Sign Language Studies (SIGN)

SIGN 1000  Credits: 6  
American Sign Language Level 1  Total Hours: 120  
This 120 hour course includes vocabulary development, manual alphabet, numeral system, simple structures and grammatical forms of ASL, as well as insight into the culture and community of Deaf people. In addition, laboratory or group practice, drills, exercises, and dialogues to develop the grammatical forms and syntax are included. This course follows the Signing Naturally Units 1-6 curriculum.
Pre-requisite(s): English 10 with a passing grade or equivalent  
SIGN 1100  Credits: 6  
ASL 1  Total Hours: 120  
The aim of this course is to develop the student's proficiency in the understanding and use of ASL vocabulary and grammatical structure. The student will learn basic grammatical features of ASL in a natural context during various communicative activities & daily interactions, using a functional approach. The student will also be introduced to non-manual signals including the use of ASL mouthing. Reinforcement or tutorial sessions will be conducted during lab sessions.
Pre-requisite(s): 1) English 12 with C or equivalent, or English Language Proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent AND 2) SIGN 1000 or equivalent OR 3) Admission to the ASL & Deaf Studies program  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 1200, SIGN 1300, SIGN 1400 and SIGN 1500  
SIGN 1110  Credits: 0  
Advanced ASL  Total Hours: 60  
SIGN 1110 is an advanced ASL course which focuses on developing ASL language communication skills as well as improving fluency, articulation, and socio-cultural competencies. By the end of SIGN 1110 Advanced ASL, students will be able to meet ASLPI level 2.5/5. This course is taught online.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 3100 ASL 3 or equivalent  
SIGN 1200  Credits: 3  
ASL Lab 1  Total Hours: 60  
The lab component of the ASL course is designed for students to practice signing ASL by participating in various communicative activities and experiencing a variety of situations as well as providing vocabulary, fingerspelling, number system and structure review.
Pre-requisite(s): 1) English 12 with C or equivalent, or English Language Proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent AND 2) SIGN 1000 or equivalent OR 3) Admission to the ASL & Deaf Studies program  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 1100, SIGN 1300, SIGN 1400 and SIGN 1500  
SIGN 1300  Credits: 3  
Deaf Culture & Community 1  Total Hours: 60  
This course will cover the basic elements of Deaf Culture and Deaf Community with particular emphasis on current issues faced by the Deaf. The course will discuss and instill the concept of cultural relativism. The class format will generally consist of open discussion activities on topics related to the community and culture of Deaf people. Videotapes, assigned readings from required texts, and supplementary readings will be used as springboards to discussion.
Pre-requisite(s): 1) English 12 with C or equivalent, or English Language Proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent AND 2) SIGN 1000 or equivalent OR 3) Admission to the ASL & Deaf Studies program  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 1100, SIGN 1200, SIGN 1400 and SIGN 1500  
SIGN 1400  Credits: 3  
Becoming an Ally 1  Total Hours: 60  
This course introduces the student to terms related to Deaf people, Deaf culture, and sign language. The course also provides the student with an opportunity to examine assumptions and perspectives on d/Deaf people and ASL, to learn about historical trends in Deaf Education, and to become aware of issues and challenges related to working with d/Deaf people. The course theme is Two Language, Two Cultures, Two Communities.
Pre-requisite(s): 1) English 12 with C or equivalent, or English Language Proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent AND 2) SIGN 1000 or equivalent OR 3) Admission to the ASL & Deaf Studies program  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 1100, SIGN 1200, SIGN 1300 and SIGN 1500  
SIGN 1500  Credits: 3  
Public Speak & Professionalism  Total Hours: 60  
This course is designed to help the student feel at ease making presentations in public. Topics covered include dealing with anxiety, knowing your audience, patterns of organization, research techniques, rehearsal techniques, non-verbal communication, and the use of visual aids. The student makes presentations to the class. Other activities include communication games, debates, impromptu speeches, and formal talks.
Pre-requisite(s): 1) English 12 with C or equivalent, or English Language Proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent AND 2) SIGN 1000 or equivalent OR 3) Admission to the ASL & Deaf Studies program  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 1100, SIGN 1200, SIGN 1300 and SIGN 1400  
SIGN 2000  Credits: 6  
American Sign Language Level 2  Total Hours: 120  
This 120 hour course includes vocabulary development, fingerspelled words, numeral incorporation, basic structures and grammatical forms of ASL, as well as insight into the culture and community of Deaf people. In addition, laboratory or group practice, drills, exercises, and dialogues to develop the grammatical forms and syntax are included. This course follows the Signing Naturally Units 7-12 curriculum.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 1000 or Equivalent  
SIGN 2100  Credits: 5  
ASL 2  Total Hours: 96  
In this course, the student will continue to build on their knowledge of ASL with increasing focus on more complex grammatical features and sentence structures. The student will increase their communicative competency in ASL through a variety of situations and activities. The balance of the course will be supplemented by dialogue drills, scripted activities, conversation skill activities and DVD exercises. Reinforcement or tutorial sessions will be provided during the lab sessions. ASL grammar features explored in this course will include aspects and inflections. Defining phonology and morphology, and the history of ASL will also be discussed.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 1100  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 2200, SIGN 2300, SIGN 2400, SIGN 2500  
SIGN 2200  Credits: 3  
ASL Lab 2  Total Hours: 48  
The lab component of the ASL course is designed for students to practice signing ASL by participating in various communicative activities and experiencing a variety of situations as well as providing vocabulary and structure review.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 1200  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 2100, SIGN 2300, SIGN 2400, SIGN 2500  
SIGN 2300  Credits: 3  
Deaf Culture & Community 2  Total Hours: 48  
This course approaches Deaf Culture and Community in more depth and introduces the topics of Deaf Education, Service Agencies for the d/Deaf, and Deaf Advocacy. The course includes a variety of activities including group discussion activities, lectures, videotaped panel discussions, and supplementary readings. Videotapes, assigned readings from required texts, and supplementary readings are used as springboards to discussion. We will have bi-weekly meetings to prepare our public announcement on our annual project; Deaf Deaf World.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 1300  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 2100, SIGN 2200, SIGN 2400, SIGN 2500  
SIGN 2400  Credits: 3  
Becoming an Ally 2  Total Hours: 48  
This course is the second in the series of courses called Becoming An Ally (1,2,3) that are designed for students of ASL and Deaf culture who are exploring their career options as a non-Deaf ally working alongside the Deaf community. Learners will be guided to examine their own perceptions and experiences, and to appreciate the cultural and ethical considerations associated with the role of an ally. The course theme is Intercultural Communication.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 1400  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 2100, SIGN 2200, SIGN 2300, SIGN 2500  
SIGN 2500  Credits: 3  
Deaf Literature  Total Hours: 48  
Deaf Literature is intended to enrich the students' exposure to the lives and experiences of Deaf people. This course is to examine the depiction of Deaf characters and experiences in written works such as poetry, novels and plays, and in video or film. It enhances the students' understanding of society's perceptions of Deaf people and the contrasts between a cultural perspective and a pathological perspective. Students analyze, critique and discuss recurring themes within the literature.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 1500  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 2100, SIGN 2200, SIGN 2300, SIGN 2400  
SIGN 3000  Credits: 6  
American Sign Language Level 3  Total Hours: 120  
This 120 hour course includes vocabulary development, fingerspelled words, numeral incorporation, intermediate structures and grammatical forms of ASL, as well as insight into the culture and community of Deaf people. In addition, laboratory or group practice, drills, exercises, and dialogues to develop the grammatical forms and syntax are included. This course follows the Signing Naturally Units 13-17 curriculum.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 2000 or Equivalent  
SIGN 3100  Credits: 5  
ASL 3  Total Hours: 96  
In this course, the student will continue to build on their knowledge of ASL with increasing focus on more complex grammatical features and sentence structures. The student will increase their communicative competency in ASL through a variety of situations and activities. The balance of the course will be supplemented by dialogue drills, scripted activities, conversation skill activities and DVD exercises. Reinforcement or tutorial sessions will be provided during the lab sessions. ASL grammar features explored in this course will include topographic space and expanding medical vocabulary. Defining ASL discourse, bilingualism and language contact, the variation and historical change in ASL, daily narratives and ASL storytelling, and ASL semantics will also be discussed.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 2100  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 3200, SIGN 3300, SIGN 3400, SIGN 3500  
SIGN 3200  Credits: 3  
ASL Lab 3  Total Hours: 48  
The lab component of the ASL course is designed for students to practice signing ASL by participating in various communicative activities and experiencing a variety of situations as well as providing vocabulary and structure review.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 2200  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 3100, SIGN 3300, SIGN 3400, SIGN 3500  
SIGN 3300  Credits: 3  
Deaf Culture & Community 3  Total Hours: 48  
The course will cover in depth the elements of Deaf Culture and the Deaf Community. In addition the topic of Education, Service Agencies and Advocacy will be included. The course will consist of a variety of activities; lectures, group discussions, field trips, and videotape viewing as well as supplementary readings.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 2300  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 3100, SIGN 3200, SIGN 3400, SIGN 3500  
SIGN 3400  Credits: 3  
Becoming an Ally 3  Total Hours: 48  
Becoming an Ally 3 is the third course in the series of courses called Becoming An Ally (1,2,3) which are designed for students of ASL and Deaf culture who are exploring their career options as a non-Deaf ally working alongside the Deaf community. Learners will be guided to examine their own perceptions and experiences, and to appreciate the cultural and ethical considerations associated with the role of an ally. The course theme is Roles, Rules & Responsibilities.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 2400  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 3100, SIGN 3200, SIGN 3300, SIGN 3500  
SIGN 3500  Credits: 3  
ASL Literature  Total Hours: 48  
ASL Literature was always a small part of the ASL acquisition course. This course explores the literary forms and themes that are particular to works produced by Deaf people themselves, for example, storytelling using number or alphabet handshapes and visual rhyme, ASL poetry, Deaf Humor, 'Deaf Rap', etc. Students view examples of these forms on videotape, analyze and discuss them and they also practice their own ASL storytelling techniques, retelling literary pieces and composing original works. The aim of this course is for students to have the opportunity to experience the creative work and to appreciate signed literature beyond the scope of the narrative. Understanding the background, cultural and linguistic community of the signers will also be emphasized.
Pre-requisite(s): SIGN 2500  
Co-requisite(s): SIGN 3100, SIGN 3200, SIGN 3300, SIGN 3400