Ranger College
Syllabus for SGNL 1401
American Sign Language: Beginning I
INSTRUCTOR: Laura Landry
EMAIL ADDRESS: llandry@rangercollege.edu
OFFICE: e-mail or call 325-203-2866
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the basic skills in production and comprehension of American Sign
Language (ASL). Includes the manual alphabet and numbers. Develops conversational
ability, culturally appropriate behaviors, and exposes students to ASL grammar. This
course will require time outside of class to practice.
REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS:
1) Master ASL! Level 1. Zinsa, J. Sign Media, 2006. Textbook and student workbook.
3) Access to email/Internet is required
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
A) Vocabulary Development
1. Given a set of targeted vocabulary items drawn from Units 1 – 6 of Signing
Naturally and videos, students will demonstrate comprehensive mastery of
vocabulary items.
2. Grammatical Features
3. The student will demonstrate comprehensive mastery of target, content-specific
commands, questions, and statements in ASL.
4. The student will be exposed to short dialogue in ASL as directed by the
instructor.
5. Conversational Skills
6. The student will demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating
behaviors.
7. The student will demonstrate comprehension and production of regulating
behaviors (i.e. attention getting techniques, turn taking signals, and others)
8. The student will demonstrate the ability to initiate, conduct and terminate a short
content-specific conversation.
9. Cultural Awareness
10. The student will read/see information on Deaf Americans, ASL, and its history.
11. The student will attend social functions/events at which members of the Deaf
community are present.
1. Class Attendance and Participation:
Class attendance and participation is worth 2 points daily. Points begin to be counted
on August 29. The total points for attendance and participation comes to 50 points.
No points are earned on exam days.
You should plan to attend class regularly; in as much as the material covered in
class and participation in class discussion are vital to your performance in this
course. It is your responsibility to check Blackboard periodically throughout the
semester.
It’s crucial to maintain your attendance. Students cannot expect to pass this
course with knowledge of the information in the workbook only.
Three tardies will equal to one absence in the class.
The instructor will withdraw any student who is absent three consecutive classes.
This equates to 8 hours of instruction and would put you too far behind if you
miss more than this.
Please inform me if you have an exceptional circumstance that causes you to
miss class.
All students will be encouraged to participate in class discussions and activities on a
regular basis. “Participation” does not mean giving “right” answers. It means thinking
about the material, sharing your thoughts, paying attention, and giving your best effort.
Students who are not participating in class discussions or volunteering information
pertinent to class activities will not receive full points. The 50 points are not given to
students they must earn the points.
No Voice/English Mouthing Policy: Avoid voicing or English mouthing during class
time when possible. If you own a pager, or cell phone, please turn it off during class.
The skills to be developed in the class depend on visual perception and memory. Use of
auditory stimuli discourages this learning process for both the person talking and other
students in the class. The students will experience cross-cultural interaction between
Deaf and hearing people. It is important that student recognize and respect culture.
2. Self-Video Assignment (100pts):
You will be given time to practice your signing skills before actually recording your work.
Do the self-video outside of the class time. It is imperative that you review your work
BEFORE the class on the due date. Treat your work as you would with your essay for
your English class, which means proofread your paper before turning in, and the same
goes for your self-video assignments! Specifications of each assignment will be
discussed in class.
3. Movie Quizzes: (100 points) – Two separate quizzes based on “Children of a Lesser
God” and “See What I’m Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary”, which are worth
50 points each. TBA
4. ASL Lab: (100 points) – You will need to attend the lab at least 20 hours during the
semester. You are strongly encouraged to use your time wisely. You will be expected to
complete the units in the lab workbook.
5. Quizzes:(anywhere from 2 – 10 quizzes = 50 points) – Some quizzes will be
announced in class and some will be “pop” quizzes. You may not make up any quizzes
you miss – if you miss the quiz, you will get a zero. The quizzes will be based mainly on
the ability to comprehend ASL, and cultural information.
6. Sign a Song:(100 points)
You will choose a song that you want to sign and present it to the class. TBA
7. Midterm(200 points) – The midterm will cover both the receptive (comprehension)
and written portions. The first portion is worth 100 points, and the written portion is worth
100 points. The comprehension portion covers all material presented to that point of the
class, Units 1-4, class lectures, videotapes, and other pertinent information. There will be
no make-up of the midterm except under circumstances I deem to be extreme or
unique.
8. Final (300 points total) – The final exam focus on expressive and comprehension
portions. Cumulative in nature; it will include comprehension and production, information
from the workbook, videotapes shown in and out of class, vocabulary videotape, class
assignments and discussions. As you can see, a large part of your grade will depend on
the final. There will be no make-up of the final except under circumstances I deem to be
extreme or unique.
COURSE POLICIES:
You are responsible for knowing the policies and procedures below. You can pick up a
copy of the Student Handbook at a counseling office at any campus or access it online
from our web page www.rangercollege.edu. Please take special note of the following:
Policies on Academic Dishonesty, Prohibited Acts, and Student Discipline Policy.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations:
Refer to the student handbook at www.rangercollege.edu. Please let me know in writing
how I can accommodate my class to your needs.
Withdrawal Policy
You will be withdrawn automatically if you miss 3 consecutive classes. Refer to the
student handbook (www.rangercollege.edu) for the withdrawal policy under other
circumstances. If you have a very unique or extreme situation, please discuss it with
me.
Incompletes
Incompletes will be given only under very unique or extreme circumstances.
Important Information
Please feel free to call, email or write me notes about any questions or concerns you
may have. You may also request to meet with me by appointment.
COURSE GRADING SYSTEM:
Your grade will be evaluated regularly on your receptive skills and at the end of
the semester on your expressive skills. You will also be evaluated on your
preparation for class activities and your assignments outside of the class.
1. Class Attendance/Participation 50
2. Self-Video 100
3. Two Movie Video Quizzes 100
4. ASL Lab (20 hours) 100
5. 100
6. Quizzes 50
7. Midterm Exam #1 -- written100
Midterm Exam #2 – comprehension/100
8. Final Exam #1 – expressive300
Final Exam #2 – comprehension100
TOTAL =
1000 points
READINGS
REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS:
1) 1) Master ASL! Level 1. Zinsa, J. Sign Media, 2006. Textbook and student
workbook.
COURSE SUBJECTS
Introduction to the basic skills in production and comprehension of American Sign
Language (ASL). Includes the manual alphabet and numbers. Develops conversational
ability, culturally appropriate behaviors and exposes students to ASL grammar. Course
requires significant time outside of class. This course is equivalent to SLNG 1404.
STUDENT LEARNING
OUTCOMES/LEARNING OBJECTIVES
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Vocabulary Development
1. Given a set of targeted vocabulary items drawn from Units 1 – 6 of Signing
Naturally and videos, students will demonstrate comprehensive mastery of
vocabulary items.
2. Grammatical Features
3. The student will demonstrate comprehensive mastery of target, content-specific
commands, questions, and statements in ASL.
4. The student will be exposed to short dialogue in ASL as directed by the
instructor.
5. Conversational Skills
6. The student will demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating
behaviors.
7. The student will demonstrate comprehension and production of regulating
behaviors (i.e. attention getting techniques, turn taking signals, and others)
8. The student will demonstrate the ability to initiate, conduct and terminate a short
content-specific conversation.
9. Cultural Awareness
10. The student will read/see information on Deaf Americans, ASL, and its history.
11. The student will attend social functions/events at which members of the Deaf
community are present.