American Sign Language 1 (ASL)

"Sign languages are some of the most expressive and unique of all the World Languages. In this introductory course, you will embark on an exciting journey that will provide you with not only a basic level of proficiency in the most widely used sign language, American Sign Language (ASL); this course will also open a profound window of understanding into the world of Deaf culture and history. Regardless of whether you are already in some way connected to that culture, or whether you have had little-to-no contact with Deaf people, you will deepen your appreciation for this rich and dynamic community.

Through selected readings, visual recordings, and interactive activities online, students will receive instruction in production, comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar to build skills in ASL. In order to demonstrate ability in signing skills, students will sometimes be asked to record videos of themselves signing to submit to their instructors. Students will also build their knowledge and understanding about Deaf culture and history. This course adheres to the World Readiness Standards for Language Learning to ensure that students develop competence to communicate effectively and interact with cultural understanding of the Deaf community."

The course adheres to the National Standards for Learning American Sign Language and will address the five goal areas targeted in the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages:

• Communication
• Cultures
• Connections
• Comparisons
• Communities

• Demonstrate comprehension of simple questions and statements in ASL
• Produce short one to two sentence statements and responses to questions in ASL
• Demonstrate ASL-appropriate conversational communication behaviors.Demonstrate comprehension commonly spelled words of three to six letters when fingerspelled at a normal rate
• Fingerspell words of three to six letters at a moderate to normal rate of speed within a conversational context
• Understand and express the numbers 1 – 60 in ASL
• Identify some of the cultural beliefs, values, attitudes and perspectives of Deaf people