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REFERENCE BOOKS: Fant, Lou; The American Sign Language Phrase Book
Valli, Clayton; The Gallaudet American Sign Language Dictionary
COURSE METHOD: Lecture, demonstration, dialogue, storytelling, individual and group activities, hands-on activities
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
American Sign Language (ASL) 2 is a course for students who have successfully completed ASL 1. ASL 2 will build
upon material learned in ASL 1. New grammar and vocabulary with a focus on everyday communication will be covered.
Further development will focus on visual communication followed by intensive work on comprehension and
communication skills; modeling of grammatical structures; general information about Deaf culture, community based
learning. Along with lecture and grammar demonstration, you will exercise dialogue, storytelling, hands-on activities,
attend off-campus events and do class projects and in-class presentations.
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
1. Demonstrate comprehension and effectively produce ASL sentences with appropriate syntactical structure using
appropriate facial expressions.
2. Recognize ASL sentences with classifiers and verb incorporation.
3. Demonstrate recognition and knowledge of Deaf art/literature and famous Deaf people.
4. Identify correct Deaf cultural values, norms and beliefs.
In addition, students will also strategies in learning how to:
1. Focus on the meaning rather than the individual signs during a conversation (whole vs. parts)
2. Confirm signed information by asking questions or using the sign in context
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COURSE OUTLINE: the study of specific areas
Unit 7
identifying present people
describing personal items
describing lost items
Unit 8
making requests
agreeing with conditions
asking for advice
Unit 9
discussing neighborhoods
describing your own neighborhood
describing a restaurant
suggesting a place to eat
Unit 10
giving opinions about tendencies
giving opinions about personal qualities
comparing personal qualities
looking for a misplaced object
COURSE GRADING:
Attendance in class and fulfillment of class assignments are the main determinants of the course grade. Competence in
ASL usage will be taken into consideration for grading. Individually demonstrated growth in overall fluency in ASL is
emphasized, even though it is recognized that the acquisition process is unique for everyone and will bring different
results. Exams will be given in person by the instructor and online. Further instructions regarding the online exams will be
explained in class. Pop-up quizzes may also be given at any time and will be counted as part of the in-class participation
grade.
QUESTIONS:
Any time you have a question regarding sign language and/or an aspect of the Deaf Community, or culture, please feel
free to bring it up in the class. It is of my opinion that there is no such thing as a stupid or unimportant question- as a
matter of fact, I believe that for every question asked, there are 9 unasked questions!!!
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ASL IMMERSION POLICY:
Voicing in class has always been a sensitive subject for the ASL student and instructor, especially if either is
Deaf. Human languages takes place through three modes: speaking, signing and writing. ASL, as such, takes
place through the mode of signing. ASL, as a visual/gestural language, is best improved by using and refining
skills using your hands, face, body, eyes, and space. The use of spoken language in the classroom is to be
avoided as much as possible in order to encourage and foster the development of signing skills. Expect to start
class each day in Immersion mode. The ability to listen with your eyes is paramount. Research has shown
that immersion is the most effective method for language learning.
By incorporating visual means in communicating with each other, even in attention-getting, you allow for the
classroom to be universally accessible for everybody in the class including your Deaf instructor. Using your
voice to communicate with each other, even in getting another persons attention, immediately shuns your Deaf
instructor and any Deaf people. Some students may feel feel that your peers are not catching on, and may
feel the need to voice in order to help them, this approach simply does not work. Such students will
become dependent on other students voicing in order to succeed in class and this is anathema to the
concept of learning ASL. Voicing in class also takes away from the rich learning experience that I
attempt to foster in the classroom environment, for you and for your fellow classmates.
Those who continue to communicate via voicing, during class, may be asked to leave class for the remainder of
the day, however, they are expected to complete all assignments given in class that day and to show up to the
next class prepared. Students that are caught voicing during any quizzes, exams or presentations will receive an
automatic zero for that assignment and disciplinary action will be taken. **YOU WILL NEED TO SIGN THAT
YOU RECEIVED THIS POLICY ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS**
COMMUNICATION DEVICES:
Cell phones and other communication devices are to be turned off in class. If you must leave your device on in case of
emergencies and are expecting a message, then please let me know in advance and I will allow you to keep your device on
and to leave class if you should receive a message. The use of laptops and recording devices are not permitted as well.
Honestly, if you MUST check your phone- it is best to go to the bathroom to minimize a visual distraction.
GRADING SYSTEM:
Grades are assigned on a percentage of accumulated points according to the following scale:
A = 900-1000
B = 800-899
C = 700-799
D = 600-699
F = 599 and below
Due to the nature of the exams given, it is impractical to give make-up exams, therefore, no make-up exams will be given
unless arrangements were made PRIOR to the original exam (and for good reason too). The number of points possible is
divided equally between exams, quizzes and other factors that show dedication and a commitment to learn.
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COMPREHENSION EXAMS (In-Class): Comprehension exams are my formative/summative methods of measuring
your receptive skills in ASL. I will give four comprehension exams throughout the semester IN CLASS. You will be
given instructions on what to sign for the exam. It is up to you to practice and be ready for the exam. Each comprehension
exam is worth 50 points for a total of 200 points. You are allowed to miss one comprehension exam, however, I will take
the average of the other three comprehension exams and assign that as your grade for the missed exam. No make-ups will
be allowed.
PRODUCTION EXAMS (GoREACT): Production exams are my formative/summative methods of measuring your
signing skills. I will give two production exams throughout the semester via GoREACT. You will be given instructions on
what to sign for the exam. It is up to you to practice and be ready for the exam. Each production exam is worth 100 points
for a total of 200 points. You are NOT allowed to miss any production exams. No make-ups will be allowed.
FINAL/EXIT INTERVIEW: You will be required to meet with your instructor at an appointed time during
the last two weeks of the semester to conduct an interactive final exam/exit interview. During this final/exit
interview, you will need to exhibit that you have acquired a basic understanding of ASL and are able to
communicate (receptively and expressively) at the ASL 2 level. The exit interview will be announced at least a
week in advance, and can cover anything that we discuss in class throughout the semester. This is worth 10% of
your final grade.
IN-CLASS PRESENTATION:
All students will be required to give an in-class presentation. I may assign you to do this individually, in pairs or small
groups. In my experience, presentations usually take up to two class sessions for everyone to have their turn- students are
expected to attend both class sessions to receive full credit for the presentation component of the grade. More information
regarding this in-class presentation will be given two weeks in advance and this will take place during sometime after the
midpoint of the semester. This in-class presentation will be worth 50 points, equivalent to 5% of the total grade.
ASL JOURNALS:
Students will be required to complete five (5) journal entries throughout the semester. The journal entries will either be
assigned to be completed via e-mail or GoREACT, to be completed by the night before the next class meeting. Journal
entries often require some time for preliminary research and/or contemplation. The instructor reserves the right to assign
one feature film-length video to be viewed outside of class hours, with an accompanying journal entry. Journals typically
are only 2-3 paragraphs or 1-2 minutes on GoREACT, although there may be several prompts that may take longer to
complete. This is worth 50 points, equivalent to 5% of the total grade.
EXTRA CREDIT:
You may attend another Deaf cultural event (in addition to the required one) to earn 50 points extra credit. If you choose
to attend Deaf cultural events to fulfill your LLC/SSSC component requirement, then you will need to attend additional
Deaf cultural events to qualify for the extra credit option.
5
GRADING RUBRIC:
TOTAL 1000
**Due dates and assignments are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor**
NOTES:
Special thanks to Sandon Larson, ASL instructor at Mt. San Antonio College where I had my internship for
guidance on developing a syllabus.