Bellevue College
American Sign Language 122
Winter 2010
Syllabus
Instructor: Alex Young
Class: Mon/Wed 5:30pm-7:40pm, L220
E-mail: ayoung@bellevuecollege.edu
Office Hours: After class or by appointment
Required Texts: Signing Naturally Level I, Mikos/Lentz/Smith
Course
Description: ASL 122 is a beginning/continuing American Sign Language course and is designed
to develop receptive, expressive, and conversational proficiency in the
language.
Emphasis is placed on appropriate language and cultural behavior in various
situations with students learning core vocabulary and basic grammar in context
of communicative activities. The students also continue to learn about the deaf
community and culture.
Course
Objective: At the completion of the course, students should be
able to demonstrate intermediate receptive and expressive competence in ASL.
Communicative activities and topics include but are not limited to during the
course:
*Understand
each unit: Chapters 5-8
*Understand
the grammatical and syntax principles in ASL
*Understand
the current issues concerning deaf culture and community
Course
Policy: You can achieve efficient survival skills by total
immersion in ASL, therefore, there is a “no voice” policy. Please refrain from
using your voice the moment class begins. Using your voice is also distracting
to other students and very disrespectful
of the deaf teacher. Those who abuse this voice policy will be asked to leave
the classroom and this will greatly affect the final grade. 15% will be
deducted from the final grade if the “no voice” policy is abused. General
respect of others is expected in class. NO
racist, sexist, homophobic, or any other disrespectful remarks will be
tolerated.
Attendance
&
Participation: Regular class attendance and participation will
influence your comprehension and speed in learning the language. Because ASL is
a visual language, it is important to come to class regularly. You are allowed
two absences without penalty for the spring quarter. 1% will be deducted from
your final grade for each unexcused absence in excess of two. Tardiness is NOT tolerated and will be recorded.
Each total of three tardies will be counted as one
absence.
Exams: There will be two exams this winter quarter. Each exam
will cover two chapters and have three parts. 1. receptive: to test your
ability to read and understand signs 2. expressive: to test your ability to
produce and use signs and grammatical concepts 3. written: to test your ability
to recall assigned readings and discussions in class. For the receptive part, I
will sign and fingerspell. For the expressive part, you will choose a partner
in which you both will develop a conversation based on the units you are being
tested on and guidelines which the instructor will pass out. The conversation
should be between 3-4 minutes. I will let the class know the exam dates in
advance. 400 points.
Quizzes: Throughout the quarter, you will be quizzed on
Chapters 5 & 6 then Chapters 7 & 8 (2 quizzes). Specific dates will be
announced in class. 300 points.
Movie
Critique: The class will view “Beyond Silence” in class. Please
write a critique with your perspective.
Be sure to compare and contrast. Please do not write what the film is
about as I have seen it hundreds of times.
The paper should be typed, at least one page and double-spaced.
Due: One week after film is shown
Group
Project: With your group, please “market” ASL to BC students.
Use your creativity! We will discuss some ideas in class. Due: February 3. 300 points.
Deaf
Activity: You will be required to attend at least TWO deaf community activities or
events. Information will be given out in class. You can use 1 Game Night at BC
for this project. This will help increase your receptive and expressive skills.
The more you are involved, the more fluent you become. Events are widespread in
the
Total
Possible Points: 1,300
Grading: A: 95%-100% A-:
90%-94% B+: 87%-89%
B:
83%-87% B-: 80%-83% C+: 77%-79%
C:
73%-76% C-: 70%-72% D+: 66%-69%
D:
63%-65% D-: 60%-62% F: 59% and below
I strongly encourage classmates to get together and
practice outside of class
to maintain signing skills. If you have any concerns
or are in need of help
please feel free to see me. I am here to help each of
you. My goal is that all
of you enjoy and pass this course! THIS
SYLLABUS IS TENTATIVE