Name: Kari Sween
Position: Assistant Professor – American Sign Language and American Sign Language Coordinator
Education:
- M.S. in Teaching and Learning, Minnesota State University, Mankato, 2021
- B.A. in Education, Minnesota State University, Mankato, 2008
- Sign Language Proficiency Interview: Superior Plus Rating
Teaching:
It is my greatest passion to teach American Sign Language (ASL) in a safe space for students so they can learn to communicate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. In addition to teaching ASL, it is equally important to understand the communication barriers that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people face every day. My goal is to reduce these barriers by raising awareness about ASL and Deaf culture.
Current Courses:
CDIS 205: Beginning American Sign Language - Level I
CDIS 307: Advanced American Sign Language – Level III
CDIS 308: Conversations in ASL
CDIS 404: Deaf Studies: Deaf Culture, History, and Social Justice
CDIS 407: Advanced American Sign Language – Level IV
CDIS 676: Seminar: Selected Topics in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Areas of Interest:
- Dismantling communication barriers
- Understanding audism and discrimination (direct/indirect)
- Social justice and legal rights in the D/HH community
- Spreading ASL education and awareness in the community
- Early Intervention in D/HH children in SLP/Audiology field
Publications (selected):
Presentations (selected):
- College of Allied Health and Nursing: Cultural Humility Series (1) Presentation with Joel Sween
- College of Allied Health and Nursing: Healthcare Access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients
- Scholars at Work Conference: Communication Barriers in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
- College of Humanities and Social Science (Law Enforcement): Communicating with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Law Enforcement
- Disability Affinity Alliance: Teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Post Secondary Education
- Minnesota Speech-Language Hearing Association Poster Presentation: Culturally Responsive Practices with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients and Students (co-presented with Dr. Kristi Oeding)
- Southwest Metro Equity Summit: Dismantling Communication Barriers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and Children of Deaf Adults (CODA) (co-presented with Julianne Kinney)
