AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
View American Sign Language A.A.S.: 351
View American
Sign Language Certificate: 220
American Sign
Language A.A.S.: 351
The American Sign Language (ASL) curriculum is designed to
facilitate students in acquiring the language and culture of the Deaf
in North America. This program encompasses much more than just recognizing
signs with the eyes. It means acquiring the concepts presented through
ASL and ASL interpreting to preserve the style and semantics of these
concepts. Students will be taught to think critically about ASL, not
merely to repeat someone else's signs. They will develop translating
and interpreting skills to become literate and effective users of
ASL. As students work through the curriculum, they will be ready to
do a variety of ASL teaching or interpreting that ranges from defining
how a sign can be created to knowing how to express those signs coherently.
Upon completion of the curriculum, graduates will receive
the A.A.S. and will be eligible to take the Registry of Interpreters
for the Deaf (RID) examination for interpreting licensure or to be
evaluated for the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA)
Certificate.
| First Semester |
| |
English foundation |
3 |
| SL 100 |
Conversational ASL I |
4 |
| SL 101 |
Structural ASL I |
3 |
| SL 105 |
Visual Gestural Communication Foundations
I |
2 |
| SL 106 |
Fingerspelling and Number Use in ASL I
|
1 |
| |
Speech foundation |
3 |
Second Semester |
| |
Health foundation |
1 |
| |
Mathematics foundation |
3 |
| SL 102 |
Structural ASL II |
3 |
| SL 110 |
Conversational ASL II |
3 |
| SL 115 |
Visual Gestural Communication Foundations
II |
2 |
| SL 116 |
Fingerspelling and Number Use in ASL II
|
1 |
Third Semester |
| SL 200 |
Conversational ASL III |
3 |
| SL 201 |
Structural ASL III |
3 |
| SL 226 |
Semantics and Communication in ASL I |
1 |
| SL 269 |
Independent Study in ASL |
1–4 |
| |
Behavioral or social sciences distribution
|
3 |
| |
Natural sciences lab distribution
|
4 |
Fourth Semester |
| SL 202 |
Structural ASL IV |
3 |
| SL 207 |
ASL Translation and Interpretation for
Literature |
3 |
| SL 210 |
Conversational ASL IV |
3 |
| SL 236 |
Semantics and Communication in ASL II
|
1 |
| SL 285 |
Practicum in ASL |
3–4 |
| |
Arts or humanities distribution
|
3 |
|
Total credit
hours 60–64
|
Program Outcomes for the American Sign Language Degree
Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:
- Be able to describe the structures of ASL, including phonology, morphology syntax, and semantics at a level 4 proficiency.
- Be able to integrate and recognize ASL registers.
- Demonstrate competency in ASL expressive and receptive skills at a level 4 proficiency.
- Demonstrate competency in visual gestural communication and finger spelling.
- Reach competency of 2.5 or better in ASL assessment instruments.
- Demonstrate support and respect for ASL as the visual language of the Deaf community
- Demonstrate, appropriately, the ability to interpret skills learned in the classroom into general situations in and out of the Deaf community and in service fields.
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The American Sign Language (ASL) certificate curriculum
is designed for students with a variety of goals:
-
Students preparing to enter an Interpreter Training
Program;
-
Current interpreters needing to improve ASL skills,
or maintain Interpreter Certification, through the Registry
of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certification Maintenance
Program;
-
Students preparing to teach ASL or to enter the field
of Deaf education or Deaf-related research and discipline;
-
Students whose first language is ASL who desire to learn
the structure and syntax of their own language in order to develop
a knowledge base to teach ASL, as well as to learn other languages;
-
Students preparing for, or currently working in, careers
requiring communication with Deaf consumers, business associates,
colleagues, employees, supervisors, and students; and
-
Students desiring to improve their understanding of
Deaf culture to better communicate with Deaf family, friends,
neighbors, and community.
Students who wish to pursue careers as interpreters
for the Deaf are strongly encouraged to complete a two-year degree
to acquire the
depth and breadth of knowledge in ASL required to serve a diverse
population in many settings.
| SL 100 |
Conversational ASL I |
4 |
| SL 101 |
Structural ASL I |
3 |
| SL 102 |
Structural ASL II |
3 |
| SL 110 |
Conversational ASL II |
3 |
| SL 200 |
Conversational ASL III |
3 |
| SL 201 |
Structural ASL III |
3 |
| SL 202 |
Structural ASL IV |
3 |
| SL 210 |
Conversational ASL IV |
3 |
| |
SL electives |
6 |
|
Total credit hours 31
|
|
