American Sign Language I
SGNL 2311E
Beginning American Sign Language
Contact Information and Office Hours –
Instructor: Traci Gorsuch Prather
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling: Texas Tech University 2005
BEI certified ASL interpreter Level I 1999
Bachelor of Art English: West Texas A&M University 1991
American Sign Language certified teacher
Email: tprather@canyonisd.net
Office Phone/Office Hours: I do not have an office on campus. If you need to contact
me by phone during the day you may do so at (urgent calls only) (806) 677-2740
ext. 1564. It will go to voice mail if I am teaching class. Leave a message and I
will call you back as soon as possible. After 4:00 pm you may reach me at my
cell phone (806) 679-2049.
Syllabus Purpose: This syllabus sets forth the policies, procedures, materials and
assignments for this course.
Required Texts and Materials –
Zinza, Jason E. Master ASL! Level I. 6th ed. Burtonsville, MD: Sign Media, Inc, 2006.
(This is a packet that includes the hardback text, the Student Companion, a
separate, soft-cover book focusing on developing fingerspelling, numbers, and
glossing skills, and DVD.) ISBN 1-881133-20-6.
Moore, Matthew and Levitan, Linda. For Hearing People Only. 3rd ed. Rochester, NY:
Deaf Life Press. 2003. ISBN 0-9634-016-3-7.
Course Description –
This introductory course to American Sign Language (ASL) includes finger spelling,
vocabulary, basic sentence structure, history, Deaf culture, current trends, principles of
linguistics and grammatical structures. Basic expressive skills using the manual
alphabet, numbers, and signs prepare the student to communicate on a basic level with
deaf individuals.
Syllabus
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Purpose and Goals of the Course: ASL as a Language
The purpose of this course is to introduce learners to fundamentals of American Sign
Language.
The goals of this course are: the ability to express basic concepts using ASL, compare
and contrast some aspects of Deaf Culture, and explain the basic linguistic
components of ASL. It is a visual language and it has its own grammatical rules
and semantics.
ASL is primarily used by deaf and hard of hearing Americans and Canadians. In
addition, ASL is used by:
• hearing children of deaf parents;
• hearing siblings and relatives of the deaf and
• hearing adults who are becoming deaf and are learning ASL from other deaf
individuals. Additionally, a growing population of hearing, second language
students are learning ASL in the elementary, secondary and post-secondary
classrooms.
ASL is deeply rooted in the Deaf Community and Culture. Early sign language was
already in use in Colonial America, notably in Martha’s Vineyard, an island off the
Massachusetts coast where many deaf people once lived. In 1817, Laurent Clerc, the
first deaf teacher in America came from Paris, France to Hartford, Connecticut, with
Thomas Gallaudet to set up the first school for the deaf. He used French Sign
Language (FSL) in his teachings, which lead to the standardization of early American
Sign Language into modern American Sign Language. The folklore, the history of Deaf
people and cultural values are expressed and preserved through ASL.
Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes –
The students in this course will:
Learning Outcome 1: demonstrate the ability to present and comprehend information
presented in American Sign Language based on Master ASL! Units 1-5. Topics
include: introducing oneself, exchanging personal information, talking about
surroundings, telling where you live, talking about your family and telling about
activities.
Learning Outcome 2: demonstrate the ability to EXPRESS information in American Sign
Language based on Master ASL! Units 1-5 Topics include: introducing oneself,
exchanging personal information, talking about surroundings, telling where you
live, talking about your family, and telling about activities.
Learning Outcome 3: learn the differences and similarities of cultural norms and
behaviors of people who are deaf based upon interaction with the local deaf
community and For Hearing People Only.
Learning Outcome 4: learn the linguistic components of American Sign Language based
on Master ASL!
Syllabus
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Course Requirements and Evaluation –
There are a total of six assessments: three unit exams (Units 1-3), deaf contact time,
class participation and the final exam.
Unit Exams: (3) Comprehensive assessments covering material from the Unit studied.
These exams are given in two sections. One section is receptive (vocabulary, numbers,
fingerspelling and sentences) and the other section is a written format regarding ASL
grammar, Deaf culture and its community. The content from Units 4 and 5 will be not
tested on a Unit Exam. It will be included on the final exam.
(100 points per exam) 300 points total
Deaf Time Log (community Interaction/conversation): There will be activities in the
local Deaf community that students are encouraged to attend to begin conversational
skills with a deaf person and exposure to the Deaf culture/community. Students attend
10 hours of “Deaf Time”. A log sheet is provided with this syllabus to record contact
hours. Information regarding the meeting time and places for this activity will be
provided as the semester progresses.
100 points.
Class Participation: ASL is a visual and participatory language. Students are
expected to participate and show their progress in class. You will be assigned a
participation grade for each class meeting. If you fail to attend, a grade will not be
assigned for that day. A signup sheet will be made available at the beginning of each
class. You must sign the sheet to verify your attendance. The signatures will be verified
during class. Do not ask someone to sign for you in your absence. If you are unable to
attend a class, please contact me ahead of time.
70 points (5 points per class meeting)
Final Exam: A written, comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of the
semester during the regularly scheduled final exam time. The exam will cover key
concepts discussed during the semester specifically from Master ASL! Units 1-5 and
selected chapters (1-65) from For Hearing People Only. The exams will be given as
scheduled unless the college is closed due to bad weather. In the event that classes
are cancelled, the exam will be given at the next scheduled class period. The final exam
will not exceed two and one-half hours.
100 points
Grade Computation: Your final grade for this course is based on the 3 unit exams, the
final exam, the Deaf Log, and class participation (14 class meetings not counting the
final exam taken in week 15). A maximum total of 570 points can be earned in this
course.
Assessments % of Final Grade
Unit Exams 50%
Final Exam 20%
Deaf Time Log 20%
Class Participation 10%
Syllabus
Grading Scale passed on Points Earned
A = 470 - 421.5
B = 421 – 372.5
C = 372 – 323.5
D = 323 – 247.5
F = 247 and below
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Policies and Responsibilities –
Cell phones and pagers: Please keep cell phones in the off or silent position. If a
family emergency is imminent, please let the instructor know before class. You will be
allowed then to put your phone on “vibrate” mode.
Texting: Texting is not allowed during class.
Food and beverages: Due to the length of class, snacks are permitted.
Academic IntegrityAll work must be completed individually unless otherwise stated. Commission of any of
the following acts shall constitute scholastic dishonesty: acquiring or providing
information for any assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source;
informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the
exam is given in any subsequent sections of the course or as a makeup; plagiarism;
submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for two courses unless
expressly authorized by the instructor to do so. For more information, see the Code of
Student Life 1.
Acceptable Student Behavior –
Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class
or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (Code of Student
Life). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students engaging in
unacceptable behavior may be instructed to leave the classroom. Inappropriate
behavior may result in disciplinary action or referral to the University’s Behavioral
Intervention Team. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including
electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc.
ADA Statement –
West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all
qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal,
state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable
accommodations as required to afford an equal educational opportunity. It is the
student's responsibility to register with Student Disability Services 2 (SDS) and to contact
faculty members in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations. Contact
Information: Student Success Center, CC 106; phone (806) 651-2335.
Syllabus
Page 4 of 8
Evacuation Statement –
If you receive notice to evacuate the building, please evacuate promptly but in an
orderly manner. Evacuation routes are posted in various locations indicating all exits,
outside assemble area, location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations and
emergency telephone numbers (651-5000 or 911). In the event an evacuation is
necessary: evacuate immediately do not use elevators; take all personal belongings
with you; report to outside assembly area and wait for further information; students
needing assistance in the evacuation process should bring this to the attention of the
instructor at the beginning of the semester.
Tentative Class Schedule
Class Meeting
Date
Syllabus
Assignment
Topics to be
Covered
Week 1
Intro to ASL I
Unit 1
Unit 1 Objectives:
*To learn proper greetings
and farewells in ASL
*To introduce yourself
and others
*To learn basic ASL
sentence structure
*To ask and answer
questions
*To learn how to interact
appropriately with Deaf
people
*To learn the role of facial
expression and NMS
Week 2
Unit 1
Week 3
Unit 1
Week 4
Test Unit 1
Begin Unit 2
Week 5
Unit 2
Week 6
Unit 2
Unit 2 Objectives:
*To ask for help and
clarification in ASL
*To engage in basic
conversation on a variety
of topics
*To understand the
cultural view of deafness
*To improve familiarity
with ASL grammar and
structure
*To learn and apply WHsigns and facial
expression
*To understand iconic and
non-iconic signs
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Week 7
Test Unit 2
Begin Unit 3
Week 8
Spring Break
Week 9
Unit 3
Week 10
Test Unit 3
Begin Unit 4
Week 11
Unit 4
Week 12
Unit 4 and Unit 5
Week 13
Unit 5
Week 14
Complete Unit 5
Semester test review
Units 4 and 5
For Hearing People
Only
Final exam
Week 15
Week 16
Syllabus
*To expand ASL skills
and topics of conversation
Unit 3 Objectives:
*To understand topiccomment structure
*To incorporate numbers
in conversation
*To understand how ASL
name signs are made
*To use possessive signs
and deixis appropriately
*To talk about favorites
Unit 4 Objectives:
*To recognize and use
gender distinction in ASL
*To understand and use
contrastive structure
*To gain exposure to Deaf
art
*To sign about family,
friends and relationships
*To use pronoun signs
appropriately
Unit 5 Objectives:
*To improve
conversational skills
*To sign about school and
school life
*To identify and use the
Agent Marker
appropriately
*To understand
contemporary Deaf
education options
*To understand and use
classifiers
*To tell time and sign
about time related issues
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This schedule is subject to change due to changes and scheduling activities, deaf
events, guest speakers and weather. You will be responsible for keeping up with the
DVD in the Master ASL and the readings in For Hearing People Only.
Syllabus
Page 7 of 8
Deaf time log
You must have 10 hours of Deaf contact time. Document correctly and don’t forget to
get information to attach to the form! You may use a Ziploc bag to collect and turn in on
the night of the final exam.
Event
Date
Signature of person of authority
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Total hours:
1
2
http://www.wtamu.edu/webres/File/Student%20Life/Web-2012-2013-Code-of-Student-Life.pdf
http://www.wtamu.edu/student-support/disability-services.aspx
Syllabus
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