American Sign Language

This beginning course introduces students to American Sign Language (ASL), the language used by the American Deaf community and parts of Anglophone Canada. Students focus on developing visual-spatial orientation, using their face and body expressively, and learning targeted vocabulary and grammatical features needed to discuss interpersonal topics at a novice level. Students will develop conversational abilities and apply culturally appropriate behaviors. Lessons are presented in a meaningful/functional context that often requires participation with other students or the whole class. Receptive (what you understand) skills are emphasized; however, expressive (what/how you sign) skills are practiced as well. Cultural aspects of the Deaf community are explored through literature and required community events. All of our ASL courses are fully signing-immersed courses to promote best learning outcomes. Three class hours and one language lab hour per week. Instructional Support Fee applies. Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Human Expression and Oral Communication.

Building on the foundation of Elementary American Sign Language I (ASL 101), the language used by the American Deaf community and parts of Anglophone Canada, students further develop visual-spatial orientation and using their face and body expressively. They continue to acquire targeted vocabulary and grammatical features needed to discuss interpersonal topics with more depth and elaboration. This course also focuses on the refinement and consistent use of vocabulary and grammar skills already acquired. Students develop conversational abilities that are more natural, confident and spontaneous while demonstrating sophisticated, culturally appropriate behaviors. Lessons are presented in a meaningful/functional context that often require participation with other students or the whole class. Receptive (what you understand) skills are emphasized; however, expressive (what/how you sign) skills are practiced and assessed, as well, Cultural aspects of the diverse Deaf community are explored through literature and required community events. All of our ASL courses are taught using a signing-immersion approach to promote best learning outcomes. Prerequisite(s): ASL 101. Three lecture hours per week. Competency met: Human Expression

This seminar provides students with a foundation in the visual/gestural skills necessary for acquiring American Sign Language. Students engage in activities that promote visual-spatial awareness, gestural awareness and visual processing skills. One lecture hour and one laboratory hour per week. Instructional Support Fee applies.

This course focuses on further developing and refining basic receptive and expressive American Sign Language skills, and visual-spatial orientation acquired in ASL 101 and ASL 102. More complex vocabulary and grammar are presented in context and figurative language introduced. Expressive skills will be stressed. To further develop receptive and expressive competence, students are expected to attend community events and/or perform community service in an American Sign Language environment. Prerequisite: ASL 102 with a grade of C or better. Three class hours and one lab hour per week. Instructional Support Fee applies. Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Human Expression.

This course is a continuation of ASL 201. This course further develops and refines the receptive and expressive American Sign Language skill, visual-spatial orientation, vocabulary, figurative language, and complex syntax acquired in ASL 101, ASL 102, and ASL 201. The course stresses expressive skills. Students are expected to attend community events and/or perform community service in an American Sign Language environment to further develop receptive and expressive competence. Prerequisite: ASL 201 with a grade of C or better. Three class hours and one lab hour per week. Instructional Support Fee applies. Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Human Expression.

Students develop and demonstrate their understanding of professionalism and engage in American Sign Language and Deaf cultural norms through community-based learning and community engagement. Students are immersed in a professional environment serving the Deaf/Hard-of-hearing community. Requirements include: four to six hours weekly in a non-paid, supervised, community-based learning site, and an orientation followed by three seminar meetings with the program director and cohort for guided reflection, discussions, and readings related to these experiences. Course should be taken during the final semester of any Deaf Studies degree program. Co-requisite: ASL 284. One lecture hour per week. Instructional Support Fee applies.

This course further develops and refines the American Sign Language receptive and expressive skills and visual-gestural skills acquired in ASL 101 - ASL 202 to ensure discourse competency. This course builds the student's lexical base to include sign variations found across regions, ethnicities and generations. The course introduces formal and informal narrative styles. Students engage in a more intense study of the non-manual, linguistic features found in ASL as well as more sophisticated communication and narration, in general. This course is conducted entirely in ASL. Students are required to engage in ASL or Deaf cultural events as part of this course. Prerequisite: ASL 202 with a C or better. Three class hours and two lab hours per week. Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Human Expression.

This course is a continuation of ASL 301. The course builds on the skills examined and practiced in AMS 21 and provides an intense study and application of advanced American Sign Language competencies. This course also provides a survey of the linguistic structure of ASL particularly its phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. This course is conducted entirely in ASL. Expressive and receptive abilities are enhanced and practiced in native/immersion environments. Prerequisite: ASL 301 with a C or better. Three class hours and two lab hours per week. Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Human Expression.