Blinn College
Bryan Campus
American Sign Language IV
SGNL 2302/Section 315
Course Syllabus
Spring 2013
Professor:
Robyn J. Marcak
Email: robyn.marcak@blinn.edu
Office:
Health Bldg A258
Office Hours: MW 2:00-2:45 pm (Blinn)
TR 10:40-11:10 (BCHS)
TR 2:30-4:15 pm (Blinn)
By Appointment
Office Phone: 979-314-7004
Call me through Sorenson Video Relay Service if you need to get a hold of
me.
1) Dial toll free: 1-866-327-8877
2) When asked, provide my full name and videophone number:
a) Robyn J. Marcak
b) 979-314-7004
3) A Sorenson video relay interpreter will connect us.
Website:
Links:
http://www.blinn.edu/brazos/humanities/rmarcak
http://www.aslpro.com http://netac.rit.edu/goals
http://www.lifeprint.com
Courses/Labs:
M/W SGNL 2302 315
12:00-1:15 pm
Classrooms:
M/W SGNL 2302 315
H216
Purpose Statement:
In American Sign Language 2302, the fourth of four courses in American Sign Language (ASL),
students will learn more developmental skills in American Sign Language, as well as an appreciation
for Deaf culture. This course is a foreign language. SGNL 2301 supports Blinn’s mission by offering
college level transfer courses for those seeking associate degrees or intending to transfer to senior
institutions. This can lead to interpreting certificate or degree in ASL/Deaf Education.
Course Description: SGNL 2302:
A continuation of SGNL 2301, this course provides further study in American Sign Language, its
vocabulary, grammar, syntax, manual and non-manual aspects as well as cultural features. Students
will analyze selected literary works in ASL, integrate skills in discourse styles and structures, and apply
the concept of contextualization to narratives. This course provides development and practice of
conversational skills in expressive and receptive areas of ASL.
Prerequisite(s):
SGNL 1401, 1402, 2301 or permission of the division chair
Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes:
In this course, the students will acquire the following areas:
 demonstrate significant grammatical structures in English and ASL
 use facial expressions, body language, and non-manual behaviors in ASL
 interpret receptive skills from signed videos and ASL exams into linguistically and
grammatically correct English
 express idiomatic signs in ASL
 converse stories, reports, and events in ASL
 discuss appropriate terms related to stories, etc
 develop linguistic grammatical structures in ASL
 interpret characteristics of deafness and the cultural aspects/deaf education in ASL
 understand sequence of events in stories
Required Texts and Materials:
 Mikos, Smith, and Lentz. Signing Naturally: Level 3: A Student Workbook
o and Videotext. San Diego: Dawn Sign Press, 2001.
 Lane, Harlan. The Mask of Benevolence: Disabling the Deaf Community.
o San Diego: Dawn Sign Press. 1999.
 USB or DVDs for projects
 Scantrons for quizzes and exams (when announced)
 Booklet: Handouts (Blinn Copy Center)
Tentative Course Schedule:
January
14
First class day. Syllabus/Pretest
16
Unit 18: Narrating Unforgettable Moments
(related grammar, role shifting, spatial agreement, sequence
classifiers, time reaction, and story elaboration)
18
Last day to add/drop classes
21
Holiday-MLK
23
Unit 18: Narrating Unforgettable Moments
(con’t)
28
Unit 18: Narrating Unforgettable Moments
(con’t)
30
Unit 18: Narrating Unforgettable Moments
(con’t)
February
4
Unit 18: Narrating Unforgettable Moments
(con’t)
Signing Stories Assignment #1 Due
6
Unit 18: Narrating Unforgettable Moments
(con’t)
11
Unit 18: Narrating Unforgettable Moments
(con’t)
Project #1 Due (End of Unit 18: Narrative –“Embarrassing Moment’)
13
Test on Unit 18
18
Unit 21: Talking About Accidents
(related grammar, more classifiers, time reactions and story elaborations)
20
Unit 21: Talking About Accidents
(con’t)
Signing Stories Assignment #2 Due
25
Unit 21: Talking About Accidents
(con’t)
Unit 21: Talking About Accidents
(con’t)
27
March
4
6
11-14
18
20
25
27
29
Unit 21: Talking About Accidents
(con’t)
Unit 21: Talking About Accidents
(con’t)
Project #2 Due (End of Unit 21: Narrative “Telling About
An Accident”)
Spring Break
Test on Unit 21; Signing Stories Assignment #3 Due
Unit 22: Talking About Money
(related grammar, classifiers, directed verbs, and story elaborations)
Unit 22: Talking About Money
(con’t)
Unit 22: Talking About Money
(con’t)
Signing Stories Assignment #4 Due
Holiday-Good Friday
April
1
3
8
10
12
15
17
22
24
29
Unit 22: Talking About Money
(con’t)
Unit 22: Talking About Money
(con’t)
Test Unit 22
Signing Stories Assignment #5 Due
Last Day to Drop classes with a Q.
Unit 23: Making Major Decisions – Discussing Housing Situations (related grammar,
classifiers, and story elaborations)
Unit 23: Making Major Decisions
(con’t)
Unit 23: Making Major Decisions
(con’t)
Signing Stories Assignment #6
Unit 23: Making Major Decisions
Project #3 Due (End Chapter 23 – “Making Major Decisions).
Review for final (Unit 23 will be part of the final)
May
1
6
Discuss videos before taking a Post-Test
Final Exam – 12:45 pm to 2:45 pm
Final Exam - There is no early or make-up final exam. Please plan accordingly.
Final Exam will be given on:
Monday, May 6 at 12:45 pm to 2:45 pm
 This schedule is tentative. Any necessary changes to the schedule will be announced in class.
Students are responsible for knowing about these changes even if they are absent.
Course Requirements:
First and foremost, this class will be what you make of it. Learning a visual language takes effort and
persistence - it’s unlike anything you’ve ever attempted. English and American Sign Language are two
completely different languages! It is essential that you make every effort to attend EVERY class on
time and participate in the class activities. This course utilizes visual stimuli to promote skills
development. There is no way to make up an absence. There will be pre and post-tests, projects,
assignments, quizzes, reports, tests and final exam.
Grading Criteria:
Your mastery of the course components will be measured by a point system. The course components
will have these values:
Assignments:
Daily Grades
3 Unit Exams
Final Exam
6 Signing Stories
3 Projects
Points each:
@ 3 points/day
@ 100 points
@ 100 points
@ 100 points
@ 100 Points
TOTAL:
Total Points:
90 points
300 points
100 points
600 points
300 points
1390 points
(Homework and quiz points will be added and total points will be adjusted.)
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 60
Outcome Final Grade
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Failure
I
Q
QF
W
A 100-90%
B 89-80%
C 79-70%
D 69-60%
F 59-50%
Incomplete
Dropped
Dropped Failing
Dropped Due to Cause or
Withdrew from College
No talking or use of voice will be tolerated during class sessions. The skills to be developed in this class
depend on visual perception and visual memory. The use of auditory clues inhibits this learning
process for the person speaking and for those who are distracted by that person’s voice. In a true
cross-cultural experience between those who are Deaf and those who are Hearing, it is important to
respect a Deaf person’s position on the discriminatory use of voice in his/her presence. Every time
you use your voice, 5 points will be docked each time your voice is used in class from daily grade (ex:
used voice 3 times Monday night – 15 points docked). Using voice during test to help others cheat is a
distraction, will result in immediate “0” as a final grade on that test.
Service Learning Project combines community service with classroom instruction or student club
activities, focusing on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility to engage students. Service
Learning programs involve students in activities that address local needs while developing their
academic or professional skills and commitment to their community. If you do ASL/Deaf social
events and workshops, you must have at least 10 hours of community service. Once you complete the
project; you will receive a Blinn Certificate for recognition. This will help you to build up your
resume if you participate fully. It is optional.
Blinn College Policies:
Civility in the Classroom: Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff, and
students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds
all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit
themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the
personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for
College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.
Civility Notification Statement: If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior,
the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a conference with the instructor. It is
the student’s responsibility to arrange for this conference.
Attendance: The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success;
therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. A record of
attendance will be maintained from the first day of classes and/or the first day the student’s name
appears on the roster through final examinations. If a student has one week’s worth of unexcused
absences during the semester, he or she will be sent an e-mail by the College District requiring the
student to contact his or her instructor and schedule a conference immediately to discuss his/her
attendance issues. Should the student accumulate two weeks’ worth of unexcused absences, he or she
will be administratively withdrawn from class. In summer classes, the student may be administratively
withdrawn after three unexcused absences. No email warnings will be sent by the college in the
summer.
Blinn College policy excuses absences (with timely documentation) for four causes:
 observance of religious holy days. The student should notify his or her instructor(s) not later
than the 15th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent
for any religious holy days.
 representing the College District at an official institutional function;
 high school dual credit students representing the independent school district at an official
institutional function; and
 military service.
Other absences, may be considered excused, with appropriate documentation, at the discretion of the
faculty member.
Adding / Dropping Courses:
Adding: No courses may be added later than the first week of a regular semester. A student adding
the course must make up the work missed within two weeks after a course is added.
Dropping: Students may drop, or withdraw from, courses by notifying Admissions and Records in
person or in writing. The official drop date for a regular semester is the Friday of the 12th week of that
semester. A student who drops on or before the official drop date may receive a grade of W or Q. A
student who drops after the official drop date will receive a grade of QF. If the student’s work was
passing at the time of withdrawal, he or she may petition the instructor to file a grade change from QF
to Q. Students may not drop or be dropped from classes once the final examination period begins.
Last day for students to drop classes with a Q for Spring 2013 semester is April 12, 2013.
Scholastic Integrity: Blinn instructors are responsible for maintaining scholastic integrity by refusing
to tolerate any form of scholastic dishonesty. As academic honesty is stressed in all classes, there is no
distinction between intentional and unintentional plagiarism. According to the Blinn College Student
Handbook, [www.blinn.edu/student%20handbook.pdf] violations of the Scholastic Integrity Policy
“shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.” This handbook
defines “plagiarism” as “the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means
another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written
work.” Blinn College stipulates that “collusion” is the “unauthorized collaboration with another
person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Violations of the Scholastic
Integrity Policy may result in a “penalty ranging from a grade of zero on the assignment/examination
up to and including the imposition of an F for the entire course.” Any student accused of scholastic
dishonesty is entitled to due process as outlined in Blinn College Board Policy FLB (Local). It is critical
that written documentation be maintained at each level throughout the process.
Disability Accommodations: Blinn College is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning
environment for all students. Support services for students with documented disabilities are provided
on an individual basis, upon request. Services are not retroactive; they must be requested early in the
semester. Requests for services should be made directly to the Office of Disability Services serving the
campus of your choice. For the Bryan campus, the Office of Disability Services (Administration
Building) can be reached at (979)209-7251. Additional information can be found at
www.blinn.edu/disability/index.html. Students are encouraged to contact this office as early as possible
to initiate services. The student must then discuss requested accommodations with the instructor.
Accomodations are not retroactive.
Final Grade Appeal: If a student wishes to appeal a final grade in a course, Blinn College Board Policy
FLDB (Local), Course Grade Complaints, outlines the timeline for the appeal and the four steps in the
appeal. This policy is located in the Blinn College Student Handbook,
www.blinn.edu/student%handbook.pdf
Personal Electronic Devices: All the functions of all personal electronic devices designed for
communication and/or entertainment (cell phones, pagers, beepers, iPods, and similar devices) must be
turned off and kept out of sight in all Blinn College classrooms and associated laboratories. Any
noncompliance with this policy will be addressed in accordance with the Blinn College civility policy
(Administrative Policy). Additionally, any communication understood by the instructor to be in the
nature of cheating will have consequences in accordance with the Blinn College policy section regarding
academic dishonesty. Students exempted from this policy include active members of firefighting
organizations, emergency medical services organizations, commissioned police officers, on-call employees
of any political subdivision of the state of Texas, or agencies of the federal government. Exempted students
are expected to set the emergency-use devices on silent or vibrate mode only. Any student violating this
policy shall be subject to discipline, including suspension, in accordance with Student Handbook.
Incomplete Grade: A grade of “I” may be given only in emergencies, such as the serious illness of the
student or a close family member. This grade is not for students who fall behind in their work. To
receive a grade of incomplete the student must have satisfactorily completed all but one or two of the
final requirements of the course. The instructor and student must agree on this grade before it can be
assigned, then a course completion contract must be signed by student, instructor, and division chair.
All work must be made up within 90 days of signing the course completion contract, or zeroes will be
assigned for the uncompleted work.
Textbooks: The assigned textbooks are essential for your learning, especially in classes focusing on the
study of the written word. You must provide yourself with the books from the very beginning of the
semester. You are required to bring the textbook with you every day unless otherwise notified. You
may not share the textbook during class or use photocopied pages instead of the book.
Student e-mail accounts: Every Blinn College student is assigned an email account to facilitate official
College correspondence. Students must activate their accounts initially through the Student E-mail
Accounts link at the Blinn home page. Students need to check their Blinn accounts regularly for
important communications, including excessive absence reports and emergency announcements.
NO FOOD OR DRINK, PETS, OR SMALL CHILDREN ALLOWED IN BLINN COLLEGE
CLASSROOMS. VISITORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN CLASS WITHOUT THE PRIOR CONSENT
OF THE INSTRUCTOR.
Humanities Division Policies:
Mid-term grades: Although not required by Blinn College, this Division requires that all instructors
inform their students in writing of their standing at mid-term of each semester, including summer
semesters. Accordingly, you will be notified at mid-term of your grades, and if appropriate, advised
how to improve your performance.
20 % Rule: Students who miss over 20 percent of the coursework due to absences, excused or
unexcused, will not be allowed to make up the work. They miss out on too much of the material/skills
taught to successfully make up missed work. Even though students may keep up on the assigned
reading, there is no way to make up missed lectures, class discussions, group work, etc., all very
important and necessary methods of learning the skills required for this course.
Medical Excuses: Students must inform their doctors’ offices or clinics that their instructor might call
to verify a medical excuse. If the appointment cannot be verified, the excuse will not be accepted.
Falsifying such documents is prohibited under the Blinn College Discipline Code.
Penalties for violating this code can include measures such as suspension or permanent expulsion from
the College. Students who do not see a doctor may also see the Blinn College nurse at the Health Clinic
(Science Building, 209-7269) who can write notes for them to verify their illness.
Instructor/Course Policies:
Exams will have two parts: written (based on texts and lectures) and receptive (teacher will sign
material and/or parts of a video will be shown and you will write it down or answer a question). You
may not talk or look at others’ test papers during the exam. If you are caught talking or looking at
others’ test papers during the exam, you will be asked to leave the classroom and will receive an
automatic “F” on your test.
If you are absent more than 3 times, you will be dropped from my class automatically. There is no way
you can get back into my class. Be aware of that!
Make-up work/exams will only be allowed in cases of dire emergency in case of death in the family or
emergency surgery only. A note from the doctor will be needed as soon as the student returns to class with
days student is absent. Religious/Holy Days and Blinn sanctioned trips with appropriate documentation
presented ahead of time will be excused. Student is required to meet with the instructor to establish date to
make-up work or exams. You have one-week to make-up once you return to class. Your make-up grade
will be docked 25 points automatically from the grade you earned on make-up assignments based on the two
cases mentioned above. Do NOT schedule doctor or dental appointments DURING my class times! Makeup work need to be turned in a week after you return to class.
Students who miss class are responsible for finding out the assignments missed from other classmates.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR FOR ASSIGNMENTS. It is necessary to get
some email addresses and phone numbers from some of your classmates for this purpose.
Familiarize yourself with the texts, the videos, and your classmates. I suggest you review your units
before, during, and after they are assigned. Also, it is a good idea to team up with some of your
classmates to practice what you are learning and apply what you have learned. Fingerspell every word
you see! Use every sign you know! Workbook assignments will be assigned to you as we go through
each lesson. Due dates are listed below. But, it is always a good idea to watch the video clips everyday!
Practice, practice, practice!!!
Recommendations on How to Study
 This course is time-consuming. Students will need to study at least two hours outside of class for
every hour of in-class instruction.
 It is an opportunity to learn a foreign language (ASL)-like building a house brick by brick.
Students who attend class regularly and study daily will have a strong foundation upon which to
build the material of subsequent courses. Students who cram for exams will not be able to
retain essential knowledge, which they will need later.
 It is helpful to become familiar with the material being studied both before and after class.
 It is beneficial by watching video clips outside of the classroom to enhance your ASL skills.
 It is essential to have a positive attitude toward the language and to see how it complements
one’s career goals.
 You can practice and review with other classmates to reinforce the material being learned.
 You need to refer to the syllabus frequently to remember the dates of important assignments.
 You can keep track of the points you earned to get a realistic picture of where you stand at any
given moment.
 Conscientious students will try to accumulate the highest number of points earned before taking
the final exam, so that if they have a bad test day, they still will do well in the course.
 The students who make it their objective to learn the language, not just get by with minimal
effort, will learn the language well, assure their success in future Spanish classes and will
graduate with some ability to use the language.
 The keys to fluency are having an extensive vocabulary and a workable knowledge of the
structure of the language.
 Remember that ASL is a visual language and requires a lot of your time in front of a monitor
(TV or computer) as well as a mirror to practice both receptive and expressive ASL.
Assignment Descriptions:
Signing Stories: In the back of your workbook you will find signing story assignments. You have to
watch a video clip for each assignment then answer the questions. Your format must be typed
according to the assignment. It will be due on the due dates.
Assignment 1: “A Teacher I’ll Never Forget”
Assignment 2: “Never Above the Waist”
Assignment 3: “A Lesson About Sound”
Assignment 4: “Some Thoughts on Fingerspelling”
Assignment 5: “A Whistle Stops the Game”
Assignment 6: Personal choice 6, 7, or 8
Due: February 4
Due: February 20
Due: March
18
Due: March
27
Due: April
10
Due: April
22
Projects: Projects one and two will be videotaped on your own time. Please plan and prepare your
project in advance. DO NOT wait until the last minute. You may hand in a DVD or USB. Just make
sure I can open them. Project three will be presented in class. Be sure you make a PowerPoint
presentation for this assignment.
Projects #1, #2, and #3 are from your workbook. Read the directions and follow through. Most of the
signs/grammar will be taught in class, but if you have a need for more information, let me know.
Project 1: Unit 18: Narrative – “An Unforgettable Moment” p. 16-21
Do at home; Due
Project 2: Unit 21: Narrative – “An Accident”
Do at home; Due
Project 3: Unit 23: Narrative – “Making Major Decisions”
You will present your project in Class
Due
p. 116
p. 139
Reading Assignments for Mask of Benevolence:
Read the following pages from The Mask of Benevolence: Disabling the Deaf Community in preparation
for your tests.
With Unit 18, read Part 1 (pages 3-28)
With Unit 21, read Part II (pages 31-66)
With Unit 22, read Part III & IV (pages 69-125)
With Unit 23, read Part V & VI (pages 129-200)
ASL IV
SGNL 2302
Robyn J. Marcak
Please read and sign:
I have received the course information handout (CIH) and grading policy for the American Sign
Language IV course. The handout has been explained to me and I understand that I need to
keep it all semester and refer to it for my questions about the course. I understand that Robyn J.
Marcak is available to answer questions not addressed in the handout.
Name (please print legibly) _____________________________________
Signature ________________________________
Date ____________________________________