Group Book Study Description:
With the guidance of the Deaf author, participants in this study group will explore Deaf culture and gain an authentic glimpse into the Deaf experiences of the main characters. The study guide is designed to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the novel’s themes through thought-provoking questions and discussion points.
Small groups meet one hour a week for a total of 6 weeks according to the following schedule:
-Week one: Meet the author and get to know each other. Set a reading schedule and
agree on discussion leadership for specific sections of the novel/study guide.
-Weeks two through five: With the guidance of the author, individual group members
take turns leading the group discussions around the study guide questions and prompts.
-Week six: Submission of study guide answers and final wrap up discussion around
personal reflections and applications of growth and learning.
The aim of this book study is to allow participants an opportunity to interact with a published Deaf author who has written a full-length fiction novel with Deaf Characters and discuss story elements plus themes that align with components of Deaf culture. The primary objective is that students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Deaf culture and the cultural traits associated with it via discussion and written responses to a study guide and short personal reflection essays where they explain how certain cultural traits and themes compare with and apply to their own culture.
In reading this novel, having discussions with the author and other participants, plus responding to study guide prompts and questions, participants will immerse themselves into the Deaf-experience of certain characters. This immersion helps participants identify with outlooks, struggles and responses these characters have to the world around them. By engaging in a literary group novel study format, participants will develop leadership skills in guiding the group along during parts of the novel. Participants will engage in discussions which lead to deeper understanding and application of ASL linguistic elements and Deaf culture traits as they apply to different types of people and the larger, dominant society and culture that surrounds them.