Undergraduate Minor
The minor in American Sign Language Studies (reference studies 307) requires a minimum of 21 hours. Students will learn communication competency in a visual language and gain a better understanding of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture. This minor builds a solid foundation of ASL language and skills but does not lead to interpreter or Deaf Education certification. Students are required to take the following courses: ASL 101, 102, 201, 301, 401, and 403. In addition, students must select a 3-hour elective from one of the following courses: ASL 306, 309, or 402.
The courses are first-come-first-serve and fill up fast. If you're interested, be sure to sign-up quickly!
NOTE: For the most up-to-date information, be sure to visit the undergraduate course catalog, American Sign Language Studies, Minor (307).
Required Courses
American Sign Language I
Fall Semester Only
Principles, methods, and techniques for communicating with individuals who sign. Topics include expressive and receptive sign skills, manual alphabet, numbers, and sign vocabulary. Off campus experiences are required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites.
American Sign Language II
Spring Semester Only
Prerequisites: ASL 101 and/or permission of instructor. Continuation and expansion of principles, methods and techniques for communicating with individuals who sign. Off-campus experiences are required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites.
Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better.
American Sign Language III
Fall Semester Only
Prerequisites: ASL 102 or CDCC 102C with a minimum grade of C, CLEP test, or instructor permission. Development of intermediate expressive and receptive ASL skills and cultural features of the language and community. Off-campus experiences are required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated and assigned sites. The class will be conducted without voice to enhance comprehension of the language.
Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better.
American Sign Language IV
Spring Semester Only
Prerequisites: ASL 201, with a minimum grade of C or instructor permission. The fourth in the four semester sequence which continues training in American Sign Language (ASL) and study of the Deaf Community. Expressive, receptive, and affective skills will be the primary focus with an emphasis on receptive skills. The class will be conducted without voice to enhance comprehension of the language.
Fulfills World Language with a grade of C or better.
Fingerspelling
Fall Semester Only
Prerequisites: ASL 102, with a minimum grade of C or instructor permission. This course will serve to supplement a student's American Sign Language (ASL) conversational skills. Receptive and expressive fingerspelling course content will serve to further strengthen the student's use of this language. In addition, the course will also focus on aspects and applications of incorporating numerals into use of ASL in a variety of contexts. The class will be conducted without voice to enhance comprehension of the language.
Deaf Culture and History
Prerequisites: ASL 102 or CDCC 102C with a minimum grade of C, or instructor permission. An overview of the psychological, sociological and cultural impacts of deafness upon children and adults. Explores how deafness can affect the individual's development in language, communication, cognition, and psychological emotional growth. Examines historic relations between Deaf and hearing and compares Deaf culture with that of the hearing world. A voice interpreter will be provided for this class.
Electives, Pick 3 Hours From
American Sign Language Classifiers
Prerequisites: ASL 301 with a minimum grade of a C, taking ASL 301 concurrently, or by instructor permission. Provides an in-depth analysis of classifiers in ASL through discussion and demonstration of the three different categories in ASL: representative classifiers (noun and its action), descriptive classifiers (size-and-shape, perimeter, patterns and textures), and instrumental classifiers (manipulative and handle). Students will learn to comprehend and produce classifiers from all three categories. The class will be conducted in American Sign Language to enhance comprehension.
ASL Specialized Vocabulary
Prerequisites: ASL 301 with a minimum grade of C, taking ASL 301 concurrently, or by instructor permission. Supplements a student's American Sign Language (ASL) conversational skills by introducing terms and phrases which are found in specialized settings. The class will be conducted in American Sign Language to enhance comprehension.
ASL Professional Ethics and Issues
Prerequisites: ASL 201 with a minimum grade of C, or instructor permission. Professional and ethical issues as they relate to interpreting and transliterating. In addition, students will become familiar with applicable terminology and procedures when interacting with the Deaf Community. Topics are based on information needed for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification tests.
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