Introduction to the understanding of and acquisition of basic conversational skills and vocabulary in American Sign Language. Study of the historical, cultural, regional and psychological aspects of the Deaf World. Emphasis on development and refinement of production, comprehension and interpersonal skills using ASL in all its diversity. Exposure to deaf literature and the impact of audism. Introduction to finger spelling, facial expressions, acting out and pointing as a manual mode of vocabulary. Instruction is primarily in ASL with supports for hearing students. Controversial subjects such as cochlear implants, bilingual education, role of interpreters, current trends and deaf family members are presented and discussed.

Continuation of ASLA 1001. Designed to provide further understanding of American Sign Language and the historical, cultural and psychological aspects of the American Deaf Community. Emphasis on: 1) the linguistic structure of ASL; 2) opportunities to expand vocabulary, conversational and comprehension skills; and 3) development of awareness of the cultural, historical and educational experience of the American Deaf Community as well as deaf people around the world.

Introduction to the Deaf community in the United States and beyond. Discuss the lives and contributions of Deaf people past and present. Learn about Deaf people in their social and cultural environments through in-person and virtual encounters. Acquire a foundation of understanding for developing relationships with the Deaf community.

Continues focus on vocabulary expansion, idioms, manual and non-manual aspects of ASL, ASL linguistics, cross- cultural communication and cultural knowledge at an intermediate/advanced level. After this course, students can communicate comfortably with native ASL signers. Material covered in class provides linguistic principles of American Sign Language at the upper intermediate level and grammatical structures for complex sentences. ASL expressive presentations are performed in small groups and on an individual basis. An increased focus is on the improvement of a student’s ability to express him/herself using ASL.

Focuses on vocabulary expansion, idioms, manual and non-manual aspects of ASL, ASL linguistics, cross- cultural communication and cultural knowledge at an intermediate/advanced level. After this course, students can communicate comfortably with basic fluency with native ASL signers. Material covered in class provides linguistic principles of American Sign Language at the advanced level and grammatical structures for complex sentences. ASL expressive presentations are performed in small groups and on an individual basis. An increased focus is on the fluency of a student’s ability to express him/herself using ASL. A focus on the nature of sociolinguistics in ASL will be introduced and a greater emphasis on the development of a second language in society for ASL students. ASLA 2001 or consent of dept. chair required.

Builds on the introduction of the tradition of the rich poetic, dramatic, visual vernacular and literature found in the American DEAF Community found in the American Sign Language courses. This tradition, provided through video, film, and live performances provides students with a basis for documenting this work through the building of the skills of interpreting it. Study important works of ASL poetry, storytelling performance genres of the past and present, by building a deeper understanding using translation techniques. As we work using original performances as touchstones to the DEAF Community, students also spend a great deal of time considering the emerging body of scholarship about this work. Students also seek out relationships with some of these DEAF artists themselves. In response, students provide four interpretative performances that they, in ASL, will present in a campus-wide public performance and lecture on the interpretation and importance of their chosen work and the artist who first performed it.