Academic Catalog

American Sign Language (ASL)

ASL-120  
American Sign Language I  4 UNITS  
4.0 hours lecture  
Introduction to American Sign Language as it is used within the Deaf culture. Instruction in the basic structure of the language and development of its use. Skill development practice. Introduction to the history of Deaf culture and the language. Introduction to the Deaf perspective on the establishment of Deaf communities and ASL. (CSU/UC) (AA/AS-C, CSU-C2, IGETC-6A)
ASL-121  
American Sign Language II  4 UNITS  
Prerequisite: "C" grade or higher or "Pass" in ASL 120 or equivalent.  
4.0 hours lecture  
This course is a continuation of American Sign Language 120. Students will increase their knowledge of ASL, the Deaf community, and the deaf culture. Students will develop conversational skills by learning to use grammar functions that increase fluency. Complex narratives will be used to expand vocabulary and apply linguistic features of ASL. This course will provide an opportunity for students to improve and enhance their ability to communicate in American Sign Language. (CSU/UC) (AA/AS-C, CSU-C2, IGETC-3B,6A)
ASL-130  
American Sign Language: Fingerspelling  3 UNITS  
Prerequisite: "C" grade or higher or "Pass" in ASL 120 or equivalent ability to sign.  
3.0 hours lecture  
This course is taught using American Sign Language. The manual alphabet of fingerspelling and its use within native signers is introduced. The emphasis is placed on learning decoding strategies using a cognitive science approach. Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate increased ability to accurately produce and comprehend fingerspelling and number systems when they appear in narratives. Extensive practice of cognitive approaches for both receptive and expressive use will be applied. This is the first course in a two sequence series. (CSU/UC)
ASL-131  
American Sign Language: Fingerspelling II  3 UNITS  
Prerequisite: "C" grade or higher or "Pass" in ASL 130 or equivalent or one year of high school ASL fingerspelling or equivalent.  
3.0 hours lecture  
This course is a continuation of American Sign Language 130 using fingerspelling skills at an intermediate to advanced level. Students will increase their ability to produce and comprehend fingerspelling and number systems at an intermediate level and beyond. Expressive skills will focus on "Rapid", "Careful", and "Lexicalized" types of fingerspelling, as well as, shortcuts at near-native fluency rates. Receptive skills will focus on comprehension of fingerspelling at near-native fluency rates. (CSU/UC)
ASL-140  
Inside Deaf Culture  3 UNITS  
3.0 hours lecture  
This course will introduce students to the unique aspects of the Deaf culture. Students will examine political and social issues, past and present trends, historical perspectives, and distinguish the community from the culture. The unique structure of sign language and its linguistic components will also be studied. Students will be introduced to the dynamics of families when there are both hearing and Deaf family members and how hearing and Deaf cultures impact the family unit. The cultural values and behaviors unique to Deaf people will also be explored through their heritage, literature, and Deaf artists. (CSU/UC) (AA/AS-C, CSU-C2, IGETC-3B)
ASL-220  
American Sign Language III  4 UNITS  
Prerequisite: "C" grade or higher or "Pass" in ASL 121 or equivalent.  
4.0 hours lecture  
This course continues the study of American Sign Language. Students will continue their development of sign language vocabulary, grammar structures, and conversational skills. This course will provide an opportunity for students to greatly improve their ability to communicate in American Sign Language by studying the nuances and intricacies of the language. Students will continue to enhance their studies and awareness by focusing on the Deaf community as a culture and issues that arise between the hearing and Deaf cultures. (CSU/UC) (AA/AS-C, CSU-C2, IGETC-3B,6A)
ASL-221  
American Sign Language IV  4 UNITS  
Prerequisite: "C" grade or higher or "Pass" in ASL 220 or equivalent.  
4.0 hours lecture  
This course is taught using American Sign Language. This is an advanced course designed to increase vocabulary, examine the use of semantic and body classifiers, expand and develop conversational signing ability through the use of appropriate grammar structures and storytelling. Popular Deaf culture stories are learned through the development of storytelling techniques. The rich heritage of Deaf people is studied through biographies of those who are famous for their contribution. This course elevates the awareness of equity and inclusion of diverse Deaf people by using roleplays and folklore, literature, and humor specific to the Deaf culture. (CSU/UC) (AA/AS-C, CSU-C2, IGETC-3B,6A)