ASL 1300- American Sign Language Structure - 1459
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:
Dean: Dr. Martha Campbell
Office Location: LA 159
Office Number: (727)791-5904
Instructor/email:
Course type:
Prerequisites:
Course description:
Office
location:
Office
hours:
Academic Chair: Dr. Shirley Oakley
Office Location: LA 159
Office Number: (727)791-2570
Dr. Beth Carlson
mailto:carlsonbeth@spcollege.edu
Lecture Blended
ASL I, II, III and Deaf Culture
ASL 1300 is a course for the intermediate or advanced signer with
limited exposure to American Sign Language (ASL), as used by Deaf adults.
ASL will be studied with an emphasis on the phonological, morphological,
semantic, syntactical, idiomatic and metaphorical aspects. Current
research in the field is examined and discussed.
There are 47 contact hours.
LA 109
On Campus
Monday/Wednesday: 8:00-9:15;
12:30-1:45
Tuesday (Tarpon): 8:45-9:15/10:4511:00
Tuesday (Clearwater): 11:45-1:00;
2:45-3:00
Thursday (Clearwater): 11:45-1:45
Virtual Hours
Monday -Thursday: 5:45-6:45 am
Friday: 7:30-8:30
Phone:
727-791-2746
Disabilities
info:
From Student and Educational Services
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/#accommodations
Academic
and
Student
Affairs:
From Student and Educational Services
Reasonable accommodations are available to students who:
 are otherwise qualified for admission to the College
 identify themselves to appropriate College personnel
 Provide acceptable and qualifying documentation to the College.
It is the student's responsibility to provide notice of the nature of the disability to
the College and to assist in identifying appropriate and effective accommodation. Students must
personally identify the need, provide supporting diagnostic test results and professional evaluations,
participate in planning services, and give adequate notice in requesting accommodation. A
Counselor/Learning Specialist in the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) is
assigned to oversee services on each SPC campus. To call, visit, or e-mail a Counselor/Learning
Specialist, see the list below.
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Contact Information by Campus
http://www.spcollege.edu/dr/
Class
meeting
schedule
Tuesday 1:00-2:45
LA 109
Textbooks
Required:
1) Linguistics of American Sign Language 5th Edition by C. Valli, C. Lucas, Kristin
Mulrooney & M. Villanueva
ISBN 978-1-56368-507-1
2) American Sign Language Series (The Green Series):
A Teacher's Resource Text on Grammar and Culture by D. Cokely and C. Baker-Shenk
ISBN 0-930323-84-X
3) GoReact by Speakworks
Recommended Text or Other Reading Material:
* Deaf Tend Your by B. Bridges and M. Metzger
* Language in Motion by Schein and Stewart
* Sign Language and the Deaf Community by Stokoe
* The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language by Crystal
* A Journey into the Deaf World by H. Lane
* Later Language Development by Nippold
* ASL Grammatical Aspects (with video) by Cassell
* The Deaf Experience: Classics in Language and Education by H. Lane
* Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language by Groce
* Deaf in America by C. Padden
* Inside Deaf Culture by C. Padden and T. Humphries
* Seeing Voices by O. Sacks
* What's Your Sign for Pizza? by C. Lucas, R. Bayley, & C. Valli
* Sociolinguistics and Deaf Communities by C. Lucas
* Introduction to American Sign Language by H. Hoeman
Other
materials/
Media
Protocol:
For this class you must have access to a webcam. Use the ASL Lab.
Protocol for Production of Media Make sure you sign the following information on each video project.
Your First and Last Name
The Date
The Project Title
When producing visual/gestural material the student must be aware of procedures that will enhance the
production:
Backgrounds



Color of Clothes should be a solid color that contrasts with a student’s skin color.
Light skinned students wear darker solid color tops.
Darker skinned students wear lighter solid color tops.
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

Tops should have sleeves; no tank tops, low cut or sleeveless
tops permitted.
Tops should not have distractions: buttons, emblems, and graphics.
Distractions




Hair should be out of the face. Do not wear a hat or chew gum.
Jewelry should not be distracting: dangling earrings, shiny necklace, sparkly pins and piercings
must be hidden.
Midriff and/or shoulders should not be exposed.
If tattoos are present on the arms, cover your arms with longs sleeves.
Not following protocol will result in points being deducted from the final grade of the material
produced. Exercises from the Student Textbooks will be assigned each week. You will be prepared
to demonstrate their receptive and expressive sign skills during the class.
Video Assignments: You will be expected to submit digital assignments for grading. This work will
be recorded through GoREACT. Be sure to set up and save your password as soon as you receive my
invitation to the class. Webcams are available in the ASL Lab. Personal webcams are acceptable
provided media protocol is followed.
Course
goals and
objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student will acquire:







Knowledge of the historical development and changes in ASL
General information related to linguistic research and various types of research
Knowledge of linguistic publications which serve as resources in the study of ASL
Understanding of the phonological and morphological process of ASL
An understanding of the semantic features of ASL as related to conceptual signing
An understanding of the syntactical rules and aspects of ASL
An understanding of the idiomatic and metaphorical aspects of ASL vocabulary
DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Structure of the Grammar of Language:
The study of the grammar of a language deals with the basic forms and structure of words/signs
(phonology), the derivation and meaning of words/signs and their parts (morphology), and their
customary arrangements in phrases, sentences (syntax) and "utterances" (sense of the sentence or
pragmatics). The term "structure" of language is formally used to denote all levels of language
study, including phonology, morphology, semantics (word/sign meanings), syntax and pragmatics or
sociolinguistic usage. ASL structure is a study of ASL used by Deaf adults with a minimum of English
influence!
Attendance The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum
policy:
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/. Since learning a language requires interacting as with native
users and practicing with others on a regular basis, American Sign Language students will need to attend
and participate in all classes to be successful. Attendance will be tracked during each class. Because this
is a blended class, missing two face to face class will be deemed excessive and without extenuating
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circumstance with documentation, students will be dropped from the course due to lack of 60% activity
time.
IMPORTANT COLLEGE POLICY REGARDING COURSE DROP-ADD PERIOD AND AUDIT INFORMATION
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/#drop
FEDERAL GUIDELINES RELATED TO FINANCIAL AID AND TOTAL WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/#finaid.
Evaluation
process:
Grading
scale:
Sentences Glosses
10
Chapter Quizzes
10
Group Project
10
Definitions
10
Written/Final Test
20
Research Article Summaries
20
Homework/Discussion
20
A = 91-100
B = 81-90
C = 71-80
D = 61-70
F = less than 60
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/#expectations
Written Work/Assignments:
* All work is due on the date specified on the schedule. You may have one late
pass for which your work will not be considered late. You must notify the instructor and title your late
assignment with "free late pass" added in the drop box. All other late work will automatically count as
50% off the grade.
* Missed in-class assignments cannot be made up but can be submitted for a 50% grade.
* Written work and assignments should include your name; date assignment is due
and class title.
* Failure to revise an assignment or post a late assignment within one week from the posted grade will
result in zero points for that assignment.
* Plagiarism or cheating in any form will result in an automatic "F" for the given assignment. A second
occurrence will result in departmental documentation to be shared college wide.
Written Work/Assignments: All work is due on the date specified on the schedule. It is due at the
beginning of the class period or online not later than 11:59 pm. Late work will not be accepted past the
next class period of a missed class without a 50% reduction in grade. Written work and assignments
should include your name, date assignment is due, and class title. In class assignments may not be made
up. In class work may not be made up.
Classroom Courtesy:
Students are expected to conduct conversation in the classroom using American Sign Language. If you
must enter the classroom after class has begun, please do so as quietly as possible. Exercise techniques
used in Deaf Culture for interruption. Because American Sign Language is a visual-gestural language, it is
best learned in a voiceless environment. You are expected to use only sign/fingerspelling and are
discouraged from using your voices in the classroom. Please make use of techniques for getting the
meaning across rather than attempting to make us of voice if there is a misunderstanding in meaning.
The curriculum and the lessons are designed to help the class and the program meet the five areas of
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Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities outlined by the American Council
on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Use this space here to write down contact information from at least three classmates. And, please, if
you must miss a class, please do not contact me and ask if you missed anything in class; YOU DID! Ask
your classmates what you missed.
Contact 1: _______________________________
Contact 2:________________________________
Contact 3:________________________________
Contact 4:________________________________
Class
calendar:
Week of:
Assignments:
Week of:
Assignment:
8/18
Introduction to the course; Requirements; Discussion on
defining language. Informal receptive and expressive measure.
8/25
Reading assignment: Cokely: Ch. 1& 2 What is Language?
What is ASL? (pp. 31-45; 47-61)
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 1: Introduction: Defining
Language and Defining Linguistics
(pp. 1–15)
In class discussion: Language Files 1.1–1.4 (pp.205–241)
VLOG # 1 Due
Module 1 (8/25)
9/1
Cokely: Ch. 4 Sign Formation and Variation (pp. 79-101);
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 2: Phonology (pp. 21–54);
In class homework assignment (pp. 26, # 1–4; 27 #1–4)
Article Summary # 1 Due
Module 2 (Due 9/1)
9/8
Cokely: Ch. 5 Sign Types (pp. 103-120);
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 3: Morphology (pp. 57–82)
In class discussion: Language Files 5.1–5.4 (pp. 342–347)
Select group projects
Module 3 (9/8)
9/15
Cokely: Ch. 6 Sentence Types (pp. 121-164)
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 4: Syntax
(pp. 89–119)
Sentence Glosses in Class Assignment
Definitions #1 DUE 9/15
Module 4 (9/15)
9/22
Group work
Cokely : Ch. 7 Time (pp. 175-194);
Ch. 8 Pronominalization (pp. 205-236);
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 4: Syntax:
(pp. 120–133):
Sentence Gloss #1 Due
Module 5 (9/22)
5
9/29
Cokely: Ch. 9 Subject/Object (pp. 247-275)
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: (pp.133–147)
Article Summary # 2 Due (2/24)
Module 6 (9/29)
10/6
Group Projects
Vlog 2
Self Analysis and Rating Due (10/6)
10/13
Cokely: Ch. 10 Classifiers/Locatives (pp. 287-350)
Valli, Lucas, Mulrooney, Villanueva Part 5: (pp. 151-161)
In class discussion: “Semantics: The Analysis of Meaning”; pp.431-458
Module 7 (10/13)
10/20 *All
College Day!
*All College Day – No classes
10/27
Cokely: Ch. 12 Plurals (pp. 361-388); Ch. 13 Temporal Aspects
(pp. 401-415);
Ch. 14 Distributional Aspects
(pp. 427-434)
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 5: (pp. 163-168)
Definitions # 2 DUE 10/27
Module 8 (10/27)
11/3
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 6 (pp. 171-186)
Sentence Gloss #2 in class
Module 9 (11/3)
11/10
Cokely: Ch. 3 (pp. 63-73)
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 6 (pp. 187-194)
In class discussion: “Language Contact and the American
Deaf Community”
pp. 542-564
In class analysis of writings/Language Attitudes Activity
Module 10 (11/10)
11/17
Valli, Lucas & Mulrooney, Villanueva: Part 6 (pp. 195-201)
VLOG # 3 Due
Metaphor in American Sign Language
Supplemental reading (handouts)
Heart of the Hydrogen Jukebox
Module 11 (11/17)
11/24-
Thanksgiving Holiday
12/1
Heart of the Hydrogen Jukebox
ASL Personal Story
12/8
Final Exam (optional objective) 1:00-2:50
Important
Dates:
COLLEGE CALENDAR http://www.spcollege.edu/calendar/
* Dates/assignments may change at the discretion of the instructor
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Important College Calendar
Dates:
http://www.spcollege.edu/calendar/
Class
policies:
Academic Honesty
http://www.spcollege.edu/academichonesty/
Classroom Protocol:
Class discussion periods will be conducted in an orderly fashion. If a student must enter the classroom
after class has begun, please do so as quietly as possible. If a student has a disagreement with an
instructor on a particular graded exercise or exam question, please see the instructor after class.
Because American Sign Language is a visual-gestural language, it is best learned in a
voiceless environment. Students are expected to use only sign/fingerspelling and are discouraged from
using their voices in the classroom.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/#expectations
ONLINE STUDENT PARTICIPATION AND CONDUCT GUIDELINES
http://www.spcollege.edu/central/asa/addendum.htm#onlineguide
CAMPUS SAFETY AND SECURITY
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/#safety
SEXUAL PREDATOR INFORMATION
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/#predatorinfo
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/#accommodations
Assignments &
Test
details:
This course will be conducted in a blended format, demonstration, seminar, class discussion, student
presentation and hands-on activities will occur in class. Text assignments, exercises, required readings
and other assigned outside readings will support the class discussion and will occur on D2L. Students will
be held responsible for all material discussed.
1. Students will team in a collaborative effort to research and present a group project falling into one of
three areas of study:
A. Language Development and Deafness
B. Phonological and/or Morphological Processes in ASL
C. Sociolinguistic Aspects of the Deaf Community
D. Universal characteristics of signed languages
E. ASL Literature
Students will develop a researched perspective of their topic as approved by the instructor.
The project will be presented to the class using Power Point and will include appropriate handouts, audiovisual aids or other supplemental materials. The project will be evaluated on presentation and delivery,
content accuracy, support materials, development of theory and application of the research. Members
will reflect in writing on their own efforts and the contribution of team members to the project.
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2. Each student will be responsible for writing two 1-2 page summaries of relevant
research articles from referred journals, i.e. Sign Language Studies, Journal of Deaf
Studies and Deaf Education, American Annals of the Deaf. These articles may be
used as references for the case study research project. Articles are available in D2L
and are to be formatted in APA format.
3. Each student will complete two Definitions Assignments to identify vocabulary,
terminology and concepts covered in the course. These definitions will be uploaded
to a D2L drop box. The definitions should be thorough and applied to ASL.
4. Each student will be responsible for completing Sentence Gloss exercises.
These assignments will be in class assignments. A tutorial also exists in D2L.
5. Each student will be responsible for weekly quizzes and discussion forum postings provided in the D2L
modules; other unannounced quizzes may be used to reinforce material being presented and discussed.
6. Students will be responsible for three Video Blogs. Instructions will be distributed
in class. It is expected that these blogs will recorded through a webcam following media protocol.
7. Student teams will be responsible for preparing and presenting supplemental
reading presentations in class on a weekly basis.
8. The Final Exam will consist of a take-home five page essay; two options exist for
the content. There will also be an optional objective test for those who need it.
More about this will be discussed in class.
9. Additional assignments may be given at the discretion of the instructor.
Other
notes:
ASL Transferability:
ASL (1140C and 1150C) is recognized as a Foreign Language by many colleges and universities in Florida
and the other forty-nine states and territories. While this language is generally accepted as an admission
requirement at Florida’s public universities, some university departments require a working knowledge of
an auditory/oral/written language as a graduation requirement. Please check with the department chair
of the program in which you wish to enroll to determine if American Sign Language credits can be
counted toward graduation.
IMPORTANT COLLEGE POLICY REGARDING COURSE DROP-ADD PERIOD AND AUDIT INFORMATION
http://www.spcollege.edu/central/asa/addendum.htm#drop
Resources
available:
Other Sources of Information related to ASL 1300
ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and
Linguistics (ASL links)
http://www.cal.org/ericcll/faqs/RGOs/asl.html
Signing Savvy
https://www.signingsavvy.com
Deaf Studies Digital Journal
http://dsdj.gallaudet.edu/
Glossary of Linguistic Terms
http://www.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/contents.htm
ASLized
http://aslized.org/
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