Course Syllabus

 

High Beginning American Sign Language (ASL 2)

SYLLABUS- Summer 2017

Instructor: Trisha Houston   Office hours: Arranged by email

Email: trisha.houston@fresnocitycollege.edu

Class: MTWTH 2:00 – 4:35 PM

Room: LA 202, Course #29670, 4 Units

Required Text:

• Smith, C., Lentz, E., & Mikos, K. (2014). Signing Naturally: Student workbook Level Two (Units 7 – 12). Berkeley, CA: Dawn Sign Press.
• Smith, C., Lentz, E., & Mikos, K. (2014). Signing Naturally: Student DVD Level Two (Units 7 – 12). Berkeley, CA: Dawn Sign Press.
• Possible Field Trips $15.00
• Scantron 882-E (2-3)

Course Description: Second semester beginning American Sign Language and the visual-gestural language used by the Deaf in the United States and Canada. Explores the culture of Deaf people in the United States.

Perquisite: American Sign Language 1 or two years high school American Sign Language or equivalent. Advisory: Eligibility for English 1A recommended.

Purpose: Delve deeper in the use of American Sign Language by the Deaf Community in the United States and parts of Canada. While learning about ASL, you will also learn more about the culture of this unique population in the above-mentioned countries. Other countries use different languages: such as, Japanese Sign language (JSL) or Lingua dei Segni Italiana (LIS). Students need to be aware that some culturally accepted behaviors might be offensive. Students will also be engaging in conversation using ASL at a level expected for intermediate signers.

Objectives:

• To be able to improve how you introduce yourself to a Deaf person and handle

basic conversations about everyday activities concerning work,

school, family and daily living.

• To learn culturally appropriate behaviors associated with the language.
• To read with comprehension a selection of written texts on related topics.
• To have fun learning about a new language and culture.
• To be able to describe things in greater detail – like arrangements of a room, or a person.

In order for optimal learning to occur in the classroom, it is imperative that you do not use your voice during class sessions. You will not be expected to recognize every signs you see, but you are expected to WATCH, OBSERVE and PARTICIPATE as much as possible. Eventually signs will make sense to you and fall into place. Do not be afraid to let your instructor know if you continue to have trouble following instructions. Communication is the key to successful experience in learning a language.

Please come to class prepared. Always bring your ASL workbook to the class. Review your text according to the Course Schedule. Sometimes we will do an activity from the textbook or discuss some cultural/Deaf profiles.

Grades and Examinations:

Your class will have a minimum of 4 exams, expressive final project and a written final exam. NO make ups for exams allowed. No excuses will be accepted. However, the lowest score of one of the 4 exams will be dropped. The final exam is comprehensive and divided into two parts (expressive project and written exam based on your textbook). The final exam is required for completion of this course.

Written assignments:

Written assignments will include one research paper. The paper will be about an iconic person in ASL-Deaf culture history. The instructor will give you a specific list of people that you can choose from for your Iconic Person paper. You have to get the instructor’s approval on the chosen person.

If more information/materials is needed, you need to communicate with your instructor beforehand, and not wait until the last week of the due date. Your instructor will gladly give you a list of websites to visit, as well as other resources/readings.

Things to remember:

• The first paper must be a minimum of 3 full pages long, typed and double spaced.
• A 12-point Times New Roman is to be used with a one-inch margin on the sides of the paper.
• You are expected to supplement these papers with readings from handouts, the Internet and texts. Please cite your sources using APA format.
• Upload all of your papers to the turnitin link on the Blackboard. E-mailed or hard copy papers will not be accepted.
• You can turn in the paper earlier than the due date for some feedback and improvements from the instructor, but the final draft has to be uploaded.

The following criteria will be used for evaluation of your coursework:

Homework/Online Assignments/Attendance	100 PTS
One Essay on Iconic Deaf Person	50 PTS
Exams (4)	150 PTS
Final Exam (two parts: expressive and written)	200 PTS
TOTAL: 500 PTS

The following points will determine the following letter grades:

500-450  =    A

449-400  =    B

399-350  =    C

349-300  =    D

299-0 =         F

Class Participation:

Keep in mind that the class focuses on visual language and it takes time to delve deep into ASL and Deaf culture. Attendance is a priority. I will also assign some readings, reflections, activities and special assignments during in the class. Those will count towards your in-class grade. Prepare to proceed through the ASL learning quickly. Sometimes you will have pop quizzes and that will count towards the homework grade. No make-ups for any missing pop quiz.

Participation and attendance will influence your overall grade. If you don’t show up, that means you miss out on assignments, quizzes and activities that will improve your overall understanding of ASL.

Ground Rules:

You are expected to attend all class sessions. The class will be challenging and requires attendance to keep your learning on track. Anyone with more than 2 consecutive days

(6 class hours) of absence may be dropped from the class. However, if any reason you are unable to complete the course, please let your instructor know so an appropriate grade is assigned to you.

IF a student is caught cheating s/he will be dropped from the class or be given a failing grade.

Attendance – if a student is absent for more than a week, the student may be dropped by the instructor provided the absences occur prior to the final class drop deadline. It is the student’s responsibility, NOT the instructor’s to drop or withdraw from the college courses when s/he no longer wishes to be enrolled in the course.

Tardiness – it is disruptive to class, so please come on time. Constant tardiness (at least 3) will be counted as an absence.

• Excessive talking (with voice) in class is considered disruptive to the learning process.

On first occurrence, the student will be reminded of the rule, on second occurrence the student will be asked to leave the classroom, on any further repeated occurrences, the student will be then either dropped or failed—if the disruptive behavior continues.

• Cell phones must be turned SILENT and OUT of my sight during class. It is considered rude when you do not turn OFF your cellphone due to the lack of respect for others who paid for their time to learn a new language that requires their visual attention.

You need to communicate with me prior to class if there is a unique situation that requires you to check your cellphones.

• Continual disregard of those rules will result in you being asked to leave the class. You will not be allowed to make up any missing work from the day. Repeated warning – you will not be allowed to attend class for next two days and not allowed to make up any missing work or any test either.

*If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media

(I.e. Braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) per the American with Disabilities Act Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act please contact your instructor as soon as possible. There is a Disabled Students Service Program (442-4600x8237) that can work with you to address your specific needs.*

 

Asl2-fcc-mtwth-2:00-4:35pm-syllabus.summer2017-houston

Summer 2017 Tentative Course Schedule

Week	Day	Topic	Reading Assignment
1: June 19 - 22	M	Introduction to course Vocabulary Review from Unit 1 through 5 Student introductions Activities	Read p. x-xiv in your textbook Start reading Unit 7 Warm-ups: www.asl.ms and www.asl.bz
	T
	W
	TH
2: June 26-29	M	Unit 7: Describing people and things	Read key, grammar and Deaf profile notes Study for your first exam
	T
	W
	TH	Unit 7 EXAM
3: July 3-6	M	July 3 and 4 – No class	Read key, grammar and Deaf profile notes Review, study and prepare for exam Online Assignment will be given in class on June 29th for July 3rd
	T
	W	Start Unit 8 – Making Requests and Asking for Advice
	TH
4: July 10-13	M		Research Paper Due on July 13th before 11:59 PM Be sure to give your paper a TITLE!  Review, study and prepare for exam
	T	Unit 8 EXAM
	W	Start Unit 9 – Describing Places
	TH
5: July 17-20	M		Review, study and prepare for exam Work on your final exam expressive project
	T	Unit 9 EXAM
	W	Start on Unit 10 – Giving opinions about others
	TH	Discuss Expressive Final
6: July 24-27	M	Unit 10 EXAM	Read your textbook thoroughly for the written exam.
	T	Final Exam Preparation
	W	Expressive Final Exam	July 26th
	TH	Written Final Exam	July 27th