American sign Language

American Sign Language 1 

Prerequisite: None, Credit: 1

This course focuses on the development of beginner-level comprehension and production skills in American Sign Language. Students learn how to attend to visual language and use their hands and body for producing ASL constructions. Elementary vocabulary and grammar is covered, along with information about Deaf culture. 

American Sign Language 2

Prerequisite: ASL I, Credit: 1

This course focuses on the development of intermediate-level proficiency in ASL. An introduction to more complex grammatical constructions with the goal of engaging in conversations in ASL on a variety of topics. Examines the historical aspects of the Deaf community and related themes. 

American Sign Language 3 Honors

Prerequisite: ASL I and II  Credit: 1

ASL 3 Honors comprises several kinds of lessons: functional (conversational or narrative), skill building, comprehension, cultural and review. The functional lessons introduce vocabulary and key grammar structures through the use of key dialogues or narratives. Skill building lessons focus on practicing detailed language features that support students’ general ASL production, such as various number types, expanded fingerspelling practice, space and semantic use of agreement or spatial verbs, use of negation signs. The comprehension lessons use stories to expand students’ skills to process and figure meanings from larger chunks of signed information. The culture lessons focus on behaviors and knowledge that enable students to act in appropriate linguistic and social ways, and to gain more cultural insight on the Deaf community. 

American Sign Language 4 Honors

Prerequisite: ASL I, II and III Honors

ASL 4 focuses on building narrative skills, moving from an informal to a  more formal presentation. We also will be developming conversational skills used in every day discussion such as skills needed to explain ideas or concepts; or to illustrate how things work and why things are the way they are. We will also develop skills to translate written text into ASL.