Bellevue Community College

Bellevue Community College

Foreign Language Department

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 103

Quarter	Fall 2006	Credits:	5
Title	ASL 103-A	Item #:	1457-A
Session Hours	Mon/Wed (5:30 p.m.-7:40 p.m.)	Room:	C-168 (Mail Box-R230)
Instructor	Michael A. Cooper	Email:	mcooper@bcc.ctc.edu
Office Hours	By email or Appt.	ASL 103-A:	20 classes

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to ASL 103! J J J J

ASL 103 is a five credit, transferable, college level, language course. It is the third quarter of the first year study of American Sign Language (ASL) and the community of people who use it. In the study of this as a second language you will learn or review fundamental issues of basic human language, grammar and communication. You will discover issues unique to the Deaf community in America, and learn that this beautiful, natural, rich language cannot be separated from the community that developed it. Above all, this is a class that requires your attendance, involvement, practice and commitment if you plan to succeed.

ASL 103 OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts, rules and functions of American Sign Language learned in ASL 101, 102 and 103 through application of these principles in a consistent, practical manner.

2. Demonstrate their improved skills by expressing themselves correctly and understandably in fluid American Sign Language using proper rhythm and movement inherent in the language through practical application, expressive assignments, and receptive exams.

3. Identify, explain and illustrate issues of diversity and fundamental aspects of Deaf Culture, as well as demonstrate knowledge of key terms and issues concerning the education and employment of Deaf people through a variety of methods.

4. Demonstrate direct knowledge of the Deaf Community through expressive assignments and written work.

5. Apply knowledge and comprehension of fundamental ASL language functions and various grammatical concepts and structures, and demonstrate knowledge through usage in class and through expressive assignments.

6. Recognize and understand correct use of ASL through daily practice of core vocabulary by correct responses, translations and application in classroom conversation, core-vocabulary video tapes, receptive exams and expressive assignments.

7. Identify, explain and illustrate the various uses and functions of American Sign Language Classifiers through discussion, usage, expressive assignments, and exams.

8. Demonstrate knowledge of signed concepts, sentences and stories by translating them into written or spoken English.

9. Demonstrate ability to understand English concepts, sentences and stories and translate them into understandable American Sign Language through classroom work, expressive assignments and receptive exams.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

-Signing Naturally, Level 1, Expanded Edition, Student Workbook and Videotape. (Chapters 10-12 & CR) (Blue book)

Deaf in America, Voices from a Culture. Padden & Humphries. Harvard University Press

-1001 Signs for ASL Students Volume II DVD and Course Packet (produced by Rick Mangan, BCC ASL Coordinator.) The student can purchase this book either in BCC bookstore or in Media Center (Library)

-Deaf Culture Log Paper – To document all deaf culture events. The paper is posted on the ASL 103-A class webpage for you to print.. It is your responsibility of checking upcoming Deaf Culture events at www.aslsilentvoices.com which is sponsored by ASL BCC Club. For more information, contact Joshua, the ASL Club President. His email address can be found in the ASL Silent Voices website.

-2 Scantron Quizzes for Culture Book Quizzes and #2 pencil

- Stapler (to staple your reports, etc)

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS:

Random House Webster’s American Sign Language Dictionary (Hardback Edition)

Quick Study: Academic: “New” American Sign Language by BarCharts, Inc. For more information, go to www.quickstudy.com (Good “Study Guide” for ASL 101)

Websites to check out for additional information:

http://www.handspeak.com

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

http://www.cscdhh.org

http://www.deafweb.org

http://asl.meetup.com

GRADING:

A	96%	Your grade is a numerical reflection of the effort and dedication that you invest toward your learning of this subject and your ability to apply what you have learned. You are the only person responsible for your grade. The sum of all of your work points comprises this numerical value that is your grade. As per BCC policy, you will receive a letter grade after the completion of the quarter. This letter grade is assigned as an equivalent to your total earned numerical points. You must have no less than 60% of all possible points to receive a passing grade in this class. There is a total of *1060* points possible for this quarter. Your grade will be a fraction of that number.
A-	90%
B+	87%
B	83%
B-	80%
C+	77%
C	73%
C-	70%
D+	67%
D	63%
D-	60%

POSTING ON BOARD:

I will be posting all assignments/guidelines/syllabus all on the ASL 101-A class website. I will explain to class on how you can create your own student email account and use that account to access to all of my documents/assignments. When you have successfully access to my ASL 101-A class website, I would like for you to write a brief introduction of yourself on the Discussion Board.

10 points = Introduction of yourself= Discussion Board

TESTS:

We will be covering Units 10-12/Cumulative Review Section (CR 7-12) in Signing Naturally Video/Workbook.

Topics of each chapter:

Unit 10 – Talking about Family and Occupations

Unit 11 – Attributing Qualities to Others

Unit 12 – Talking about Routines

Cumulative Review Section (CR 7-12)/Unit 13/ASL Idioms

The tests will be from Signing Naturally video and workbook and also from BCC DVD Disk. There will be four tests. There will be no make-up tests. Final Test will be cumulative.

4 tests = 50 points each= 200 points total for Tests

RESEARCH PAPER:

For the Research Paper section, Students are required to read Deaf in America by Padden & Humphries. The teacher will provide few specific topics from the Deaf in America book for the students to research. The research paper will be 3-4 typed pages long. The teacher will provide detailed guidelines for the research paper in the class. The Research paper guidelines will be posted in the ASL 103-A website. . No late research paper will be accepted.

1 Research Paper = 100 points =100 points total for Research Paper

DEAF CULTURE EXPERIENCE:

The best means of mastering ASL and understanding the Deaf Culture is to attend Deaf Culture events and use ASL. It is for this reason why I require you to have 4 Deaf Culture Contact Experiences. The teacher will submit a detailed guideline on how a student can do well with his/her Deaf Culture Contact Experience. For each Deaf Culture contact you have acquired, please document this in your Deaf Culture Log Paper and write a 2-3 pages paper documenting and detailing how your experience was in Deaf Community. The 2-3 pages paper will be typed. If it is not typed, I will return the paper back to you. The information of upcoming Deaf Culture events will be from www.aslsilentvoices.com website and also will be announced in the class. The deadline for the Deaf Culture Log Paper and the 2-3-pages paper will be on the last day of the course. Late papers will not be accepted.

4 Deaf Culture Contact Experiences = 100 maximum points

HOMEWORK PROJECTS:

Homework projects will be assigned to you as a take home learning/practice experience. I will provide homework semi-weekly. Late work will not be accepted. There will be no make-up homework. Homework projects pertain to the topics we discuss during the course. I will post homework on the class website. It is the responsibility of the student to check the class website for homework posts. Homework is due at beginning of the due date in class.

5 homework projects = 20 points each = 100 points total for Homework projects

EXPRESSIVE PROJECT #1

ASL requires a person to practice their expressive signing skills. For this assignment, all students are required to have an expressive skills project designed to help the students utilize their expressive signing skills. For this project, the students will be allowed to pick selected topics that the teacher will provide in the guideline. The teacher will submit the assignment guidelines to students. There will be no make up for this assignment.

1 Expressive Signing Videotape Assignment = 100 total possible points

EXPRESSIVE QUIZ #1

For this assignment, the student will be assigned a specific topic for students to practice their signing. The students will be graded on how well they express on the selected topic assigned by the teacher. The teacher will give a detailed guideline for how a student can do well on this Expressive Quiz #1.

1 Expressive Quiz #1 = 100 total possible points

CULTURE BOOK QUIZ:

We will be using Deaf in America. The class will have two tests. Each test consists of 50 points. I will post the study guides on the ASL 103-A class websites and will inform to the class when the study guides are posted. There will be no make up Culture Quiz. Please bring a scantron and #2 pencil.

2 Culture Quizzes = 50 points each = 100 points total for Culture Quiz

RECEPTIVE SKILLS EXAMS:

The teacher will sign sentences or stories using vocabulary and grammar learned from the class. The teacher will provide opportunities throughout the quarter for the student to prepare for the exam. This exam is designed to test how a student’s comprehension on other signer’s signing. There will be three receptive skills exams. There will be no makeup Receptive Skills Exams.

3 Receptive Skills Exams = 50 points each = 150 points total for Receptive Skills Exam

CLASS PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE:

Your attendance is required if you are to succeed in any sign language class. ASL 103-A is no exception. Your attendance will be recorded and your percentage of attendance will be added to your final grade. 100 percent attendance will earn 100 attendance points. If you are not able to show up the class, you are required to inform me via email. My email address is mcooper@bcc.ctc.edu. If the student leaves the class and not come back after the break, I will deduce three points.

Total maximum attendance points =100 points for perfect attendance

WEB RESOURCES:

Many of your class guidelines, assignments, homework, and handouts are accessible to you only through the internet. You will need to check frequently to find the resources you need. You can find these important materials at:

http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/materials/

Click on Fall 2006, then World Languages, and then find your class under ASL 103-A and click on the instructor’s name, Cooper, M to find the materials for this class.

NO VOICES/NO CELLULAR PHONES:

ASL is best mastered if the students turn off their voices because by not using voices will enable the students to develop better receptive ASL skills. This is the reason why I prohibit students to use voices at all times. You can use your voice only during the break. Whispering is not allowed. You are expected to assist your classmates and facilitate their effective learning by letting them wrestle with their own questions. Whispering answers to them do not help them learn anything .I will give 2 warnings to students who use voice during class. For 1^st warning, I will give a verbal warning and write the warning on paper and if the students use voice for 2^nd time again, I will ask the student to please leave the class for the day.

Students are not permitted to use cellular phones during the class for the reason that cellular phones do disrupt the class.

MAKE-UP POLICIES:

No make ups will be allowed for homework, quizzes, tests and other assignments. Only exceptions can a student have a make up such as:

1) Your required participation in BCC school events (such as BCC sport events) or High School school events if the student is in the Running Start program. Please submit me a note of your BCC school/HS school schedule and a signature of your sport coach/program director that sponsor the event

2) Accidents or other illness that require you to be confined in home/hospital setting. For that, I require you to submit a doctor’s note.

3) Death in your family. For that, I need you to submit me a note from a funeral director.

In case if you meet these exceptions, it is your responsibility to approach me and make arrangements to schedule a make-up day/time.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

All BCC students are required to adhere to BCC Policy on Student Code of Conduct. If you are uncertain of what is the BCC Policy on Student Code of Conduct, please go to http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/catalog/policies/studentcode.asp or go to BCC Student Services Department to obtain the 2006-2007 College Catalog. In starting, I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you as an adult can handle responsibility for your actions. I will expect courtesy, attentiveness, and a willingness to learn. In so doing, you will earn my respect as a responsible adult and be treated accordingly. I will not tolerate any ridicule, harassment, distracting noise or behavior, cell-phone use, whispering, insults, cruelty. Sometimes, in class, when we make signing mistakes that these mistakes can be funny and laughter follows naturally, good-natured laughter is welcomed, especially where we learn to laugh at ourselves – with our classmates not AT them. Keep in mind that no one feels free to take risks in an environment where they fear being ridiculed or criticized where you, yourself, feel free to make mistakes, and find understanding and support from those around you.

ACCOMMODATION/ACCESSIBILITY:

If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. You will find that Bellevue Community College has many resources for its students with learning differences or disabilities have many options for developing strategies that for academic success.

If you would like to inquire about becoming a DSS student, you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DSS (Disability Support Services) program office at B-132 or check out their website (http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/dss).

INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION:

In case of inclement weather, check the status of BCC opening/closing by going to web: http://status.bcc.ctc.edu or call (425) 401-6680 to obtain recorded message regarding the status of BCC opening/closing.

ASL CAN BE FUN:

American Sign Language is said to be one of the most beautiful languages in the world. It literally is an art. It is a visual-spatial language which enables you to express yourself in 3-D. In ASL, it is very natural for students to make mistakes. By learning from mistakes students master ASL much faster than they would by trying to avoid them. Learning ASL also can be fun! We will have lot of group activities and play games.

HOLIDAY/NO CLASSES HELD ON THESE DATES

Wednesday, October 11, 2006 (College Issues Day)

Monday, October 30, 2006 (Prof. Dev. Day)

TENATIVE SCHEDULE FOR TESTS/ASSIGNMENTS

(Note this is not written in stone)

-Culture Book Quiz #1 (Based from Page v-viii to page 55 in your Deaf in America Book)

-Culture Book Quiz #2 (Covers from page 56 to end of book in your Deaf in America book)

-Receptive Skills Exam#1 (Based on Unit 10 Vocabulary from your Signing Naturally Video/workbook/DVD)

-Receptive Skills Exam #2 (Based on Units 11 &12 Vocabularies from your Signing Naturally Video/workbook/DVD)

-Receptive Skills Exam #3 (Based on Unit 13/ASL Idioms Vocabularies from your Signing Naturally Video/workbook/DVD)

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1^ST week

SEPT 18

FIRST DAY OF ASL 103 J J

Posting on ASL Discussion Board Due

2^nd week

Homework #1 Due

Receptive Skills Exam #1

3^rd week

OCT 2

Signing Naturally Test #1 (Unit 10)

Culture Quiz #1

4^th week

Homework #2 Due

Expressive Project #1 Due

NO CLASS

5^th week

Signing Naturally Test #1 (Unit 11)

6^th week

Homework #3 Due

Culture Quiz #2

Culture Quiz #1

Receptive Skills Exam #2

7^th week

NO CLASS

NOV 1

8^TH week

Signing Naturally Test #3 (Unit 12)

Homework #4 Due

Research Paper Due

NO CLASS

9^th week

Receptive Skills Exam #3

10^th week

ASL Expressive Project #1 Due

NO CLASS

11^th week

Signing Naturally Test #4 (Unit 13/Idioms/etc)

Homework #5 Due

29 (LAST DAY OF COURSE)

Culture Quiz #2

Deaf Culture Log Paper and Deaf Culture Report Due

DEC 1

12^TH week

FINALS

(Office Hours by Appt)

FINALS (Office Hours by Appt)

FINALS

(Office Hours by Appt)