American Sign Language Minor

An introductory course designed for students with no previous experience using ASL. Beginning with the alphabet, students will learn the basic components of ASL-fingerspelling, vocabulary, grammar and syntax, expressive and receptive skills, along with Deaf culture and social etiquette. (3 Units)

This course is for students who possess a functional knowledge of fingerspelling, vocabulary formation, placement, and directionality. Acquaintance with current and historical aspects of Deaf culture and social etiquette is also assumed. In this course students will refine their expressive and receptive skills, while broadening their understanding of the Deaf-World. Prerequisite: ASL115 (3 Units)

Students will be introduced to advanced language and vocabulary development with special emphasis placed on sentence construction and expressive skills. The course will provide further development of conversational techniques and use of ASL in normal everyday situations such as the location of items around the home, complaints, making suggestions and requests, and exchanging personal information through life events. This course will also expand the study of Deaf cultural issues. Prerequisite: ASL125 (3 Units)

This course will introduce students to the art of hand shape storytelling and legends within the Deaf community. This section will include the grammatical use of ASL in sign movements conveyed and modified in the language, how and when to use facial movements, and how body, head, and eye movements are used in phrasing and agreement. In this section, students will learn to sign everyday information through description and identification of things as well as talking about events. Class emphasis will be on expressive and receptive skills. Prerequisite: ASL215 (3 Units)

This course explores the history, traditions, and issues of Deaf American culture from its 18th century European origins to contemporary multicultural USA. Using a multilayered approach to learning (lecture, readings, case study, film study, contextual experience, and classroom debate), students will analyze the complex web of influences and issues--linguistic, political, economic, educational, religious, medical, and social--that form what we commonly refer to as "culture." (3 Units)

Demographic and congregational studies suggest that only a fraction of the deaf population has been effectively evangelized in their own primary language. Students will learn practical methods of communicating the gospel to the deaf population using a cultural-linguistic model for deaf ministry. Experience with ASL and the Deaf community is helpful but not required for the course. (3 Units)

Students will explore both historical and contemporary representations of Deaf people in various art forms, including fine arts, literature, theater, film, TV, and social media. Experience with ASL and the Deaf community is helpful but not required for the course. (3 Units)

An interdisciplinary introduction to the concepts, issues and literary genre of the deaf-world. This course emphasizes the Deaf community as a cultural linguistic people group and the centrality of ASL, heritage and traditions, and values in this community. From a literary and theoretical view, the course locates the field of Deaf Studies within the broader field of Disability Studies by analyzing intersections and differences between the two. (3 Units)

This course offers a comparative analysis of linguistic properties and tendencies of American Sign Language and English. General topics of study include an overview of the historical evolution of sign languages, leading into contemporary thought on phonology, morphology and syntax of ASL. Students will also explore regional and dialectical linguistic variations that occur within sub-communities such as Black, Hispanic and Asian Deaf communities. Prerequisite: ASL225 (3 Units)

To be an effective interpreter one needs high levels of skill in the languages being interpreted as well as knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of interpreters. This course introduces the theoretical foundations, ethical considerations, and technical skills necessary to equip students to be proficient interpreters, preparing students to move on to more advanced skills. Students also participate in a field experience, such as attending a theater performance to observe ASL interpreting. (3 Units)