CITATION AND COPYRIGHT INFORMATION:
Cite as: Linderman, A. L. (1997). The deaf story: Themes of culture and coping. Doctoral dissertation, Fuller Theological Seminary. Advisor, Charles H. Kraft.
© Albert Lee Linderman (1997).
You may be able to order a full copy of this dissertation through the author, or through ProQuest Dissertation Express.

ADVISOR:
Charles H. Kraft

ABSTRACT:
Numerous excerpts and vignettes from the life stories of Deaf people in America illustrate the formation, ethos and structures of American Deaf society. Six coping processes of Deaf society are identified. Three of the processes develop because of interaction of Deaf people with hearing people. Three of the processes develop because of interaction between Deaf people. Significant issues faced by Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people are presented and analyzed. No attempt is made to obscure aspects of the society which are perhaps disturbing. At the same time Deaf culture is presented with sensitivity, dignity and respect.

In conjunction with the exploration of Deaf society is a theory of culture which builds on postmodern theory. This theory of culture views culture as a story, a collection of “themes” which are the dynamic processes of Deaf society described above. An integral part of the research is the exploration of the psycho-biographies of three Deaf people who served as primary informants. Also, insights from twenty other respondents is included. The author’s twenty years of immersion in Deaf culture, along with solid anthropological training fuse together in the writing of this dissertation. Readers at the collegiate level will gain valuable understanding about cultural theory as well as receiving an enlightening and useful account of Deaf culture. Deaf and Hearing professionals working in the Deaf community will readily identify with many of the short stories of and by Deaf people. These stories are woven together to provide a tapestry of Deaf culture in America. Insights gained from this will enable them to better influence the relationship of business, governmental and educational organizations to the Deaf community. Implications of this study for the mission of the church are explored. Denominations and mission organizations will benefit not only from the author’s conclusions concerning the implications of the study, but also from the overall understanding of the culture concept.

OTHER MATERIALS BY THIS AUTHOR ON THIS WEBSITE:
See: http://communication.sbs.ohio-state.edu/sense-making/AAauthors/authorlistlinderman.html