American Sign Language, Levels 1, AM 145
CLASS SYLLABUS –SPRING 2015
REVISED –JANUARY 12, 2015
INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Frank
CONTACT INFO: Email: cindy.frank@wnc.edu
or deafstudies@wnc.edu
(this should be used for general question about the program)
PHONE: (775)445-4274
OFFICE: Cedar building, room 108
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment
CLASS INFO : Tuesday / Thursday 11am – 12:15pm / CED 108
PREREQUISITE: None
CREDITS : 3
TRANSFERABILITY OF COURSE WITHIN NEVADA:
This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the system of Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For more information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor.
COURSE DESCRIPTION : This first tier in American Sign Language is the basic Introduction to American Sign Language. The course will cover basic interpersonal communication skills in
American Sign Language. Cultural, Linguistic and pragmatic aspects of the Deaf Community will also be discussed.
REQUIRED TEXT/MATERIALS:
1.
A Basic Course in American Sign Language, Humphries - 2nd Edition
2.
A Basic Course in American Sign Language, (Student Study Guide), Humphries
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: ASL Dictionary
GRADING:
Mid Term:
Final Examination:
Attendance
Participation:
150 points
200 points
10 points for each class
30 points for each class
Assignments / Activities
Quizzes
Notebook & Workbook:
Homework
20-50 points depending on assignment
30 points
10 points when checked periodically
10-50 points depending on assignment
Grades will be calculated according to WNC policy:
A: 100%-91% B: 90%-81% C: 80%-71% D: 70%-61% F: 60% and below

THE 4 GOLDEN RULES OF OUR ENVIRONMENT:
 BE COURTEOUS TO ALL IN THE CLASSROOM: We all will become vulnerable in this course. We are all in the same boat. Absolutely NO criticisms, yelling, arguing, swearing…We give ONLY positive feedback. Listen to your classmates and their suggestions. You don’t have to agree with them, just understand their perspectives. We stretch, change and grow by learning from diversity. These behaviors will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave for the remainder of the class. If this behavior continues, you will be asked to withdraw from the class. Remember this quote from
Maya Angelou:
“PEOPLE WILL NOT REMEMBER WHAT YOU SAID OR DID.
PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.”
 You should not have any items obstructing your view or the instructors view. All purse, backpacks, laptops… should be placed under your table so all have access to your signing. This is also true for anything that is placed on your head.
 Please make sure that your cell phones are not heard or seen. By this I mean, make sure they are turned off or on vibrate and put away. If I see or hear them, you will lose all participation points for that day. CONSIDER THIS YOUR WARNING!
If there is an emergency, let me know and we will make arrangements.
This also goes for ANY type of handheld item; games, iPods, laptops… Remember the cardinal rule of ASL; EYE GAZE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT!
If you are not watching the person signing, you are missing something.
Other good behaviors to remember:
 Try to relax in class; learning involves hard work and effort, but it should be fun!!
 YOU ARE responsible for your own learning. As in other parts in life, what you put into it is what you will draw out of it.
Other important information:
 Mid-term progress reports are required for all faculty to submit. They will be accessible on my.wnc.edu All passing grades are reflected as a “C” for the course; not a reflection of your current course GPA.
 For a full refund of your class(es), you have until January 26th to drop that class.
 The LAST day to withdraw from a class is March 27 th
with a “W”
 February 16 th President’s Day – College Closed
 March 2 nd
: Last day to apply for Spring 2015 Graduation
 March 16-20 Spring Break – NO classes but college is open
 Finals week starts May 18th
EXPLANATION OF GRADING:
 ATTENDANCE: To succeed in learning a visual and hands-on language, attendance is very vital. Sometimes arriving late is impossible to avoid, but consistently arriving late is not fair to the other students. If you miss class, you are responsible for all material covered and announcements made in your absence.
 You are allowed to miss 4 classes. If you miss 5 classes you will be asked to withdraw or you will receive an F.

You will be given 10 points for each class. Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class. If you are more than fifteen minutes late, it is your responsibility to make sure you are marked present and receive any important announcements, from your classmates, as this will be done at the beginning of class; you will also
NOT receive any attendance points for that class. Also, please plan to stay for the whole class. If you leave early, you will lose half of your points for that class.

 PARTICIPATION: You will be working together in small groups and partners as well as class discussions and activities. We will be using DVD’s, books, magazines and other selected material to focus on both expressive skills and receptive skills. While working together, you will be asked to give feedback to those you are working with.
 You will be given 30 points for each class. If you are not participating, including but not limited to, talking with other students during activities, not paying attention when others students are signing, using your cell phone… you may receive partial credit for the class, or none at all. These points CAN NOT be made up and are vital to your overall grade.
 Group discussions elevate everybody’s learning. There is no such thing as a
“dumb” question. Rest assured, many others have the same question.
 ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments (readings, quizzes, activities, partner work…) will be given periodically as a means for you to become more comfortable with your signing.
You may also have various assignments that need to be completed at home and other inclass activities.
 NOTEBOOK / WORKBOOK: You will be required to have a notebook that will continue through the entire semester. This notebook should have any assignments, activities, tests/quizzes, note, handouts etc. that have been used in class for reference. I will periodically be checking these along with your ABC Book: Student Guide
 QUIZZES: We will have quizzes throughout the semester. The purposes of these quizzes are to make sure that you understand what we have discussed and learned in class.
 HOMEWORK: You will be given assignments to do at home that will follow-up with what we are doing/discussing in class. These should be kept in your notebook.
 MID-TERM: The mid-term examination will include all information covered in the book, class discussions, videotapes, and hand-outs from the beginning of the semester till the mid-term testing date.
 FINAL EXAM: Your final exam will be COMPREHENSIVE, covering everything from the beginning of the semester till the day of the final.
 The Mid-term and final will be two parts; one written and one performance. More information will be explained in class.
*THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP TESTS WITHOUT PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS
BETWEEN THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT.
*If you have a school-related activity (softball, financial aid, student government…) please see me ASAP to make arrangements PRIOR to the event. No make-up work will be permitted if you approach me after the event/absence.*

MOVIES: During the semester, I may show movies to help you broaden your horizon of Deaf
Culture/Deaf History. The purpose of these is to show you a different perspective or to help explain things more clearly. Some of these may contain adult content. If you feel uncomfortable or are offended by this, please let me know and you will be given an alternative assignment.
GUEST SPEAKERS/SIGNERS: As with any language, learning is acquired from many sources, not just one teacher. From time to time, we may have guest speakers/signers in class.
Also, some of the other ASL teachers may pop in and teach a lesson, just to expose you to different styles of signing. English spoken Nevada does not sound the same as English spoken on the east coast, and the same is true of signing; everyone has a different style, “accent” We ask that you treat everyone with the utmost respect and courtesy and follow all expectations laid out in this syllabus.
WESTERN NEVADA POLICIES: Students are expected to abide by the policies set forth on the student handbook at all times. Copies of the student handbook may be obtained from Student
Center.
CLASS CANCELLATIONS: In the event of a class cancellation, I will make every effort to notify you in a timely manner. However, there may be a time when an emergency happens and I am unable to notify you myself. If I am unable to call you personally, an e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address provided when you registered so please have your correct information in the
WNC system. Before each class, especially if there is inclement weather or the teacher has been ill; it is highly recommended that you check your e-mail before leaving for class.
PLAGIARISM/CHEATING POLICY: Plagiarism and/or cheating will earn you a 0 for that assignment/test and possible failure in the class...so just don’t do it.
STATEMENT OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: I expect all students to conduct themselves ethically. This includes, but is not limited to, other students, visitors and instructor. Do unto other as you would like to be done to you! : )
ACCOUNTABILITY: Be sure to save all work that I return to you during the semester. If there is a discrepancy, you will want to be able to prove your case. If you need something clarified or explained, I will be happy to meet with you outside of class.
FERPA: FERPA is the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. I cannot share any information about a student’s academic progress with anyone other than the student or staff at
Western Nevada College that need to know. FERPA also applies to those who are under 18 and attending college courses, meaning that the instructor cannot discuss any academic progress with parents or guardians. Please do not have any one other than yourself contact me regarding your college experience.
COURSE COMMENT: Linguistic research demonstrates that ASL is comparable in complexity and expressiveness to all other spoken language. IT IS NOT A FORM OF
ENGLISH. ASL has its own distinct grammar structure, which must be mastered in the same way as the grammar of any other language. ASL differs from spoken language in that it is a
VISUAL, “3-D” language.

***I encourage any student needing to request accommodations for a specific disability to please meet with me privately to ensure your success. You will also need to contact the Disability
Support Services office (Bristlecone building, Room 103) at 445-3266 or 445-3267 as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See also procedures under “Resources” on page 51.
***Instructor has the right to adjust syllabus as needed***

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN TO INSTRUCTOR BY MONDAY JANUARY 26, 2015
Agreement between Instructor & Student
Course Name: _________________________________ Semester: ___________________
I affirm that I have read and understand the entire course syllabus. I am aware that this syllabus explains how my grade in the course will be determined and provides an explanation of my instructor’s expectations. In addition, I understand that as a student at this institution, I am expected to follow guidelines for academic integrity and civility as established in the documents and policies of this institution (see pages 3-19 of Student Handbook and/or Academic and
Student Affairs policy 3-4-5 on Academic Integrity in addition to Principals of Community as established by the president’s office)
Signed: _______________________________________ Date: _____________________
Print name: ___________________________________