ASL: American Sign Language

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I Introduction to American Sign Language with emphasis on vocabulary used by deaf adults. Includes introduction to history and culture of deafness in America and linguistic structure and conceptual vocabulary of conversational (expressive and receptive) sign language skills. Describes various manual communication systems and philosophies. A minimum of C is required if being used to satisfy the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in ASL 2140 or equivalent (two years of high school ASL completed within the last three years and department approval). Continuation of ASL 2140 emphasizing intermediate level sign language vocabulary and use of signing space. Provides a greater opportunity for skill development in ASL structure. A minimum grade of C is required if being used to satisfy the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III Prerequisite: ASL 2150 or departmental approval Advanced course for students who have previous course work in other manual communication systems but have no extensive background in the grammatical structures and regional idiomatic usage of American Sign Language. The production of non- voiced, conversational, spontaneous signed sentences is the goal of this course. Emphasis on the ability to 'read' signed phrases and sentences will be an integral part of the course. A minimum grade of C is required if being used to satisfy the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IV Prerequisite: ASL 2160 or department approval Designed for students who have previous course work in other manual communication systems in the complex grammar, facial expression, metaphorical and idiomatic vocabulary of American Sign Language. Gives students advanced skills in fluent, conversational receptive and expressive American Sign Language. Additional production of non-voiced, conversational, spontaneous signed sentences is the goal of this course. Continued emphasis on the ability to "read" signed phrases and sentences will be an integral part of the course.

STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in ASL 2160 or equivalent and department approval. A study of the phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and discourse structure of American Sign Language, with additional discussions of the biological basis of language and communication.

FINGERSPELLING The study and practice of fingerspelling techniques to improve receptive and expressive fingerspelling proficiency beyond basic skill levels.

DEAF CULTURE Prerequisite: ENC 1101, ENC 1101H, or IDH 1110 An overview of deafness with emphasis on its impact on the individual, the family, and the social patterns of the deaf community and culture, as well as historical and changing atitudes toward persons with disabilities. Minimum grade of C is required if ASL 2510 is used to satisfy Gordon Rule and General Education Requirements.

METHODS OF TEACHING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in ASL 2160 or departmental approval Provides overview of how second languages have traditionally been taught, discusses current theories and approaches design and instructional methods in second language acquisition and the teaching and learning of American Sign Language and Deaf community and culture. Students are provided opportunities to practice basic teaching techniques, select appropriate materials, design curriculum and evaluation techniques, including how to teach cultural and grammatical features in lessons. Students learn about resources to support their efforts to teach sign language.

1ST AND 2ND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in ASL 2160 or departmental approval This course discusses the nature and issues of first and second language acquisition(SLA); the findings of SLA and possible implications in teaching ASL as a native/heritage language and/or a second/world language; outlining issues in ASL/Deaf Studies, second language teaching; and offers perspectives into such issues.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE LITERATURE Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in ASL 2160 or departmental approval Introduction to American Sign Language literature as recorded on videotape or film and in live performance; art, traditional folklore, storytelling, poetry, drama, oratory, jokes, and nonfiction narrative; analysis of genres in their social and cultural contexts as expressions of Deaf identity and the Deaf experience; how historical and current issues in Deaf culture are represented in literary form.