You are on page 1of 3

American Sign Language I

Classroom Number: 708


M/W 11:00am-12:15pm
University of Texas
Fall 2016
Instructor: Laura Egharevba
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: Laura.egharevba@gallaudet.edu

Required text and materials:


1. Signing Naturally Level I, by Smith, C. Lentz, E. and Mikos, K, DawnSign
Press, 2008
2. Video camera or laptop built in camera is required to use for video journal.
Course description: This course introduces the fundamental elements of American Sign
Language within a cultural context. Emphasis is placed on the development of basic
expressive and receptive skills. Upon completion, students will be able to comprehend
and respond with grammatical accuracy to expressive American Sign Language and
demonstrate cultural awareness.
Course outcomes: This course is an introduction to American Sign Language (ASL),
Deaf culture and United States Deaf communities. Students will learn fundamental
language skills and cultural knowledge needed to comprehend, produce, and interact
effectively with diverse sign language users. This course will include an introduction to
Deaf culture and history to increase sensitivity in cross-cultural interactions.
Teaching Methods:
Total Physical Response is a language teaching method based on coordination of
language and physical movement (Cook, 2001). Students exercise their receptive and
comprehension skills by following simple commands given by the teacher in ASL.
Example: teacher forms different sizes and shapes in relation to each other in
ASL. Students will draw what they saw.
Interactive Learning is a hands-on approach of involving students in their learning
processes. Students are encouraged to engage in conversation and role-playing exercises
with both the teacher and their classmates (Scholastic, 2015).
Example: Students interact with each other by making requests and comparisons
between picture cards with encourage peer feedback and reinforce skill building.
Learning Centered classroom encourage collaboration amongst students and encourages
students to reflect on what they are learning and how they are learning it as well as
motivating them by giving them some control over the learning process (Weimer, 2012).

Students interact with each other in exercises and provide peer feedback, and respond to
open-ended questions from the teacher in their own words.
Example: Group and pair exercises including shape recognition activities allow
for students to learn not just from the teacher but each other as well. The teacher
will ask students to name different words and phrases they have learned so far.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The students who are taking ASL I course will be able to:
1. Apply accurate production, grammatical and structural rules in sentences.
2. Demonstrate comprehension and production skills in order to participate in
conversations and produce narratives.
3. Perform language and social behaviors that are acceptable within United States
Deaf communities.
4. Examine, compare and contrast diverse Deaf culture and history with their own
cultures.
5. Produce and document emerging language skills using digital media & tools.
Course and University Policies:
Attendance and participation: Attendance and participation are mandatory and there
are no make-ups given. If you miss a class, you are responsible for checking with a
classmate to learn what you missed and what will be due at the following class meeting.
After four absences, your grade will be lowered one full grade letter (e.g. A to B) After
the fifth absence you will receive a failing grade.
Course methodology: Students will learn through a variety of in-class collaborative
activities, discussions, lectures, videotapes, homework and out of class practice.
Research/cultural immersion papers: You must attend one event in the deaf
community during the semester (you have 14 weeks to do this.) Observe and analyze
interactions and cultural phenomena among deaf people as they compare to your own
experience. Raise relevant questions in your paper based on your observations. Papers
must be one to two pages in length, typed and double-spaced. Other acceptable events
will be shared with the class as they come to my attention.
Academic ASL: THERE WILL BE NO SPOKEN ENGLISH IN CLASS!
University Policies: All university policies may be found in the University catalog which
can be found online in both a web format and a pdf format. The standards of professional
behavior and communication discussed in the catalog will be mandated in this course
and program. (Radford, 2015)
Academic accommodation policy: Students have the responsibility of formally
requesting accommodation through the office for Student Disabilities before to the
beginning of the course. (Radford, 2015)

Academic Integrity Policy: Students must familiarize with the University


Academic Integrity Policy as printed in the Graduate School Catalog. (Radford, 2015)
Course methodology: Students will learn through a variety of in-class collaborative
activities, discussions, lectures, videotapes, homework and out of class practice.
Grades will be based on the following:
Homework
Signing Naturally workbook assignments
10 x 3 points each = 30 points
Deaf community experience papers
15 points
= 15 points
Class signing assignments
3 x 5 points each = 15 points
*ASL Lab time*
15 hours(ex credit) = 30 points
Quizzes
5 x 25 points each = 125 points
Spontaneous signing
4 x 40 points each = 160 points
Midterm exam
1 x 100 points
= 100 points
Final exam
1 x 100 points
= 100 points
Total possible = 545 points (575 w/ex credit)
Grading scale:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = less than 60%

You might also like