American Sign Language Department

Department Chair: Monica Collins
collins_monica@sac.edu
714-564-6283

DEPARTMENT ​​MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the American Sign Language program is to enhance the linguistic diversity of the community through the development of an additional language (American Sign Language) and provide access to opportunities for students for transfer, careers and lifelong intellectual pursuits in a global community that includes persons who are Deaf and users of American Sign Language. 

Student Learning Outcomes for ASL Certificate Program at SAC  

As a result of completing the ASL Program students will be able to maintain an ongoing dialogue in ASL at an intermediate conversational level.

As a result of completing the ASL Program students will have an understanding of American Deaf culture that will allow them to interact in culturally appropriate ways with members of the American Deaf community.

Course Level Descriptions and SLOs:

SIGN 110 - American Sign Language I

Course Description: This introductory course is designed to introduce students to American Sign Language (ASL) and fingerspelling as it is used within American Deaf culture. Instruction includes preparation for visual/gestural communication followed by intensive work on comprehension skills, modeling of grammatical structures, and general information about American Deaf culture. Sign Language 110 is equivalent to two years of high school ASL.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• To use American Sign Language vocabulary, grammar, syntax and morphology to express and receive information about yourself, your family, surroundings and activities.
• To develop beginning awareness of the unique cultural aspects of the American Deaf Community.
• To prepare and present an individual presentation incorporating the linguistic structures learned during the course.
  

SIGN 111 – American Sign Language II

Course Description:The second course in the study of American Sign Language (ASL) focuses on vocabulary development, comprehension skills, grammatical structures and practice in the receptive and expressive aspects of ASL, as well as continued exposure to American Deaf culture. It is designed for the student or professional interested in working and interacting with the Deaf community.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• To use American Sign Language vocabulary, grammar, syntax and morphology to express and receive information when giving directions, describing others, making requests, talking about family and occupations, attributing qualities to others and talking about routines.
• To further develop awareness of the unique cultural aspects of the American Deaf Community.
• To prepare and present an individual presentation incorporating the linguistic structures learned during the course.        

SIGN 112 – American Sign Language III

Course Description:  Third semester of American Sign Language, with emphasis upon ASL syntax, facial grammar, vocabulary and fingerspelling enabling students to participate in more complex conversations with Deaf community members. This course enhances students' receptive and expressive skills in ASL. It is designed for the student or professional interested in working and/or interacting with the Deaf community.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Recognize and demonstrate advanced level ASL syntax, facial grammar, vocabulary, and fingerspelling skills.
• Engage in advanced level conversation using ASL signing, fingerspelling, and facial grammar to convey thoughts and ideas.
• Identify and analyze critical issues facing the Deaf community.

SIGN 113 – Introduction to Interpreting for the Deaf

Course Description: Beginning Interpreting for the Deaf is an Introduction to and survey of basic theories, principles and practices of American Sign Language interpreting and transliterating for the deaf.  This course explores the full spectrum of the roles and ethical responsibilities of professional sign language interpreters in a variety of settings. Classroom time provides for exposure to practice of expressive and receptive skills and includes instruction on national testing standards and preparation for certification. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

• The student will increase their understanding of the role and responsibilities of a sign language interpreter for the deaf, the skills and further training necessary to be a member of the profession.
• The student will utilize appropriate intermediate ASL vocabulary and the five parameters of ASL while in the act of voice-to-sign or sign-to-voice interpreting to accurately convey the speakers'/signers' tone and intent. 

SIGN 114- Classifiers, Fingerspelling and Numbering:

Course Description:  This course is designed to provide specialized instruction in the continued development of skills and application of expanded conceptualization of American Sign Language (ASL) classifiers, fingerspelling, and numbering concepts. Expressive and receptive techniques will be emphasized.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Recognize and demonstrate advanced ASL fingerspelling, numbering, and classifier concepts.
• Interpret spoken or written English into ASL, and interpret ASL into spoken or written English using classifiers, fingerspelling, and numbering.
• Display an understanding of Deaf Culture, opinions, and values

SIGN 116 – Perspectives of Deafness 

Course Description:  This is an introductory course exploring the cultural, educational, linguistic and audiological experiences of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind and late-deafened in America. Students will be exposed to historical and current perspectives in trends, philosophies, ideologies, and the deaf community as a subculture of American society.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Have an understanding of American Deaf experience from a variety of perspectives, including medical, educational, cultural, linguistic, legal, social and psychological.
• Be able to discuss the ways in which persons who are deaf and hard of hearing have faced and continue to face discrimination in society, and
• Be able to discuss the American Deaf experience, past and present.