ASL106 American Sign Language I                            3 Credits

A basic course in American Sign Language, providing a core vocabulary of approximately 450 signs, a sign language syntax, manual alphabet, idioms, and mime. Emphasis will be placed equally on expressive and receptive skills and the ability to communicate using visual vernacular techniques. The relationship between American Sign Language and the role of deaf culture as each relates to a deaf person's sense of self-esteem and value in the larger culture of American society will be studied.

ASL107 American Sign Language II (H)                    3 Credits

This course is for students with some basic introduction to ASL and is a continuation of ASL106. It is designed to develop further communicative competencies in the language beyond the basic level. Emphasis will be placed on ASL grammar, spatial referencing, detailed descriptions of people and surroundings, and deaf culture. This level II course will build on the basic skills learned in ASL106 through use and commitment to building a more extensive working vocabulary. The relationship between ASL and the role of deaf culture as each relates to a deaf person's sense of self-esteem and value in the larger culture of American society will be studied in great depth.

Prerequisite: ASL106 or equivalent.

ASL206 American Sign Language III (H)                      3 Credits
This course is a continuation of the skill areas of American Sign Language I and II, further developing both expressive and receptive skills. Vocabulary and fluency will be increased at an advanced level in ASL and fingerspelling. Opportunities to practice signing through interaction with the deaf community will be provided. During the last weeks of the semester, students will be encouraged to communicate in sign language only, without use of voice. Adaptive sign language for special populations will be introduced.

Prerequisite: ASL107 or equivalent.

ASL207 American Sign Language IV (H)                       3 Credits
Continued development of expressive and receptive ASL skills through student-led discussions, prepared reports on deafness related topics, etc. will be the focus of this course. Students will prepare a Service Learning project to be completed outside of the classroom and will be able to report/discuss the progress taking place with class members in ASL. Prerequisite: ASL206 or equivalent.

ASL208 Deaf Culture and History (H)                             3 Credits
This course will explore deaf culture as well as the history of deafness and its many facets. Deaf community, and its stance on a variety of deafness related topics, will also be discussed. Deaf community members, hearing parents of deaf children, late-deafened adults, oral deaf, signing deaf will be included as critical components to the course. Prerequisite: ASL106 or equivalent.