PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 
MASTER SYLLABUS

INTERMEDIATE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II
ASL 2020
 

Class Hours: 3.0

 

Credit Hours: 3.0

 

Laboratory Hours: 0.0

 

Date Revised: Fall 06

 

 

 

 

 

Catalog Course Description:

 

 

 

A course that involves conversational practice, experience in signing music and the mastery of 100 additional American sign language idioms. 

Entry Level Standards:

 

 

 

Must be able to read and write at the college level.

Prerequisite:

 

 

 

ASL 2010

Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:

 

 

TBA

I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:

 

 

 

Week 

Topic

 

1-16

The instructor will provide a syllabus supplement no later than the first week of class outlining specific weekly activities. Broadly, students will develop activities and man ASL lab for underclassmen, complete 15 hours of field work, complete workbook and video series (Birds of a Different Feather), maintain a journal recording areas of improvement, and complete four recorded sign to voice and voice to sign.

II. Course Objectives*:

 

 

 

A.

Understand progressively more challenging conversations and more complicated monologues.  I, III

 

B.

Participate in more challenging conversations, modify the memorized material to use in new situations, sign about a variety of subjects.  I, III

 

C.

Use simple and complex sentences, accuracy of expression, and variety in style.  I

 

D.

Cultural sensitivity: react appropriately in common social situations, be aware of the cultural differences, increase knowledge of the deaf community's contributions.  IV

*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.

III. Instructional Processes*: 

 

 

Students will:

 

 

 

 

1.

Use sign language in pairs and do group exercises to exchange information and talk about their feelings.  Communication Outcome, Personal Development Outcome

 

2.

Complete workbook exercises in understanding sign language.  Communication Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Active Learning Strategy

 

3.

Collaborate in teams to practice verbal exercises and complete written exercises.  Communication Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome

 

4.

Read about the deaf culture, with some analysis of how culture is expressed through language. Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome

 

5.

Practice elements of work ethic by regularly attending class, being punctual, participating in class activities, and demonstrating good manners.  Personal Development Outcome, Transitional Strategy

*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.

IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 

 

 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1.

Comprehend increasingly difficult dialogues. A, B, C

 

2.

Carry on conversations on a variety of topics. A, B, C

 

3.

Employ a basic set of vocabulary words and structures necessary for conversation 
on several topics. A, B, C

 

4.

Describe the deaf culture: family life, work, the patterns of daily living that make any group of people unique.  D

 

5.

Describe some of the contributions of deaf individuals.  D

 

6.

Appreciate and respect the cultural and linguistic differences of various people.  D

 

7.

Assist underclassmen in the ASL lab. A, B, C

*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.

V. Evaluation:

 

 

 

A. Testing Procedures:

 

N/A

 

B. Laboratory Expectations:

 

Students will help develop activities and man ASL lab for underclassmen. 
Workbook and video series: Bird of a Different Feather

 

C. Field Work:

 

15 hours of field work are required. Separate journal entries for field work should be kept, along with time documentation and contact person of where you volunteer. To be set up through instructor.

 

D. Other Evaluation Methods:

 

Two areas of improvement: Areas to be recorded in journal as well as personal goals set, activities to improve goal, progress toward goals, time log, journal of personal feelings toward goal. 
Four recorded sign to voice/voice to sign (two receptive, two expressive). Personalized goals will be targeted in these exercises.

 

E. Grading Scale:

 

A   =  90-100 
B+ =  87-89 
B   =  80-86 
C+ =  77-79 
C   =  70-76 
D   =  60-69 
F   =   59 and below

VI. Policies:

 

 

 

A. Attendance Policy:

 

Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  Class attendance is mandatory for your skill perfection.  Be assured that you will be behind if you miss a class. If you have a doctor's excuse or equal excuse, please talk with the instructor.  The student will be held responsible for any material missed during an absence.  It will be possible to trade an absence for a 'hands-on" activity, such as attending a "silent night" etc.  This must be pre-approved by the instructor. 

 

B. Speaking in Class:

 

This course format will incorporate the use of visual aids, conceptual visual teaching without the use of voice, partner activities without the use of voice, and some lecture with voice.  The only appropriate verbal communication by students is ourside of the classroom, or during cultural discussions when the instructor allows voicing.  No verbal communication is allowed during vocabulary teaching or partner activity. 

 

C. Other Policies:

 

Some helpful hints while learning this language are: 
--Try to understand the concept or main idea as is it being presented.  Do not try to attach one English word to one ASL sign for both receptive and expressive modes. 
--Try to visualize while learning a sign or concept verses thinking of an English word. 
--Practice as much as possible with other people (Deaf and hearing-both!) 
--This is a "hands-on" Language, don't be to use your body to express ideas and concepts! 
--When in doubt, verify a sip with a qualified person and do not try to learn only from the book. 
--Maintain proper eye contact, do not follow hands! 
--When finger-spelling think in words, not letters! 
--Do not use finger-spelling as a crutch!  That is, do not use it to get out of those tight spots when you're unfamiliar with a sign without finding out the sign also. 
--A great deal of time will be spent on non-manual markers - or the affective parameter of American Sign Language.  Developing this skill, often referred to as facial expressions, body movement, etc., is critical for signing.  Please practice them with signs - not just separately, and give this important area equal time. 
--When speaking with deaf/hearing impaired people, if you do not understand something, ask for clarification.  Deaf people know when you do not understand. 
--This course uses a videotext and workbook for homework and home practice.  Work in pencil because you will need to view several times before making your final answer.  Bring your workbook to class.  You will find it helpful to write extra vocabulary words in your book as well as putting in the word underneath the vocabulary words included in your text. 
--Bring workbooks to class in order to fill in vocabulary sections as well as write down any extra words/concepts included in class. 
--Extra vocabulary not included in he text will be interspersed throughout the semester. These are to be included into your vocabulary base!  You will be responsible for added vocabulary! 
--Extra credit opportunities will be available and will be announced as they occur throughout the semester. 
--Throughout this course the class will be taught nonverbally: you will be learning visually rather than auditorially.  You are encouraged to ask questions everyday through non-verbal means.

D.  Accommodations for disabilities:

 

 

If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.