American Sign Language 2

Catalog Description: Further appreciation, comprehension, and analysis of the uniqueness of a visual/gestural language, including its cultural/historical background, and the role it has played in the Deaf communities in the United States and throughout the world.

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to a second semester of ASL. Students will engage in conversation using ASL at a level expected for beginning to intermediate signers. In this class, students will expand conversational skills, and discuss culturally appropriate topics. Students need to be aware that some culturally accepted behaviors may be offensive

Syllabus for American Sign Language 2
Fall 2017	Fresno City College
Section # 29051	Trisha Houston
4 Units	Meetings – arrange by e-mail
Class meets: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:50 PM OAB 172	E-Mail: trisha.houston@fresnocitycollege.edu E-mails will be answered promptly within 24-48 hours except on weekends.

Prerequisites:

American Sign Language I and English 1A

Required Textbooks and Materials

Smith, C., Lentz, E., & Mikos, K. (2014). Signing naturally: Student workbook and DVD, units 7-12. Berkeley, CA: Dawn Sign Press.

Class Activities and Requirements:

1. Students are required to have access to Canvas. Students are required to attend all classes. Active participation is VITAL to the learning process and acquisition of the basic principles of American Sign Language. If a student misses the equivalent of six classes during the semester his/her grade will be dropped one letter (ie. If your overall grade for the class is a “B” and you missed six or more class hours you would receive an overall grade of “C”).

 

2. In order to facilitate the learning of ASL, students are NOT permitted to speak in the classroom. ASL is a visual language, not an auditory language. Because of ASL being a visual language the use of laptops, pagers, cell phones during class are NOT permitted. From the minute, you enter the classroom to the minute you exit, please observe Deaf Cultural norms by either ONLY signing to each other or writing notes. Students using smartphones or laptops in class will be asked to put them away or to leave the classroom. Usage of technology will NOT be tolerated during class.

 

3. Students are encouraged to raise their hand and ask the instructor when they do not understand what the instructor is teaching. It is every student’s responsibility to ask the instructor for clarification and the instructor will be happy to clarify.

 

4. Students are not expected to understand every sign the first time they see it, but they are encouraged to keep trying by observing and participating as much as possible. Practice and presence is the best approach. You need to be here and visually engaged to process ASL.

 

5. Making mistakes is an integral part of the learning process; therefore, please do not feel afraid of making mistakes and having them corrected. J It is a good way to learn a new language.

 

6. Remember, ASL and English are two separate languages. The sign vocabulary will be taught in context since there are many signs in ASL that do not have English equivalents.

 

7. The final grade is based on the following: Points
8. Four Exams – (lowest one dropped- 3 x 50 points each) 150
9. Deaf-related Events Reflective Response                            40                            
10. Response Paper to Film – No Ordinary Hero                           20
11. TED Talks Video Assignment                           20
12. Language Lab (7 hours)    70
13. Expressive Final Exam    75
14. Written Final Exam    50
15. Research Paper                                                                            75

 

1. Total: 500

 

Final Course Grading Policy:

The student grades will be calculated objectively as follows:

• 500 – 450 = A
• 449 – 400 = B
• 399 – 349 = C
• 348 – 300 = D
• 299 –  0 = F

 

Examinations and Major Assignments

Language Lab:

You will be required to attend the language lab (Tutoring) for a total of seven hours. You have all of the semester to meet the hours requirement. In the tutoring, there are many ASL resources available for you to study and use, along with access to ASL tutoring. You will receive a time sheet to reflect your hours from the language lab. Only the ASL tutor, or the PASS assistant can sign your time sheet.

Exams:

Exam dates will always be announced at the class prior to the exam.  The four exams will consist of receptive and/or expressive skills in ASL, as well as short answers and/or multiple choice and/or true/false questions which come from Unit readings (workbook).  The lowest exam score will be dropped.  You will always receive a study guide prior to any exams.  Exams are given at the beginning of the class period.  Make plans to be to class on time at all class periods.  If you are late to class on exam days, it is possible that the instructor will not allow you to take the exam.

Expressive and Written Final Exam:

The Expressive Final exam will be cumulative of Units 7-9.  You will be assigned a time to come in on the last day of class. Your instructor will provide you with exam content information and preparation during the semester.  The goal will be that you will utilize all vocabulary you have learned in the course from Units 7-9.  There will be time given in class to practice.  

The Written Final (during Final Exams Week) will consist of M/C and True/False questions from Unit 7- 12 Culture/Grammar/Language Notes.  A study guide will be given.  Bring a Scantron 882-E and # 2 pencil.

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP EXAMS GIVEN.  THERE WILL BE NO MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMINATION MAKE-UPS!

Written Assignments:

Research Paper:

• Your Research Paper is to be submitted on Canvas through the “Turnitin Link” under Assignments. Any other format will not be accepted.
• You do not need an abstract or a table of contents.
• Follow APA guidelines for writing your paper including using double spacing and ensuring that your submission is free from writing errors of any kind. Your paper must include three (3) references. DO NOT include the title page and the reference page(s) as part of the 750-word count. You need to have at least three pages of typed content.
• On the title page, please note how many words you had in your paper.
• You will be given a list of people to choose from.

 

Write your paper in the format as outlined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6^th Edition located at the Reserve book room in the Library. If little or none of the APA format is followed, points will automatically be deducted from your grade. If you are not familiar with APA format, go to the tutoring center or PASS center for assistance. For minor errors, some points will be deducted, e.g. inaccurate reference entry in the body of the paper, incorrect listing or spacing on the References page, and quotes incorrectly done. If APA format is not used on the REFERENCES page, points will be automatically deducted from the grade. It is essential that you cite your sources, and give credit where it is due.

The topic for your research paper is as follows:

Iconic Deaf Person in History

Choose a famous/historical deaf person in the area of fine arts (literature, painting, acting, music, etc.). Explain how he/she had an impact on the use and/or acceptance of ASL and what kind of influence he/she had on Deaf culture and/or the Deaf community.

Exception: You will get a limited list of allowed people to choose from.

DUE DATE: Monday, November 20^th, 2017 11:59 PM through Turnitin link

Your references CANNOT be earlier than 1993. The references should be a balance between articles in magazines, papers in journals, chapters in books, newspaper articles, videos, computer software libraries, or any of the information on the Internet. DO NOT use any Wikipedia as references in the paper. If you are not sure at this point how to locate any information, be sure to ask your friendly librarian for assistance.

NOTE: If your research paper is not turned in on the due date, 10 points will be taken off each class session it is submitted late!

Deaf Events Reflective Paper:

You are required to attend one major Deaf Community Event, Valley Deaf Festival.  This event will be on November 18^th, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Prepare to attend at least two hours at this event.

You will get a writing guide/prompt for your reflective writing.  The required format is provided to you on Canvas.  Use the guide for this event.  Be certain papers are typed, comprehensible, and related to the Deaf event that was attended.  For minor errors, some points will be deducted, e.g. writing errors, spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.  You MUST attend 1 Deaf event and complete your Deaf Event form with required proof of attendance.  The form (response paper) must be submitted to the Canvas by the posted due date.  NO LATE DEAF EVENT PAPER ACCEPTED.

• Proof of attendance for the event is required.
• You will show the video to the instructor, and attach any tickets to the form.

 

Proof of attendance must be in the form of a video of you at the event, with a handout that was disseminated during the event, a receipt showing date/time of purchase at the event, or a ticket stub showing admittance.  The video cannot be too close of yourself that your instructor cannot see which Deaf Event you attended.  It must show a background of the event.  It must have a brief introduction by you, “Hello – my name … “etc. No videos will be accepted if it shows only you, or the location.  It needs both to be valid.

Due Date: Wednesday, December 6^th, uploaded to the Canvas Assignment section by the end of class – 10:45 AM

(You can upload it any time before the due date during the semester J)

TED Talks Video Assignment:

You will be given this assignment on Canvas during the semester. It will consist of a video that you can watch at home, and consider the given questions with this. You will be required to participate in an online discussion regarding this. You have to post before you can respond to others. You are required to respond to at least two other classmate’s discussion post.

*REMEMBER* - You simply cannot pass the class if you don’t do the assignments – Your grade for the class will be a “F”.

 

Fresno City College Policies

Study Expectations:

It is usually expected that students will spend approximately 2 hours of study time outside of class for every one hour in class. Since this is a 4-unit class, you should expect to study an average of 6 hours outside of class each week. Some students may need more outside study time and some less. ASL Tutoring is available at the PASS center.

Subject to Change Statement:

This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent.

 

Plagiarism Detection:

The campus subscribes to Turnitin and the SafeAssign plagiarism prevention service through Canvas, and you will need to submit written assignments to Turnitin/SafeAssign. Your work will be used for plagiarism detection and for no other purpose. The student may indicate in writing to the instructor that he/she refuses to participate in the plagiarism detection process, in which case the instructor can use other electronic means to verify the originality of their work. Turnitin/ SafeAssign Originality Reports WILL not be available for your viewing.

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 or plagiarizing, s/he will be dropped from the class or be given a failing grade. Any papers with plagiarism will be referred to the Humanities dean, and paperwork will be filed.

 

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.

Attendance is required due to the nature of the visual language. To better grasp the concepts behind ASL, come to class prepared with your textbook and be ready to learn.

Attendance and participation will be part of the final grade. At least four absences = your grade is automatically lowered one level [for instance, if you earned an A, it will be a B for the final grade] If there are 7-8 absences, the grade level will be lowered by two levels. (Those with valid reasons/communicated absence prior to the day will be excused). Frequent tardiness will be noted, and four tardy will be counted as an absence. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were away.

 

• 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-MW-4:00-5:505pm-syllabus.fall2017-houston

 

 

 

Tentative Course Schedule Fall 2017 (Subject to Change)

	Date	Topic		Reading Assignment
	Mon., Aug 14	Introduction to ASL 2		Review vocabulary from ASL 1
	Wed., Aug 16	Review Vocabulary		Review your ASL 1 Read p.x-xiv in your textbook (Introduction)
	Mon., Aug 21	Start Unit 7 – Describing People and Things		Read key, grammar and Deaf profile notes
1	Wed., Aug 23	Unit 7
2	Mon., Aug 28	Unit 7
3	Wed., Aug 30	Unit 7
	Mon., Sept 4	HOLIDAY – Labor Day
4	Wed., Sept 6	Unit 7
5	Mon., Sept 11	Unit 7 Review		Study for your first exam
6	Wed., Sept 13	Unit 7 Exam
7	Mon., Sept 18	Start Unit 8 – Making Requests and Asking for Advice		Read key, grammar and Deaf profile notes
8	Wed., Sept 20	Unit 8
9	Mon., Sept 25	Unit 8
10	Wed., Sept 27	Unit 8
11	Mon., Oct 2	Unit 8 Review
12	Wed., Oct 4	Unit 8 Exam
13	Mon., Oct 9	No Ordinary Hero – a Superdeafy Movie
14	Wed., Oct 11	No Ordinary Hero – a Superdeafy Movie		Respond to the film, typed and uploaded to the turnitin link by Monday, Oct. 16 before class.
15	Mon., Oct 16	Start Unit 9 – Describing Places		Read key, grammar and Deaf profile notes
16	Wed., Oct 18	Unit 9
17	Mon., Oct 23	Unit 9
18	Wed., Oct 25	Unit 9
19	Mon., Oct 30	Unit 9
20	Wed., Nov 1	Unit 9
21	Mon., Nov 6	Unit 9 Review
22	Wed., Nov 8	Unit 9 Exam
23	Mon., Nov 13	Unit 10 - Giving opinions about others		Read key, grammar and Deaf profile notes
24	Wed., Nov 15	Unit 10
25	Mon., Nov 20	Focus on your Research paper- due today		Research paper due by 11:59 PM through the turnitin link.
	Wed., Nov 22	HOLIDAY – Thanksgiving Break
26	Mon., Nov 27	Final exam preparations – Partner assignment, topics given, time sign-ups and practice/feedback.
27	Wed., Nov 29	Final exam preparations – Partner assignment, topics given, time sign-ups and practice/feedback.
28	Mon., Dec 4	Final exam presentations
29	Wed., Dec 6	Final exam presentations		Deaf Events Due – Uploaded to the Canvas assignments section before end of class
Finals week			Days		Dates
Final Semester Examinations			Monday – Thursday		Dec 11 – 14
Final Exam in this course			Wednesday, December 13		4-6PM