The American Sign Language (ASL) program introduces the language of the Deaf, the Deaf Community, and the Deaf Culture. ASL classes emphasize conversational skills in functional situations and allow students to explore, in a relaxed atmosphere, the language and culture of Deafness.

How this course works: 

• This course is in person, meeting every Tuesday and Thursday in Founders Hall, room 237.

• I will send you a weekly list of tasks on Canvas, typically on Mondays. Most assignments listed will be due between Thursday and Friday; however, you can complete them at any time during that week. Some assignments will be conducted in class. The discussion post is due on Tuesday, so please respond to your classmates by Thursday. I recommend regularly checking the Canvas "Calendar" on the green left-side toolbar for updates. 

• Hopefully, you are already familiar with the "modules" and "pages" I have set up in Canvas. You will continue to go through these two or more times a week and watch/complete the tasks under each heading.  

How and when to attend our course:

• This is the first week of the Canvas meeting, which will be held from Monday, 08/25/2025, to Friday, 08/29/2025. (This course is 16 weeks long and consists of 3 units, which will be broken down into weekly module posts so you can learn at your own pace.) 

• This course is registered under Zero Textbook costs. No textbook is required for this course. 

• Please attend your classes, log on weekly, and review the week's course material. 

• Please submit your assignments by the due date; if you don't turn in your assignments, you will be marked absent for that week.

• Module One- Getting Started: ‘Water Cooler’ - due 08/25/2025

• Agreeing to the terms of the Syllabus- due 08/26/2025

• Student Information Survey- due 08/26/2025

• Review Week One - Unit 1.1 homework due 09/04/2025

The Canvas Welcome shows you to find your courses, contact your instructor, download the Canvas Student app, and get help with Canvas.

•  Canvas

This course is Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC), which means that all course materials will be available on Canvas without requiring the purchase of a textbook. 

American Sign Language learners must trust themselves, their instructors, and their classmates. That way, in a safe environment, the mistakes they will make as learners don’t knock their confidence. I believe anyone can learn a language given enough time and practice, and I’m willing to be creative and find ways and unusual learning styles to help all students benefit from my lessons. I teach using a variety of techniques because every class is different and has unique needs. I aim to expose American Sign Language learners to more of the world and prepare them for into Deaf community.

“The Magnificent Six”  

1.    Utilize student support Services, such as instructor office hours, LLC, ASC, Student Success Specialists, Counselors, and computer labs.  

2.    Develop peer support Networks: Form peer student groups, collaborate to accomplish challenging tasks, and reach out for help when absent. 

3.    Focus on the learning process, not the grade- recognize and appreciate your growing skills and knowledge.  

4.    Attend Canvas and review the module- make time at home and review them daily.   

5.    Be open to challenges and support your classmates. Try out new ideas and skills in class and on assignments; be receptive to and respectful of views that challenge your thinking. 

6. Participate in class regularly and always ask for clarifications if you feel lost, confused, or frustrated.   

Student Learning Outcomes :

Given the following learning context, the student who satisfactorily completes this course should be able to achieve the following goals: 

1. Identify the unique characteristics of Deaf Culture.

2. Demonstrate the ability to translate the grammar and syntax of ASL at a basic conversational level.

3. Demonstrate the grammar and syntax of ASL at a basic conversational level.