Austin Community College

Syllabus for SLNG 1404

American Sign Language: Beginning I

                                                                         

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the basic skills in production and comprehension of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes the manual alphabet and numbers.  Develops conversational ability, culturally appropriate behaviors and exposes students to ASL grammar. Prerequisites:  None

 

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS:

1)   One blank MINI DVD-RW disc (not DVD-R) for DVD camcorder

 2)  ACC AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: THE BASICS DVD. (You can print a copy of the order form from the BlackBoard @ http://acconline.austincc.edu)

 3)      For Hearing People Only.  3rd Edition.  Moore , M., Levitan, L., Deaf Life Press, 2003.

 4)      Signing Naturally, Level One. Smith, C., Lentz, E., Mikos, K., DawnSignPress, 1993 (Expanded Version) Student workbook and Videotext.

 5)  Access to e-mail. (MANDATORY)

 The required DVDs and textbooks will be used in this course and in SLNG 1405 American Sign Language: Beginning II and some in SLNG 1444 American Sign Language: Intermediate I.


COURSE  OBJECTIVES:

A)    Vocabulary Development

1.       The student will be exposed to vocabulary items in Units 1-6 of Signing Naturally.

2.       Given a set of targeted vocabulary items drawn from class items and videos, the student will demonstrate comprehensive mastery of vocabulary items.

B)     Grammatical Features

1.       The student will demonstrate comprehensive mastery of target, content-specific commands, questions, and statements in ASL.

2.       The student will be exposed to short dialogue in ASL as directed by the instructor.

C)     Conversational Skills

1.       The student will demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating behaviors.

2.       The student will demonstrate comprehension and production of regulating behaviors (i.e. attention getting techniques, turn taking signals, and others)

3.       The student will be exposed to short narratives and stories in ASL told by the instructor, Deaf users of ASL or ASL videotapes.

4.       The student will demonstrate the ability to initiate, conduct and terminate a short content-specific conversation.

D)    Cultural Awareness

1.       The student will read/see information on Deaf Americans, ASL, and its history. The student is responsible for the cultural notes in the workbook, chapters 1–44 in For Hearing People Only, videotapes/DVDs shown in class and cultural information discussed in class.

2.       The student will attend social functions/events at which members of the Deaf community are present.

 

COURSE GRADING SYSTEM:

Your grade will be evaluated regularly on your receptive skills and at the end of the semester on your expressive skills.  You will also be evaluated on your preparation for class activities and your assignments outside of the class.

1. Class Attendance/Participation                                              100
2. 4 Papers:  2 Video/2 Deaf Event Reaction (50 pts ea.)         200
3. 2 Self-Videotaped Assignment (50 pts ea.)                           100
4. Quizzes                                                                                  100
5. Midterm Exam                                                                        100
6. Final Exam #1 – expressive                                                   300      
   Final Exam #2 – written                                                          100
                                                                                                ------------
                                                                      TOTAL =        1000 points

 

1. Class Attendance and Participation: (total 100 points)

It’s crucial to maintain your attendance. Students cannot expect to pass this course with                 knowledge of the information in the workbook only.

a.   You may have two non-consecutive absences– any absences beyond two will result in twenty (20) points being deducted from your attendance/participation grade per class missed. 

b.   You may have two tardies or early departures of not more than 15 minutes – any tardies or early departures beyond 15 minutes or beyond two will result in ten (10) points being deducted from your attendance/participation grade per incident. 

c.   The instructor will withdraw any student who is absent three consecutive classes. This equates to 8 hours of instruction and would put you too far behind if you miss more than this.

d.   Please inform me if you have an exceptional circumstance that causes you to miss class.  

All students will be encouraged to participate in class discussions and activities on a regular basis.  “Participation” does not mean giving “right” answers. It means thinking about the material, sharing your thoughts, paying attention, and giving your best effort.  

 

So as to maintain a signing environment, using your voice or the mouthing of English words in the classroom is NOT allowed.  Write notes to each other if you must or SIGN! This NO VOICE rule will be enforced from the beginning until the end of the class.  The skills to be developed in the class depend on visual perception and memory. Use of auditorial stimuli discourages this learning process for both the person talking and other students in the class.  Twenty five (25) points for each and every incidence of talking/mouthing English words in class will be deducted from your final grade.

If you own a pager, or cell phone, please turn it off during class. 

 

2. Video/Deaf Event Reaction Papers: (4 papers @ 50 points each = 200 points)

The goal of these assignments is for you to express your own thoughts, opinions or questions.  Each paper must be 2-pages, double-spaced, typed in font size 12 Times New Roman or Arial, with one-inch margins on all sides. Early papers are always appreciated!  No papers will be accepted after the due date except under circumstances I deem to be extreme or unique.

         The papers must include and answer each of the following questions:

            Questions for Video Reaction Papers:

1.   What information gave you new insight or understanding about Deaf people, the Deaf community or Deaf culture?

2.   In your opinion what were the primary messages that the videotape or movie attempted to convey to you?

             Questions for Deaf Event Reaction Papers:

                              1.  What cultural differences did you observe?

 2.  What were the general impressions of what transpired at the event?

 

**Information on Deaf events will be posted on the BlackBoard and/or outside of ASL/IPP Lab. **

**For other events not listed, you must get the instructor’s approval. **

 

3. Self-Videotaped Assignments (2 self-video @ 50pts each = 100 points):

We will do this in the lab during class time.  You will be given time to practice your signing skills before actually taping your work.  Each assignment must be between 3 and 5 minutes long. Anything shorter than 3 minutes will not be accepted.  Details will be discussed in class.

 

4. Quizzes: (anywhere from 2 – 10 quizzes = 100 points) – Some quizzes will be announced in class and some will be “pop” quizzes. You may not make up any quizzes you miss – if you miss the quiz, you will get a zero.  The quizzes will be based mainly on the ability to comprehend ASL, and cultural information. Questions may also be drawn from the reading/viewing from the Signing Naturally workbook/video, from For Hearing People Only, video assignments, vocabulary DVD or from class discussions.

 

5. Midterm (100 points) – The midterm will cover all material presented to that point of the class.  It will include information from quizzes from Signing Naturally, For Hearing People Only, vocabulary videotape and receptive skills.  There will be no make-up of the midterm except under circumstances I deem to be extreme or unique.

 

6. Final (400 points total) - There will be two parts, expressive and receptive. Cumulative in nature; it will include comprehension and production, information from the workbook, videotapes shown in and out of class, vocabulary videotape, class assignments and discussions.  As you can see, a large part of your grade will depend on the final. There will be no make-up of the final except under circumstances I deem to be extreme or unique.

                         

COURSE POLICIES:

You are responsible for knowing the policies and procedures below.  You can pick up a copy of the Student Handbook at a counseling office at any campus or access it online from our web page www.austincc.edu.  Please take special note of the following:  Policies on Academic Dishonesty, Prohibited Acts, Unattended Children, Children in the Classroom, and Student Discipline Policy.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) Accommodations:

Refer to the student handbook at www.austincc.edu.  Please let me know in writing how I can accommodate my class to your needs.

 

Withdrawal Policy

You will be withdrawn if you miss 3 consecutive classes. Refer to the student handbook (www.austincc.edu) for the withdrawal policy under other circumstances.  If you have a very unique or extreme situation, please discuss it with me.

 

Incompletes

Incompletes will be given only under very unique or extreme circumstances.

 

Important Information

Please feel free to call, email or write me notes about any questions or concerns you may have.  You may also request to meet with me with an interpreter during my office hours or by appointment.

BACK TO HOME