This course focuses on developing Intermediate-High to Advanced-Low proficiency following ACTFL speaking guidelines. This course covers additional grammatical topics (e.g., rhetorical questions and conditionals, use of the signing space for indicating grammatical relationships, and strategies for negating propositions). Vocabulary building focuses on learning multiple signs that could correspond with single words in English. As such, comparisons between ASL and English will figure more prominently in this course, in order to emphasize differences across the two languages while also pointing out areas of English influence on ASL. Complex issues within Deaf Culture (e.g., cochlear implants and eugenics ) are dicussed.

This course is a broad introduction to aspects of the culture of Deaf people. Historical, linguistic, and educational topics will be framed within various events and developments that have occurred within the Deaf community over the past 200 years in the United States. The roots of American Sign Language (ASL) can be traced to at least the early 1800s, with the establishment and expansion of schools for Deaf children. Later that century, Gallaudet University and National Association of the Deaf (NAD) were established. These entities have played key roles in education and advocacy for Deaf individuals, both within the U.S. and beyond its borders. Many changes have occurred over recent decades, including the educational experiences of deaf children in the U.S. and technologies for everyday communication. Ethnic and cultural diversity has increased within the national Deaf community, mirroring many developments in the larger society. In the context of these developments a distinctive Deaf culture has grown and evolved.

Text: Deaf Culture: Exploring Deaf Communities in the United States. Irene Leigh, Jean F .Andrews, Raychelle L. Harris. Plural Publishing, Inc. 2018.

This course focuses on developing comprehension and production skills in order to achieve Novice-High proficiency following ACTFL speaking guidelines*. Students work on developing perceptual, attentional, manual, and non-manual skills necessary to learn ASL. The course introduces the student to vocabulary and grammar for elementary interactions, exchanging personal information, talking about surroundings, giving directions, and describing various activities. Elementary concepts concerning Deaf culture (e.g., values and social norms) are also introduced.

This course focuses on developing Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid proficiency following ACTFL speaking guidelines. The course covers more complex grammatical structures (e.g., use of classifier constructions and grammatical non-manual signals such as referential shift) and vocabulary items (e.g., the ASL numbering system including numeral incorporation and lexicalized fingerspelling). Students develop skills for engaging in conversations and discussions in ASL, and much focus is placed on interactive activities with peers on topics such as family and occupations, describing routines and activities, and making requests. Students continue to learn about Deaf Culture and the Deaf community (e.g., historical events and important figures in the community).

This course focuses on developing Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid proficiency following ACTFL speaking guidelines. The course covers more complex grammatical structures (e.g., use of classifier constructions and grammatical non-manual signals such as referential shift) and vocabulary items (e.g., the ASL numbering system including numeral incorporation and lexicalized fingerspelling). Students develop skills for engaging in conversations and discussions in ASL, and much focus is placed on interactive activities with peers on topics such as family and occupations, describing routines and activities, and making requests. Students continue to learn about Deaf Culture and the Deaf community (e.g., historical events and important figures in the community).

This course focuses on developing Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid proficiency following ACTFL speaking guidelines. The course covers more complex grammatical structures (e.g., use of classifier constructions and grammatical non-manual signals such as referential shift) and vocabulary items (e.g., the ASL numbering system including numeral incorporation and lexicalized fingerspelling). Students develop skills for engaging in conversations and discussions in ASL, and much focus is placed on interactive activities with peers on topics such as family and occupations, describing routines and activities, and making requests. Students continue to learn about Deaf Culture and the Deaf community (e.g., historical events and important figures in the community).

This course focuses on developing Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid proficiency following ACTFL speaking guidelines. The course covers more complex grammatical structures (e.g., use of classifier constructions and grammatical non-manual signals such as referential shift) and vocabulary items (e.g., the ASL numbering system including numeral incorporation and lexicalized fingerspelling). Students develop skills for engaging in conversations and discussions in ASL, and much focus is placed on interactive activities with peers on topics such as family and occupations, describing routines and activities, and making requests. Students continue to learn about Deaf Culture and the Deaf community (e.g., historical events and important figures in the community).

This course focuses on developing Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid proficiency following ACTFL speaking guidelines. The course covers more complex grammatical structures (e.g., use of classifier constructions and grammatical non-manual signals such as referential shift) and vocabulary items (e.g., the ASL numbering system including numeral incorporation and lexicalized fingerspelling). Students develop skills for engaging in conversations and discussions in ASL, and much focus is placed on interactive activities with peers on topics such as family and occupations, describing routines and activities, and making requests. Students continue to learn about Deaf Culture and the Deaf community (e.g., historical events and important figures in the community).