Bellevue Community College

Bellevue College

Foreign Language Department

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 121

Quarter	Spring Quarter 2010	Credits:	5
Title	ASL 121-A	Item #:	1430-A
Session Hours	8:30-9:20 a.m. Daily	Room:	L221 (Mailbox : R230)
Instructor	Michael A. Cooper	Email:	mcooper@bellevuecollege.edu
Office Hours	Appointment/Email.	ASL 121-A	Total of 51 classes

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

ASL 121 is a five credit, transferable, college level, language course. It is an introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) and the community of people who use it. As a second language, ASL 121 also covers fundamental issues of basic human language, grammar and conversation. Above all, it is a class that requires your attendance, involvement, and practice if you plan to succeed. Success in this class will bring you valuable skills that will enrich your life significantly, by introducing you to a unique, diverse, rich culture that coexists throughout North America, namely Deaf Community, empowering you to connect with members of that community by means of a natural language, and broaden your understanding of human communication, culture, and language.

ASL 121 OBJECTIVES:

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

1. Demonstrate understanding of fundamental definitions of Deaf Culture and knowledge of the Deaf Community through interactions and written work.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic issues common to American Deaf Culture, its history and values, through written work (reports, tests, group work and videos). Also identify elements of Deaf Culture that are different from or similar to their own and identify elements of Deaf family life that are different from or similar to their own family lives.

3. Explain and illustrate the substrates of a natural language as opposed to artificial languages or codes.

4. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of fundamental ASL language functions, grammatical structures and general principles of human language functions that apply not only to ASL but also to various natural languages. (Grammatical Elements – noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, subject, object, topic, comment)

5. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the rules governing the use of finger-spelling and ASL numbers by correct responses and translations in conversations and exams and correct application in conversations and expressive assignments.

6. Translate ideas from ASL to English and English to ASL and demonstrate their skill through quizzes, exams, class presentations and interactions.

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

8. Gain a general knowledge of grammatical constructs, rules, and functions of American Sign Language and demonstrate this knowledge through usage, responses, translations and application in classroom conversation, receptive exams and expressive assignments.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

SIGNING NATURALLY-STUDENT WORKBOOK (by Cheri Smith, Ella Mae Lentz and Ken Mikos) – Please bring this book to class everyday.

1001 Uses of ASL Signs DVD/workbook, Vol.1 (by Rick Mangan, ASL program Coordinator) - can be purchased in BCC bookstore – Please only bring the DVD workbook everyday.

Deaf Culture Log Paper – This log paper is for you to document all deaf culture events. The Deaf Culture log paper is posted on the ASL 121-A class webpage for you to print out. It is your responsibility of checking upcoming Deaf Culture events at the ASL 121-A class website. For more information, please feel free to contact the ASL Club President. I will announce her email address in the class first week of class.

Four Scantron Test Quizzes and #2 pencil for the Culture Book/Grammar Quizzes

Earplugs- Will be distributed to class

Stapler: For you to staple your reports.

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS:

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

Quick Study: Academic: “New” American Sign Language by BarCharts, Inc. For more information, go to www.quickstudy.com (Good “Study Guide” for ASL 121)

Websites to check out for additional information:

http://www.asl.ms http://www.deafread.com

http://www.handspeak.com http://www.deafvideo.tv

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm http://www.youtube.com

http://www.hsdc.org http://www.asl.pro

http://www.deafweb.org

http://asl.meetup.com

http://www.deaf.com

http://www.myspace.com/bccasl

http://www.asl.meetup.com/262

http://www.deaf-tube.com

http://www.deafnewspaper.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. You must achieve a minimum of a C grade to transfer to the next level of ASL. There is a total of 1110 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 121-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 121-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 1 through 4 in Signing Naturally Student Companion. The tests will be from Signing Naturally Student Companion and BCC’s 1001 Uses of ASL DVD disk and workbook. There will be four tests. There will be no make-up tests.

Topics of Each Chapter (From Signing Naturally Workbook)

Unit 1 = Introducing Onself

Unit 2 = Exchanging Personal Information

Unit 3 = Discussing Living Situations

Unit 4 = Talking about Family

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

DEAF CULTURE PRESENTATION PROJECT

In this project, all students are required to create a presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint software regarding selected topics provided by the Instructor on Deaf Community/Culture. The Instructor will post the selected topics and the Deaf Culture Presentation project guidelines on the ASL 121-A website. The instructor will also provide guidelines on how to use PowerPoint for students who are not familiar with PowerPoint. There will be no make up for this assignment.

1 Deaf Culture Presentation Project = 100 total points.

EXPRESSIVE PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

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 Assignment = 200 total possible points

FINGERSPELLING:

We will have ten fingerspelling Quizzes. ASL 121 students are expected to master their fingerspelling skills. Each fingerspelling quiz will consist of ten points. There will be no make-up quizzes.

10 Fingerspelling Quizzes = 10 points each quiz = 100 points total for Fingerspelling

CULTURE BOOK/GRAMMAR QUIZ:

We will be using a new book called Signing Naturally Student Companion Workbook. The class will have four tests. Each test is worth 25 points.. I will post the study guides on the ASL 121-A class websites and will inform to the class when the study guides are posted. There will be no makeup Culture Quiz.

4 Culture Quizzes = 25 points each = 100 points total for Culture Quiz

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 instructor will submit a detailed guideline for how to succeed in your Deaf Culture contact experiences. 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 your experience with Deaf Community for this quarter. The 2-3 pages paper will be typed and covers the entire Deaf Community experiences you have acquired during this particular quarter. The students also are required to submit proof of documentation (i.e. brochure, business card, signatures, flyers, etc) that they have attended to the events. If it is not typed, I will return the paper back to you. The instructor will announce other upcoming Deaf Culture events in the class. The instructor will also post upcoming Deaf Culture events in the ASL 121-A class website. The deadline for the Deaf Culture Log Paper and the 2-3-pages report will be on the last day of the course. Late papers will not be accepted. The teacher will not accept Deaf Culture Report papers via email.

4 Deaf Culture Contact Experiences = 100 points total for Deaf Culture Experience.

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 is due at the beginning of the class. Homework projects pertain to the topics we discuss during the course.. I prefer for you to submit to me the hard copy, not to me via email. If you do not have printer, you can use a printer at any computer that is available to students throughout Bellevue Community College and also please staple all of your reports/homework assignments.

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

“AUTHENTIC” EARPLUG EXPERIMENT:

It is the philosophy in the ASL Program Department and the Deaf Community that students learn ASL the best way by being “culturally” immersed in the culture that they are learning.

For this reason, I require all students to wear earplugs for the first three weeks of school so the students can acquire “authentic” experiences on what it feels to have reduced hearing. Earplugs also can help prevent noise distractions. With less noise distractions will enriches the learning environment.

Earplugs can be purchased from the BCC bookstore. It is yours to wear the earplugs for the next three weeks. In case if you do lose your earplugs, it is your responsibility to purchase a new earplug.

In case if you have medical reasons that prevent you from wearing an earplug, please notify me about that and please submit me a doctor’s note stating that you have medical reason for not wearing earplugs.

Within three weeks of our earplug adventure, I require for all of the students to write a paper detailing your experiences, comments, thoughts on this earplug adventure. Please type one to two page papers.

I have good news J J J : If you want to wear earplugs for the rest of the quarter (after 1^st three weeks), I will award 25 free points for simply wearing earplugs to each class.

Please keep in mind, I will be checking all of your ears for each class during the first three weeks of the quarter: 1) At the beginning of the class, 2) after break ends, and 3) when the class ends. If I see a student not wearing earplug, I will deduce 2 points for each time the student will not wear earplugs in the first three weeks.

Also, when each class session ends, always remember to remove your earplugs for safety reasons.

1 “Authentic Earplug Experiment” Report = 100 points

CLASS PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE:

Your attendance is required if you are to succeed in any sign language class. ASL 121 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@bellevuecollege.edu. If there is an emergency, page me at 206-393-7366. Please page only if you have an emergency; otherwise email to my work email address. If the student arrive class late, I will give a warning and if the student is late repeatedly, I will count the excessive tardiness as an absence. If the student leaves during the class unless for valid reasons, I will count this as an absence.

Total maximum attendance points = 100 points for perfect attendance

ASL TUTORING:

We do have ASL tutoring for all ASL students . For more information, please check out at www.bellevuecollege.edu/tutoring.

ASL 121-A CLASS WEBSITE:

It is the Student’s responsibility to check the class website frequently for resources and class materials.

www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/materials

Click on Spring Quarter 2010

Click on World Languages

Click on American Sign Languages

Click on ASL 121-A (Cooper, M)

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.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

All Bellevue College students are required to adhere to BC Policy on Student Code of Conduct. If you are uncertain of what is the BC Policy on Student Code of Conduct, please go to http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/catalog/policies/studentcode.asp or go to BC Student Services Department to obtain the 20009-2010 College Catalogs. In stating that, 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 DRC student, you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DRC (Disability Resource Center) program office at B-132 or check out their website (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc).

INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION:

In case of inclement weather, check the status of BC opening/closing by going to web: http://status.bcc.ctc.edu or call (425) 401-6680 to obtain recorded message regarding the status of BC opening/closing. In case of the inclement weather on the day when the class is taking the test, the test will be postponed till the next class. You also can have the status information be downloaded to your mobile cell phone. For more information on that, feel free to contact me.

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 to 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. J J J J

HOLIDAY DATES/NO CLASSES HELD ON THESE DATES:

Monday, May 31, 2010 (Memorial Day Holiday)

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1^ST week

April 5

FIRST DAY OF ASL 121 J J

BEGIN UNIT 1

START OF EARPLUG

EXPERIMENT

Posting on Discussion Board Due BY 5pm (10 points)

Fingerspelling Quiz #1 (10 points)

2^nd week

Homework #1 Due (20 points)

Fingerspelling Quiz #2 (10 points)

3^rd week

Signing Naturally Test #1 (Unit 1)

(50 points)

BEGIN UNIT 2

Fingerspelling Quiz #3 (10 points)

Culture Book/Grammar Quiz #1 from Unit 1

(25 points)

4^th week

Homework #2 Due (20 points)

LAST DAY OF REQUIRED EARPLUG EXPERIMENT

Fingerspelling Quiz #4 (10 points)

5^th week

MAY 3

“Earplug” Experiment Report Due

(100 points)

Signing Naturally Test #2 (Unit 2)

(50 points)

BEGIN UNIT 3

Fingerspelling Quiz #5 (10 points

Culture Book/Grammar Quiz #2 from Unit 2

(25 points)

6^th week

Homework #3 Due (20 points)

Fingerspelling Quiz #6 (10 points

7^th week

Presentation Project Due

(100 points)

Fingerspelling Quiz #7 (10 points)

8^TH week

Signing Naturally Test #3 (Unit 3)

(50 points)

Fingerspelling Quiz #8 (10 points)

Culture Book/Grammar Quiz #3 from Unit 3 (25 points)

9^th week

NO CLASS

JUNE 1

BEGIN UNIT 4

Homework #4 Due (20 points)

Fingerspelling Quiz #9

10^th week

ASL Expressive Group Due (200 points)

Homework #5 Due (20 points)

Fingerspelling Quiz #10 (10 points)

Signing Naturally Test #4 from Unit 4

(50 points)

11^th week

15(LAST DAY OF COURSE)

Culture Book/Grammar Quiz #4 from Unit 4 (25 points)

Deaf Culture Log Paper and Deaf Culture Log Paper and Deaf Contacts Report Due (100 points)

OPTIONAL

PICK UP PAPERS

L221

SAME TIME AS YOUR CLASS