are deaf/hard of hearing.

The course focuses on examining the impact language acquisition has on: cognitive development, social and emotional development, & literacy development from infancy through early childhood and throughout the school years. The roles caregivers and teachers play in promoting and supporting language, communication, and literacy are also examined.

This course is the second course in the Department of Education’s required language series, following EDU 707 “The Structures and Application of ASL and English in the Classroom.”

This course introduces the candidates theoretical perspectives and current research of bilingualism. It is designed for the candidates to acquire an understanding of the concepts related to the development of bilingual language abilities (signacy, oracy, and literacy) for children 0-5 years of age. This course examines bilingual communities, bilingual deaf and hearing children and their language development and use, the bilingual brain, language maintenance and shift, transference, code switching and language attitudes. The course will also address historical and cultural aspects of bilingualism in early childhood deaf children.

This course describes the early development of ASL and English in young deaf and hard of hearing children and their impact on cognitive development. The course examines how deaf and hard of hearing children go through developmental stages of acquiring and learning American Sign Language, which is similar to how hearing children go through developmental stages of acquiring a spoken language and how this development is tied to cognitive functions that are the precursors for further linguistic and academic growth (sign babbling, sign jargon, first words, ASL grammatical development and vocabulary expansion). In addition, the course will address factors intrinsic to the bilingual child as well as to the environment that promote and/or prevent their linguistic and cognitive development.

This course will address individualized planning for language and emergent literacy development that can be used as a guide for teaching and learning interventions to support a child's linguistic competence in American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Candidates will apply various American Sign Language (ASL) and English assessment tools to explore ways of assessing diverse deaf and hard-of-hearing candidates' language and literacy acquisition and learning at home and at school. Based on the results of these assessments, the Candidates will reflect on and identify the bilingual methodology approaches to meet the ASL and English language and literacy needs of candidates. They will apply these strategies to home plan, lesson and unit planning, and within their settings.

This course is designed to prepare the candidates to apply an ASL/English Bilingual Framework in Early Childhood Education for deaf and hard of hearing children. This framework describes how the acquisition and learning of ASL and English (written and spoken) are being facilitated. This course reflects upon bilingual models and concepts and discusses the language planning process required to establish an environment that demonstrates value for both languages. Also, it focuses on meeting the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing children and families that it serves. Use of bilingual methodologies, assessment, effective strategies, and language teaching including signacy, oracy and literacy and critical pedagogy will be addressed.

This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary transnational Deaf public sphere. Students will study the origination and spread of international meetings among Deaf people and the concurrent formation of transnational Deaf networks. Students will study key concepts and review case studies in transnational studies which will then be used to interrogate the nature of interconnections between Deaf communities across the globe.

This course introduces students to the field of International Development by examining the history, theories, and models of development. Drawing on a range of case studies, students gain an understanding of development as a set of institutions and networks that emerged in the post WW II period and proliferated primarily throughout the Global South, facilitated by neoliberal policies. Critically analyzing the role of development organizations from the Global North in foreign assistance, as well as their influence on social policies and political decision-making, students will apply their insights to current development issues, controversies, and debates.

This course expands upon IDP 770: Introduction to International Development by exploring human rights frameworks currently reshaping the field of international development, particularly with respect to sustainable development goals. IDP-771 applies human rights theories and models to case studies from Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, signed language communities, and persons with disabilities around the world to analyze human rights indicators in the context of sustainability, as well as social movements, grassroots activism, and other forms of non-governmental organizing work. This course also examines the impact of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assistance projects/programs, international laws, and social protection policies for communities at the local, regional, national and international level.

This course explores how micropolitical factors shape individual experiences and social relations within and between groups. Understanding human experiences and practices connected to gender, race, ethnicity, language, disability, sexuality (and so on) as changeable, contradictory, and often situation-specific, we will examine personal choices, identities, and community formations as legacies of and responses to the ways power is organized under late-modern capitalism and post-colonial international relations. Drawing from a wide range of social scientific materials, we will pay especial attention to intersections of race and class, as well as local, national, and global affiliation in the formation and transformation of people's lives. Course activities focus on the project level in which development takes place, allowing students to examine those social categories that most impact development outcomes, associated political processes, and individual and group action of the group or groups selected for the semester project.

This course builds upon IDP 770 and 772 by focusing on the intersections between race, gender and sexuality in international development agendas emphasizing the role of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing people and people with disabilities. Drawing on theoretical and practical cases, students will explore the ways that race, gender and sexuality shape individual and group identities including diverse practices, perspectives and creative development action. Through critical analysis of the course's core concepts, students will develop insight into the social issues faced by particular groups around the world, as well as the ways that others forms of categorization further impact social inequalities, such as: socioeconomic class, social hierarchies, disability, ethnicity, family structures and expectations, language and communication, and religion.

This course focuses on collaborative formulation, development and evaluation of programs working with Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people and people with disabilities in disaster and humanitarian contexts. Exploring current philosophical, theoretical, and methodological stances related to collaborative program development, course activities demonstrate the salience of international human rights frameworks for sign language-centered leadership and disability rights, and connect these to bi- and multilateral organizational and funding channels now undergoing enhancement as a result of the United Nations introduction of the Sustainable Development Goals. Using the latter as a foundation to identifying socioeconomic problems and barriers to self-determination, participation, and equity, students will design program proposals in response to an actual Request for Proposal (RFP). Work on peer teams, students will then submit an Evaluation Plan for an actual program. In addition to cultivating program development and evaluation skills, course activities provide students with opportunities to practice program management skills and grant-writing experience.

IDP 775 introduces students to the design, planning, and implementation of community development projects with Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing people, signed language communities, and people with disabilities with a focus on disaster and humanitarian contexts. Theoretical frameworks address the nature of social change in societies around the world, the interrelationship between inequitable social conditions and efforts such conditions, and the value of local constituencies’ involvement in shaping change. Students will develop essential skills for designing projects, as well as training in collaborative team-building and facilitation of projects that are sensitive to local communities’ viewpoints, social interests, and leadership in local and international development networks.

Students are introduced to significant topics in international relations that affect economic and social development. Among the topics to be included will be: theories of the nation-state; theories of peace and war; theories, perspectives and measures of economic and social development; the role of international organizations and international law related to conflict resolution and development; Case studies of development reflecting various perspectives; and the role of women and disabled people as both participants and subjects of the development process.

This seminar is first in a series and provides a forum for doctoral students to explore and discuss beliefs and practices related to teaching undergraduate and graduate university education courses; topics include course design, course preparation and presentation, use of appropriate technology and media, organizing effective participatory learning, inclusive and equitable practices, developing and using effecting teaching strategies and standards-based assessment techniques, and mentoring for reflective teaching/learning. In addition to seminars, the doctoral student will complete a minimum of 20 (twenty) hours of field experience consisting of classroom observation and conferencing with university faculty.

This doctoral-level field experience course provides students with opportunities to experience practices related to clinical supervision of in-service or pre-service teachers, including observation and conferencing techniques, record-keeping, and providing instructional leadership. This course consists of seminars and field experiences. Seminars are used for sharing experiences with peers and exploring various approaches in teacher evaluation, with an emphasis on inclusive and equitable practices and minimizing bias. A minimum of 50 hours of field experience is required for this course.

This course provides students with a broad overview of the history of curriculum in deaf education, which provides the foundation for understanding modern practices in deaf education. Students will be introduced to a variety of curricula used in deaf education, and they will be provided with tools to help evaluate the fit of a curriculum in their context. Finally, strategies for working with teachers to ensure fidelity of curriculum implementation will be discussed.

The course deals in-depth with the history and role of schooling in American society. It addresses the nature and roots of curriculum as well as relationships between child development and curriculum, teacher education, and evaluation. Various model programs across the nation will be explored. Students become familiar with theories of curriculum, and important trends in early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels, including special education. The course specifically addresses the challenges facing the educational leader, including teacher educators, as reflected in the professional literature.

Students explore organizational change and leadership in educational organizations, including K-12 schools, schools for the deaf, school districts, and teacher education. This course examines basic organizational theories and models of leadership and management including management styles, strategic planning, organizational improvement, stakeholder engagement, and personal leadership. There will be specific emphasis on shared leadership, communication skills, and promotion of equitable and inclusive environments.

The student assumes a major role for teaching a graduate course within the Department of Education under the supervision of a faculty mentor. The primary purpose of this practicum is to develop the doctoral student's ability to plan, teach, and evaluate the effectiveness of a graduate-level course in a content area in which the student has expertise.

This course is designed to build on the knowledge gained during previous special education course work and goes deeper into government oversight of special education, including statutory, regulatory, and case law. As the governing documents for providing free appropriate public education, IEPs are given special attention. Students will experience the full IEP process from development through implementation.

This course uses a disability studies approach to familiarize students with major trends and issues in special education with a focus on deaf students with disabilities. Topics include historical roots, perception of disability, policies impacting students with disabilities, labeling, overrepresentation, and discipline. Other topics in the course include research in the education of deaf students with disabilities, developing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), examining instructional practices, and working with families.

This course introduces students to a variety of classroom management approaches and techniques, with an emphasis on working with students who have disabilities. Students are provided with a foundation and background in behavior management and discipline in special education. They will also consider theories and techniques that apply to individual students, classroom communities, and schoolwide communities.

In this course students will examine current trends and concerns which characterize the changing American family and draw implications for education, students with disabilities and their families. They will examine family, community and school structures, patterns and relationships. Students will explore a variety of theories, concepts, principles, and models utilized when implementing effective family, school, and community partnership, in addition to collaboration among IEP team members and when working with other professionals, in regard to students and families with special and diverse needs. Students will identify and discuss the uses and applications of community and school resources in supporting families and students with disabilities. They will also learn and stimulate techniques for interacting with parents and examine collaboration strategies for interdisciplinary team efforts. In addition, students will focus on topic/challenges that face families with children with disabilities such as: sibling support, respite care, financial planning, transition planning, independent living and IEP meetings.

This course is designed to prepare graduate students to address issues related to language and literacy development for deaf students with disabilities. Topics include language and communication disorders, augmentative and alternative communication systems, cultural influence on language and literacy development, and how language and communication impact classroom performance. The course will also provide strategies to promote metacognitive skills and literacy development.

This course provides an overview of functional academics for deaf students with disabilities. Topics include teaching vocational skills, teaching life skills, supporting motor development, supporting social-emotional development, developing transition plans, and selecting assistive technology devices. Course assignments are designed to allow students to apply these concepts in their current teaching setting.

The course reviews what it means to be an effective teacher and introduces the concepts of universal design for learning (UDL) as well as differentiation to meet the needs of deaf students who have disabilities. Further studied is the concept of multiple literacies and access to content and opportunity for the development of literate and metacognitive thought. The lesson plan format is augmented with the development of tiered lessons by addressing three levels of content, process and/or product expectations as determined by interest level, learning style or readiness. In addition, candidates will become familiar with a variety of instructional strategies based on evidence-based practice in general and special education, the hierarchy of cognitive applications in Bloom's Taxonomy, Barbara Given's 5 natural learning systems, Robert Sternberg's Triarchic Intelligence model, as well as Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences. Evidence of learning focuses on the student's ability to prepare and teach developed lesson plans, and document student learning in clear and concise manner using visual documentation strategies. Candidates are taught to encourage a) self-regulation and other self-determination skills in their students; b) social interaction and true discussion as a method for developing metacognition; and c) developing receptive and expressive learning pathways for academic discourse.

Students in the class will focus on concepts and methods of assessment in special education with an emphasis on administering, scoring, interpreting, and reporting on standardized educational tests. In addition, emphasis will be placed on administration and interpretation of formal and informal diagnostic procedures, diagnostic reports, IEP development, and professional ethics.