Example communications dissertation topic 4:

Inclusivity within communication: Facing the deaf and mute challenge.

Though the world is often portrayed as becoming ‘smaller through communication’, with people becoming ‘ever more connected’, such comments largely ignore the day-to-day lives, exchanges, and communication difficulties faced by deaf and mute communities. This thesis explores whether this is a reality that is in sharp contrast to political pronouncements of inclusivity and community cohesion, or whether changes in technology – such as social networking sites and texting – have seen greater inclusivity for the deaf in the wider community. This dissertation seeks to suggest practical steps across the multiple disciplines of communication, technology, education, and disability studies that include greater communication and IT training in school, and the need for compulsory training in sign language in all primary and secondary schools.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Boyle, C., Scriven, B., Durning, S. and Downes, C. (2011). ‘Facilitating the learning of all students: The ‘professional positive’ of inclusive practice in Australian primary schools’, Support for Learning, Vol. 26, pp. 72-78.
• Foster, S., Mudgett-Decaro, P., Bagga-Gupta, S., De Leuw, L., Domfors, L.-Å., Emerton, G., Lampropoulou, V., Ouellette, S., Van Weert, J. and Welch, O. (2003). ‘Cross-cultural definitions of inclusion for deaf students: A comparative analysis’, Deafness & Education International, Vol. 5(1), pp. 1-19.
• Hamill, A. C. and Stein, C. H. (2011). ‘Culture and empowerment in the deaf community: An analysis of internet weblogs’, Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 21(5), pp. 388-406.