SYLLABUS
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I
(A Hands-On Class)
CONTENT
This is a beginning course in American Sign Language. ASL is a language that differs from English in its structure and grammar. This class will focus on developing an expressive and receptive understanding of the basic sentence structure, grammar and vocabulary used in ASL. Dialogues and interactions are demonstrated and controlled to help you master the vocabulary and sentence structure. Portions of the class are conducted without voice. Participation in the dialogues, drills and structured activities is mandatory.
Along with learning sign vocabulary and conversational skills, this class also looks at the topic of deafness and some of the unique developmental, social and cultural qualities associated with deafness. Lectures, reading material and selected videos are designed to help gain perspective and understanding of Deaf people and their culture. College level reading, writing and critical thinking skills will be expected.
EVALUATIONS
Receptive evaluations will be conducted without voice, this is to monitor your ability to understand signed messages. Expressive evaluations will be done individually. Your ability to produce signed messages will be monitored both formally through specific testing and also informally through classroom observation. Written evaluations consisting of short answer, multiple choice, true/false and essay questions will be used to monitor your understanding of lecture materials. Semester projects on various topics related to the Deaf-World will assess your understanding of the issues facing deaf people and their families. Participation in interactions, dialogues and short written response activities will also be monitored. Certain evaluations will be signed in front of your peers.
GRADING
Point values for assignments will be announced when the assignment is given. Late work will lose points. All completed late assignments will receive at least 50% point value. Grades will be awarded as follows:
A 95%-100% C 74%-76%
A- 90%-94% C- 70%-73%
B+ 87%-89% D+ 67%-69%
B 84%-86% D 64%-66%
B- 80%-83% D- 60%-63%
C+ 77%-79% Below 60% is Failing
Extra Credit
Extra credit opportunities will occasionally be provided during class assessments, and as out of class assignments that are optional. Students who desire additional extra credit points must pursue those options on their own, after approval from the instructor. The work must be relevant to ASL, and/or Deaf culture. Extra credit will be limited to a .5 grade increase. (i.e. a C+ to a B-) All required work must be completed before extra credit points will be accepted.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I
(A Hands-On Class)
CONTENT
This is a beginning course in American Sign Language. ASL is a language that differs from English in its structure and grammar. This class will focus on developing an expressive and receptive understanding of the basic sentence structure, grammar and vocabulary used in ASL. Dialogues and interactions are demonstrated and controlled to help you master the vocabulary and sentence structure. Portions of the class are conducted without voice. Participation in the dialogues, drills and structured activities is mandatory.
Along with learning sign vocabulary and conversational skills, this class also looks at the topic of deafness and some of the unique developmental, social and cultural qualities associated with deafness. Lectures, reading material and selected videos are designed to help gain perspective and understanding of Deaf people and their culture. College level reading, writing and critical thinking skills will be expected.
EVALUATIONS
Receptive evaluations will be conducted without voice, this is to monitor your ability to understand signed messages. Expressive evaluations will be done individually. Your ability to produce signed messages will be monitored both formally through specific testing and also informally through classroom observation. Written evaluations consisting of short answer, multiple choice, true/false and essay questions will be used to monitor your understanding of lecture materials. Semester projects on various topics related to the Deaf-World will assess your understanding of the issues facing deaf people and their families. Participation in interactions, dialogues and short written response activities will also be monitored. Certain evaluations will be signed in front of your peers.
GRADING
Point values for assignments will be announced when the assignment is given. Late work will lose points. All completed late assignments will receive at least 50% point value. Grades will be awarded as follows:
A 95%-100% C 74%-76%
A- 90%-94% C- 70%-73%
B+ 87%-89% D+ 67%-69%
B 84%-86% D 64%-66%
B- 80%-83% D- 60%-63%
C+ 77%-79% Below 60% is Failing
Extra Credit
Extra credit opportunities will occasionally be provided during class assessments, and as out of class assignments that are optional. Students who desire additional extra credit points must pursue those options on their own, after approval from the instructor. The work must be relevant to ASL, and/or Deaf culture. Extra credit will be limited to a .5 grade increase. (i.e. a C+ to a B-) All required work must be completed before extra credit points will be accepted.