ASL-101 American Sign Language I

This course is the first in a series of courses designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to communicate in American Sign Language. ASL 101 is an introductory level course that establishes a novice range of communication skills. This course emphasizes the cultural practices distinct to those that approach the world from a visual perspective. Topics include: historical events that have impacted the language and culture of the D/deaf community; the distinct cultural practices; and, comparison of language features. This course carries SUNY General Education World Language credit.

Credits

3

Department

• Humanities

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

• Fall
• Spring
• Summer

For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

ASL 101: American Sign Language I

Department

Humanities

Course Description

This course is the first in a series of courses designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to communicate in American Sign Language. ASL 101 is an introductory level course that establishes a novice range of communication skills. This course emphasizes the cultural practices distinct to those that approach the world from a visual perspective. Topics include: historical events that have impacted the language and culture of the D/deaf community; the distinct cultural practices; and, comparison of language features. This course carries SUNY General Education World Language credit.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Fall, Spring, Summer

SUNY General Education Course

• World Languages

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Employ a novice range of communication skills: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational.
2. Recognize the particular cultural practices distinct to those who approach the world from a visual perspective.
3. Identify historical events that have impacted the language and culture of the D/deaf community.
4. Compare the linguistic features of ASL with English.
5. Demonstrate culturally appropriate practices in the signing environment.

Topic Outline

1. Communication: ASL in content-specific contexts 
   1. simple statements (affirmative and negative); and basic question types (yes/no and wh-questions); recognize topicalization
   2. non-manual markers: grammatical and emotive
   3. basic classifiers: semantic and descriptive
   4. functional structures: contrastive structure and spatial agreement
   5. novice range expressive and receptive fingerspelling
   6. navigate full-immersion signing environment (voice-off) 
      1. points, gestures, signs, communicate complex ideas/thoughts through writing
2. Cultures 
   1. visual acuity; recognize visual cues and prompts
   2. culturally appropriate behaviors: waving, tapping, wait for visual contact, listener’s feedback (DON’T-UNDERSTAND, YES, NO, RIGHT, OH-I-SEE, AGAIN/REPEAT)
   3. insight into the distinct cultures: hearing and D/deaf 
      1. pathological and cultural perspectives
      2. mainstream and residential schools
   4. name signs (origins)
3. Connections 
   1. Historical events
      1. roots of ASL
      2. Milan Conference 1880
      3. Deaf President Now 1988
4. Comparisons 
   1. syntax and grammatical features of ASL and English 
      1. time + object / subject + verb | location + object  |  object + action | wh-sign at or in final position
      2. non-manual markers for affirmative/negative statements and yes/no, wh-questions
5. Communities 
   1. use culturally appropriate practices in the signing environment