CSS Curriculum Courses

A component of NTID’s Career Exploration Studies program, this course sharpens students' ability to think clearly, logically and creatively and to communicate knowledge effectively in an academic setting. To support their entry into college and their search for an academic program, students will learn critical thinking strategies for examining issues and solving problems. Course topics include solving problems using a problem solving process model; exploring problem solving tools and strategies using campus resources, professional and proactive communication behaviors and personal attributes for success; and applying knowledge of students’ rights and responsibilities to facilitate effective problem solving for academic and personal/social problems. The importance of thinking critically across various communication contexts (i.e., face-to-face interactions, written correspondence, group discussions, and presentations) will be stressed.

The description for each Independent Study request will be specified in each course proposal.

This course examines the role of communication as it relates to establishing, maintaining, and ending relationships. Topics include: relationship development; self-concept; perceptions and first impressions; stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination; conflict resolution; active and passive listening; personal and social values; self-disclosure; gender-related communication; intercultural competence; and social networking.

This course is intended to provide students with an introduction to the concepts of culture, communication, and communication across cultures by incorporating social, economic and political contexts and examining the differences among the world’s population. The students will learn about the relationship between culture and communication, increase their understanding of the communication relationship created by language, understand how that relationship differs when communicating across cultures, and examine how to reduce potential conflicts. Students will study a variety of cultures from around the globe including, but not limited to, African-American, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian Cultures, along with cultural differences related to religion, gender, the military, and Deaf culture. Communication within and across the cultures will be examined, along with differences between the deaf and hearing co-cultures.

This course will challenge students to analyze and compare various perceptions about Black American life in the 21st century. This course includes but is not limited to racial, economic, and ideological shifts and their impact on past and current events. Cultural influences will be traced from early Western Africa to the United States. Viewpoints on identity, language, relationships, and generational differences will be explored through assigned readings and interviews. Students will lead the class in open dialogues associated with their researched topics. In addition, varying perspectives will be presented through lectures, guest speakers and personal experiences from individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds. Upon completion of this course, it is anticipated that students will have broader knowledge of the multidimensional aspects of the Black experience.

This course focuses on the information and skills needed to be a knowledgeable, effective participant in small groups and teams. Topics related to group dynamics and team building are addressed at the practical and theoretical levels. These topics include characteristics of effective teams, stages of group development, how groups operate for different outcomes, group versus personal goals, the role of diversity, and group decision-making and conflict management strategies.

This course examines interpersonal and small group communications in organizational settings in today's global, corporate climate, with emphasis on important aspects of communication for deaf individuals entering a professional career. Students become familiar with the business environments of large and small companies and the implication of company size regarding personnel decisions. Case studies from selected corporations provide insights into elements of communication processes such as networks (electronic and non-electronic), organizational structures, managerial decision-making, interviewing, organizational development, and conflict resolution. Companies' perspectives on hiring culturally and ethnically diverse individuals and Deaf individuals are discussed. Laws, such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), related to the hiring and support of disabled workers are addressed. Additionally, processes to effectively communicate and market entrepreneurial business plans as a strategy for employment in an evolving world economy will be reviewed.

This course sharpens students' ability to think clearly, logically and creatively in order to establish well-supported solutions and conclusions in a variety of situations. Critical thinking and reasoning strategies are learned and applied. Course topics include problem solving, the types and general rules of arguments, the analysis of arguments and rhetoric found in contemporary life, and argumentative writing and presentation. The importance of thinking critically and effectively during communication regardless of modality (writing, reading, signing, speaking, listening) is stressed.

Internet and social media platforms have led to an information-saturated digital world in which it can be difficult to know what is true, trustworthy, and worth resharing. This course will help students become Well-informed, Independent, Strategic, and Ethical (W.I.S.E.) consumers of digital information. Digital literacy skills such as information literacy, digital citizenship, and the importance of cultivating a positive and professional online presence (digital footprint) will be discussed. Students will develop analytical skills as news consumers and practice strategies for communicating responsibly and ethically across social media platforms. Students will learn how to evaluate the credibility of sources using fact-checking strategies and engage in ethical decision making to manage misinformation and disinformation. Invited guest lecturers will expand upon topics unique to D/deaf consumers.

This course is a faculty-directed student research project at the undergraduate level. The research will entail an in-depth study in the discipline that could be considered of an original nature. Enrollment in this course requires permission from the Department Chair and completion of the NTID Undergraduate Research Contract.

The description for each Special Topics request will be specified in each course proposal.

This course is an introduction to the Cued Speech system of representing spoken American English, its history, and application. Students will increase their awareness of spoken English and the pronunciation of words in conversation. They will also understand and describe the purpose of Cued Speech, as well as identify other populations and uses for Cued Speech. Students will understand the language learning benefits of Cued Speech. Upon completion of the course students will be able to accurately use Cued Speech to convey spoken American English. Students will receive credit for INTP-371 or NCOM-371, not both.

This course is a blended course (classroom/online) that builds upon the foundations of the Cued Speech System. Cued Speech is a phonemically based system that uses hand shapes and mouth movements to represent spoken language, in this case spoken American English. In this course, students will practice transliterating from spoken American English to cued spoken American English in order to increase speed and fluency while maintaining accuracy of the Cued Speech system. Students will also boost receptive abilities by watching online videos of deaf native users of Cued American English. This class will prepare the students for transliterating in the classroom. They will also deepen their understanding of the research and methodology behind the applications of Cued Speech via reading research articles and presenting their findings to the class. Various transliterators will visit the class to discuss their experiences with Cued Speech while explaining the process of achieving certification at the national level.

The description for the special topics course will be specified in each course proposal.