TROY UNIVERSITY
DISTANCE LEARNING
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I
ASL 1141
COURSE SYLLABUS
9 week course
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Instructor: Jean Kelly, online faculty member
Contact Phone: 619-540-3725 (Emergency only)
Troy email: jkelly67462@troy.edu
NOTE: For Course Syllabus posted prior to the beginning of the term, the Course Instructor
reserves the right to make changes prior to or during the term. The Course Instructor will notify
students, via e-mail or Blackboard Announcement, when changes are made in the requirements
and/or grading of the course.
INSTRUCTOR EDUCATION:
MA – Organizational Leadership, Chapman University, Orange, California
BA – Speech Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
AA – Sign Language Interpreting, Mesa Community College, San Diego, California
Credentials in Interpreting:
CSC – Comprehensive Skills Certificate
CT – Certificate of Transliterating
TEXTBOOK(S) AND/OR OTHER MATERIALS NEEDED: Required:
Signing Naturally Student Workbook, Units 1-6, Student DVD and Workbook Smith,
Lenz, & Mikos. , ISBN-978-1-58121-210-5
Logitech Webcam C260. or more advance Logitech model. SKU #1103981. But it must
be a Logitech. Other webcams and built in web cams may not be sufficient to follow
sign language and the requirements of this class.GoReact, Speakwords, Inc. Latest Edition. ISBN 1-61165-016-X
Supplemental Readings – Internet links and other sources as referenced in subject modules or
class lectures.
The textbook provider for the Troy online of Troy University is MBS Direct. The Web
site for textbook purchases is http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/troy.htm.
Page 1 of 11
Students should have their textbook from the first week of class. Not having your textbook will
not be an acceptable excuse for late work. Students who add this course late should refer to the
“Late Registration” section for further guidance.
LATE REGISTRATION:
Students who register during the first week of the term, during late registration, will already be
one week behind. Students who fall into this category are expected to catch up with all of Week
#1 and Week #2's work by the end of Week #2. No exceptions, since two weeks constitutes a
significant percentage of the term's lessons. Students who do not feel they can meet this deadline
should not enroll in the class. If they have registered, they should see their registrar, academic
adviser, GoArmyEd/eArmyU representative, or Military Education officer to discuss their
options.
Also note that late registration may mean you do not receive your book in time to make up the
work you missed in Week #1. Not having your book on the first day of class is not an excuse for
late work after the deadlines in the Schedule.
PREREQUISITES/ ENTRANCE COMPETENCIES:
Students are expected to be proficient with English grammar and writing skills.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:
Students must have:
• A TROY e-mail account that you can access on a regular basis (see "TROY e-mail"
above)
• E-mail software capable of sending and receiving attached files.
• Quick Time Player/Real Player or Media Player
• Adobe Player
• A Logitech Web Cam or any Web Cam that is 30 fps or higher
• Microphone system on computer or on the Logitech WebCam
• DVD player
• Access to the Internet with a 56.9 kb modem or better.
• A personal computer capable of running Netscape Navigator 7.0 or above, Internet
Explorer 6.0 or above, or current versions of Firefox or Mozilla. Students who use older
browser versions will have compatibility problems with Blackboard.
• Microsoft WORD software. (I cannot grade anything I cannot open. This means
NO MS-Works, NO Wordpad, NO Wordperfect).
• Virus protection software, installed and active, to prevent the spread of viruses via the
Internet and email. It should be continually updated!
Internet Access:
• This is an online class. Students must have access to a working computer and access to
the Internet. Students can use the TROY computer lab, a public library, etc. to insure they
have access.
Page 2 of 11
•
Not having a computer, computer problems, computer crashes, lose of Internet and/or
lose of electricity are not acceptable excuses for late work. Students are expected to have
a back-up plan in case any of these occur.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT INFORMATION:
If technical problems are experienced, contact the Blackboard Online Support Center. There are
two ways to do this.
1. Log-in the course and look at the tabs at the top of the page. One is entitled Tech
Support. Click on this tab and the information below will appear. Click on the
Blackboard Support Center link and receive assistance. If log-in to the course is denied,
contact the center by calling toll free the number listed below. Assistance is available 24
hours a day/7 days per week.
Blackboard Online Support Center for Troy University provides Customer Care Technicians
who are available to support you 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Call 1-888-383-6206 for live assistance If technical difficulties with coursework are
experienced or features in Blackboard are generating errors, click the link below.
Blackboard Support: http://supportcenteronline.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=67
STUDENT EXPECTATION STATEMENT:
• Completion of scheduled assignments and examinations will be used to monitor
participation in the course.
• All assignments are to be submitted to the Course Instructor in Blackboard by the due
dates. LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
• Incomplete assignments will be subject to deduction in points.
• No assignment will be accepted after the last day of class. No additional
assignments will be given for extra credit.
• Students are expected to have a back-up plan in case of operational difficulties with the
computer, lose of electricity, loss of Internet, etc. These are not excuses for submitting
assignments late or not at all.
• Students are expected to read all sections in the Blackboard website for this course before
beginning work on the assignments as well as to visit this site at least once every 24
hours.
• Students are expected to check Troy University e-mail daily and respond within 24 hours.
• Details regarding each assignment may be found under the Weekly Assignments button
on the Menu side. Students are expected to follow these instructions and deadlines.
• Students are encouraged to post questions to the Instructor in the Questions for the
Instructor section in the Discussion Board. If students need one-on-one, they are
encouraged to contact the Course Instructor via email.
• Students are expected to devote at least 8 to 12 hours per week to the assignments.
• Participation in scheduled assignments and examinations is required and subject to
deduction in points if incomplete or incorrect.
• CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Page 3 of 11
This is the initial course in the four-course sign language developmental sequence which exposes
students to the grammatical, syntactical, and lexical proficiencies in American Sign Language at
a survival level and is designated for students who have had no previous knowledge of sign
language.
PURPOSE (COURSE OBJECTIVES):
The student will be able to:
• identify and produce targeted vocabulary;
• execute correct sign production in the four parameters;
• formulate appropriate communication strategies;
• apply ASL grammatical principles;
• produce signed communication at a survival level.
Language & Cultural Field Experiences
During the course of the term, students are expected to participate in at least 12 hours of
language and cultural observations to augment the coursework.
2-6 hours hours: There will be assigned hours during regular class assignments to work
with Troy’s Deaf mentor. You may meet with and count your time plus an extra hour.
The other hours will be:
A minimum of 1 hour, but up to 10 hours of interactions out in the Deaf community or
with a Deaf person. There will be events posted that you can attend. You are required to do at
least one hour.
Additional hours can be made up by watching and commenting on ASL Vlogs, watching
movies about Deafness and interpreting events. If you cannot get more than one hour interacting
or attending a signed/Deaf community event, you may watch 2 Vlogs for every hour you need.
These hours are actual observation and participation times and do not include travel times. Ecampus students who may not be able to participate in on-campus events, the student will be
responsible to develop contacts in a geographically proximal area and to inform the instructor in
the third week of the term of the plan to acquire the hours.
ELECTRONIC OFFICE HOURS:
I am available by e-mail at any time, or by phone by appointment. Students can post questions or
request a chat session in the Course Questions and Answers section in the discussion forum in
Blackboard. I check that forum daily during the weekdays, but for more immediate and personal
assistance, you should contact me via e-mail. I will respond to student email messages with 24 to
48 hours on weekdays and 72 hours on weekends.
USEFUL WEBSITES FOR THIS COURSE
See the External Links and Course Information buttons on the left menu of the Bb site.
DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES AT TROY UNIVERSITY:
All Troy online courses at Troy University utilize Blackboard Learning Management System. In
every Troy online course, students should read all information presented in the Blackboard
course site and should check for updates at least every 24 hours.
Page 4 of 11
SITE MAP FOR BLACKBOARD COURSE :
Click on the “Course Map” link on the left to see all of the course areas at once.
TROY EMAIL:
All students were required to obtain and use the TROY e-mail address that is automatically
assigned to them as TROY students. All official correspondence (including bills, statements, emails from instructors and grades, etc.) will be sent ONLY to the troy.edu (@troy.edu) address.
•
All students are responsible for ensuring that the correct e-mail address is listed in
Blackboard by the beginning of Week #1. It is your responsibility to make sure a valid email address is provided. Failure on your part to do so can result in your missing important
information that could affect your grade.
Your troy.edu e-mail address is the same as your Web Express user ID following by @troy.edu.
Students are responsible for the information that is sent to their TROY e-mail account. You can
get to your e-mail account by logging onto the course and clicking “E-mail Login”. You will be
able to forward your TROY e-mail to your eArmy e-mail account. You must first access your
TROY e-mail account through the TROY e-mail link found on the Web site. After you log in to
your TROY e-mail account, click on “options” on the left hand side of the page. Then click on
“forwarding.” This will enable you to set up the e-mail address to which you will forward your
e-mail.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Please refer to the Method of Instruction and Evaluation and Course Schedule sections of this
Course Syllabus.
STUDENT/FACULTY INTERACTION:
• Interaction will take place via e-mail, telephone (in case of emergency), Discussion
Board, webcam on Blackboard IM, and comments on graded assignments under the
Weekly Assignments button in Blackboard.
• The student will participate in this course by following the guidelines set forth in this
Course Syllabus and any additional information provided by the Course Instructor, the
Troy online Center at Troy University, or Troy University itself.
• Students are expected to remain in regular contact with the Course Instructor and class
via Blackboard through participation in the Discussion Board and submitting of
assignments and examinations, all in a timely fashion.
• The Course Instructor will communicate on the Blackboard Announcement page,
Discussion Board, comments on graded assignments under the Weekly Assignments
button in Blackboard, and/or e-mail.
• E-mail, Blackboard IM, or Skype will be used for one-on-one instructor-student
conferencing.
• Blackboard will be used for students’ deliveries of Weekly Assignments and
Exams/Quizzes.
• The Course Instructor will check e-mails daily and will respond to e-mails containing
questions, comments, and concerns within 24 to 48 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on
weekends.
Page 5 of 11
•
•
•
•
The Course Instructor will check Blackboard daily and will respond to postings (weekly
assignments, examinations, projects) within 72 hours of receiving.
Students are encouraged to use the Discussion Board feature on Blackboard to ask
questions and/or make comments that pertain to this course. This approach will allow all
students to benefit from this information.
Grades on all assignments will be posted in the Blackboard Gradebook.
Comments on graded assignments will be posted with the graded assignment under the
Weekly Assignments button in Blackboard.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students will confirm their attendance the first week through the discussion board titled
Confirming Attendance and must include all items listed under the assignment found under
Week 1. Although physical class meetings are not part of this course, participation in all
learning activities is required. The class week begins on Mondays at 12:00 a.m. and ends on
Sundays at 11:59 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
NON-HARASSMENT, HOSTILE WORK/CLASS ENVIRONMENT:
Troy University expects students to treat fellow students, their Course Instructors, other TROY
faculty, and staff as adults and with respect. No form of hostile environment or harassment will
be tolerated by any student or employee.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA):
Troy University supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With
Disabilities Act of 1990, which insure that postsecondary students with disabilities have equal
access to all academic programs, physical access to all buildings, facilities and events, and are
not discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligible students, with appropriate
documentation, will be provided equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills and
potential through the provision of academic adaptations and reasonable accommodations. Further
information, including appropriate contact information, can be found at the following link:
http://www.troy.edu/academics/aop/documents/AOP_08-01-07-09.pdf
HONESTY AND PLAGIARISM :
The awarding of a university degree attests that an individual has demonstrated mastery of a
significant body of knowledge and skills of substantive value to society. Any type of dishonesty
in securing those credentials invites serious sanctions, up to and including suspension and
expulsion (see Standard of Conduct in each TROY Catalog). Examples of dishonesty include
actual or attempted cheating, plagiarism*, or knowingly furnishing false information to any
university employee.
*Plagiarism is defined as submitting anything for credit in one course that has already been
submitted for credit in another course, or copying any part of someone else’s intellectual work –
their ideas and/or words – published or unpublished, including that of other students, and
portraying it as one’s own. Proper quoting, using strict APA formatting, is required, as described
by the Course Instructor. All students are required to read the material at: Writing Center
• Students must properly cite any quoted material. No term paper, business plan, term
project, case analysis, or assignment may have no more than 20% of its content quoted
Page 6 of 11
•
from another source. Students who need assistance in learning to paraphrase should ask
the Course Instructor for guidance and consult the links at the Troy Writing Center.
This university employs plagiarism-detection software, through which all written
student assignments are processed for comparison with material published in traditional
sources (books, journals, magazines), on the Internet (to include essays for sale), and
papers turned in by students in the same and other classes in this and all previous terms.
The penalty for plagiarism may range from zero credit on the assignment, to zero in the
course, to expulsion from the university with appropriate notation in the student’s
permanent file.
LIBRARY SUPPORT:
The Libraries of Troy University provide access to materials and services that support the
academic programs. The address of the Library Website is https://troy.library.edu. This site
provides access to the resources of all Campus and Regional Libraries, as well as to resources
such as the Library’s Catalog and Databases. Additionally, the Library can be accessed by
choosing the Library link from the University’s home page at www.troy.edu or through the
eLibrary tab within Blackboard.
FACULTY EVALUATION:
In the eighth week of each term, students will be notified of the requirement to fill out a Course
Evaluation Form. These evaluations are completely anonymous and are online. Further
information may be posted in the Announcements section in Blackboard.
HOW TO LEARN ONLINE:
Troy University Troy online is designed to serve any student, anywhere in the world, who has
access to the Internet. All Troy online courses are delivered through the Blackboard Learning
System. Blackboard helps to better simulate the traditional classroom experience with features
such as Virtual Chat, Discussion Boards, and other presentation and organizational forums.
In order to be successful in this online course, you must:
• Be organized and motivated. This course requires at least 8-12 hours of work each week.
Find a quiet place to work and devote the time which is required to be successful.
• Read the Course Syllabus thoroughly and frequently. Print a copy of it, post it where you
can see it and comply.
• Log-in your course on Blackboard each day of each week and participate.
• Check all Announcements that have been posted each day.
• Start early in the week to complete the Weekly Assignments.
• Begin reviewing for the examination early in the term. Do not wait until the last minute
and cram for these examinations. You should review the material frequently, so you will
be prepared to take the examination.
• Comply to schedules, instructions and deadlines on each assignment. If you do not
understand an assignment, contact the Course Instructor for assistance prior to the
deadline for the assignment.
• Go into graded assignment, under Weekly Assignment or Exams/Quizzes, and read
comments from the Course Instructor.
• Check your Troy e-mails daily and respond within 24 hours.
Page 7 of 11
TROY ONLINE:
The Troy online Center at Troy University is here to serve you and assist with any questions,
problems or concerns you may have. For assistance go to www.troy.edu/Troy online or send an
e-mail to troyTroy online@troy.edu. Please do not hesitate to contact the Troy online staff if you
need administrative assistance for any reason.
MAKE-UP WORK POLICY:
Missing any part of this Course Schedule may prevent completion of the course. If a student
foresees difficulty of any type (i.e., an illness, employment change, etc.) which may prevent
completion of this course, s/he must notify the Course Instructor prior to deadlines for
assignments. Failure to do so will result in failure for an assignment and/or failure of the course.
See Attendance.
If the Course Instructor has not heard from you by the deadline dates for assignments,
examinations, or forums, deduction in points for tardy and/or incomplete work will occur. No
make-up work for additional points will be allowed. Requests for extensions must be made in
advance of deadlines and accompanied by appropriate written documentation (such as proof of
hospitalization) if the excuse is to be acceptable to the Course Instructor. Computer problems
and/or not having the textbook are not acceptable excuses. No assignment will be accepted after
the last day of the term unless the student qualifies for an Incomplete Grade, has submitted
necessary paperwork, and has been approved for an Incomplete Grade.
INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY:
Missing any part of the Course Schedule may prevent completion of the course. If circumstances
will prevent the student from completing the course by the end of the term, the student should
complete a request for an incomplete grade.
Note: A grade of incomplete or “INC” is not automatically assigned to students, but rather must
be requested by the student by submitting a Petition for and Work to Remove an Incomplete
Grade Form. Requests for an incomplete grade must be made on or before the date of the final
assignment or test of the term. The form will not be available after the last day of the term. A
grade of “INC” does not replace an “F” and will not be awarded for excessive absences. An
“INC” will only be awarded to student presenting a valid case for the inability to complete
coursework by the conclusion of the term. It is ultimately the instructor’s decision to grant or
deny a request for an incomplete grade, subject to the policy rules below.
Policy/Rules for granting an Incomplete (INC)
•
•
An incomplete cannot be issued without a request from the student.
To qualify for an incomplete, the student must:
a. Have completed over 50% of the course material and have a documented reason for
requesting the incomplete. (50% means all assignments/exams up to and including
the mid-term point, test, and/or assignments.)
b. Be passing the course at the time of their request.
If both of the above criteria are not met an incomplete cannot be granted.
Page 8 of 11
•
An INC is not a substitute for an F. If a student has earned an “F” by not submitting all the
work or by receiving an overall F average, then the F stands.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
This is an Troy online class. It is not a “correspondence course” in which a student may work at
his/her own pace. Each week there will be assignments, on-line discussions, and/or
exams with due dates. Refer to the schedule at the end of this syllabus for more
information.
ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES:
Grades for all assignments will be posted in the Gradebook found in Blackboard. Comments on
graded assignments can be found on the graded assignment under the Weekly Assignments and
Exams/Quizzes buttons in Blackboard for this class. An “!” in a grade place indicates the
assignment has not been graded. No assignment will be accepted after the last day of class. No
extra work will be given for extra credit.
Grades are based on your work and is weighted towards your ability to sign and interact
with the Deaf community and your fellow students.
30 % - Assignments. This area includes your work signing with other students and the language
mentor. Failing to work with other students will make it difficult to pass the class.
15 % - Discussion Board. This are includes weekly assignments, setting up your Blackboard
account, and meeting me on Blackboard IM.
15 % - Tests. This area includes your first signed recording, your weekly quizzes and the
multiple choice final.
15 % - Signed Mid-term
15 % - Signed Final
10 % - Journal. This is your interaction paper due at the end of the term.
FA
Indicates the student failed due to attendance. This grade will be given to any student
who disappears from the course for three or more weeks. See the Attendance section of this
Course Syllabus for additional information.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION AND EVALUATION:
This is a distance learning class. It is not a correspondence course in which students may work
at his/her own pace. Each week there will be assignments, online learning activities, and/or
examinations with due dates. This course requires at least 12-15 hours of work each week.
• Course Participation Confirmation—Students are required to post on the Discussion
Board during Week One and confirm participation in this course.
• Students are required to keep track of which assignments are due and when they are due.
• Students are to have access to and utilize, according to the Course Instructor’s
instructions, the technology listed in this syllabus.
Page 9 of 11
COURSE SCHEDULE: (Subject to Change)
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Unit 1:1 - 1:5 Introducing Oneself Part 1
Confirm Attendance
Sign Up for Blackboard IM
Watch the DVD from the book to see how signs are produced
Natural gestures and Discussion board posting
Units 1:2, 1:3 Quizzes
Meet your instructor on Blackboard IM
Unit 1:6 – Introducing Oneself Part 2
DB – Posting your work with fellow classmates on first signing (POP) activity
DB - See and Draw
Set up meeting with your Language Mentor for Week 3
Unit 1:6, Unit 1:7, Unit 1:8 Quizzes
Meet your instructor on Blackboard IM if you did not last week
Unit 2:1 - 2:6 - Exchanging Personal Information Part 1
DB - Deaf Stories and History
POP #1 - Introducing Yourself
POP #2 - Ask Me a Question
POPing with Language Mentor (LM) - Introducing yourself
Unit 2:2, Unit 2:6 Quizzes
Unit 2:7-2:12 – Exchanging Personal Information Part 2
DB – ASL and Deaf Culture
Do POP #1 - Spelling Bee
Do POP #2 - Names and Tidbits
Your first recording on GoReact
POPing with LM - practice your mid-term
Unit 2:7, Unit 2:9, Unit 2:10 Quizzes
Unit 3 - Telling Where
DB – ASL Structure
POP #1 - My Two Friend
POP #2 - Mini Dialogues and Narrative
POPing with LM
Unit 3:8, Unit 3:15 Quizzes
Unit 4 – Talking about Family
DB - My Deaf Family
Mid-term Signing presentation on GoReact
POP #1 - Meet My Family
POP #2 - Meet my Brothers and Sisters
POPing with LM - Meet My Family
Unit 4:3 - Write the Number
Unit 4:7 - How Old?
Unit 5:1- 5:5 - Telling About Activities Part 1
DB - Deaf Music
POP #1 - Who, What, When
POP #2 – When Did You Do It?
Page 10 of 11
Week 8
Week 9
POPing with LM- Who, What, When
Unit 5:2, Unit 5:4 Quizzes
Unit 5:6 – 5:9 – Telling about Activities Part 2
DB – Talk on the Phone
POP #1 - My Life Story
POP #2 – Out Of The Ordinary
POPing with LM - My Life Story
Unit 5:6 Quizzes
Unit 6 – Storytelling
DB – Welcome to Silence
DB - Signer vs Interpreter
POP – Tell Me a Joke
ASL 1 Multiple Choice Final
Expressive Final – My Life Story
Make up POPs with the Language Mentor
Turn in your interactions if you have not done so before this
Page 11 of 11