Deaf Studies Course Debuts in Fall 2021

We are excited to announce that the UWW Department of Interdisciplinary Studies will be offering Introduction to Deaf Studies (UWW 397P) online starting in fall 2021. 

Taught by UWW Academic Advisor and Part-Time Lecturer Myles Sanders, this is the only Deaf Studies course offered at the university. 

This upper-level, interdisciplinary course will provide an overview of the history, language, culture, societal contributions, diverse experiences of, and controversies within the Deaf community, and will provide students with knowledge and skills essential for working with people who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Topics will include: modes of communication, educational philosophies, socioeconomic issues, technologies used, myths about, and systemic discrimination faced by Deaf and hard of hearing people. This is not an American Sign Language (ASL) class.  

This class is being designed to help fulfill upper-level requirements for a wide range of degree concentrations, and may be of particular interest to students studying Applied Psychology, Children’s Learning and Development, Criminal Justice Studies, Health Studies, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, and Advocacy and Social Justice. Talk to your faculty or academic advisor about adding this course to your degree plan. 

Myles Sanders grew up with a Deaf sibling, is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), and has close connections with the Deaf community. He has an Associate degree in Deaf Studies from Holyoke Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Elms College, and both an MBA and MS in Organizational Leadership from Nichols College.