Lake-Sumter State College
Course Syllabus
Course / Prefix
Number
CRN:
ASL 2140
10768
Term Date Range
American Sign Language I
Credit:
4
Term:
Withdraw Deadline
November 2, 2015 by
4:30 pm
August 24December 5
Course Catalog
Description:
Course Title
Fall; T & Th 9:30-11:20
Dates Credit Classes Do Not
Meet
Thurs, 11/26
Introduction to American Sign Language with emphasis on vocabulary
used by Deaf adults. Includes introduction to history and culture of
deafness in America and linguistic structure and conceptual
vocabulary of conversational (expressive and receptive) sign language
skills. Describes various manual communication systems and
philosophies.
Kathy Hamilton
Contact
Information:
HamiltoK@lssc.edu
Office Hours:
By appointment only.
Please email:
HamiltoK@lssc.edu
Instructor:
Office
Location:
Adjunct
All students are required to use Lakehawk Mail for official college e-mail
communications.
See the college webpage for instructions on activating Lakehawk Mail.
Prerequisites:
Co-requisites:
None
Textbook and Other
Course Materials:
Signing Naturally Student Workbook Units 1-6 (with DVD) Smith, Lentz, Mikos
ISBN 978-1-58121-210-5 (We will focus on UNITS 1-4)
Technology and
Online Computer
Access
Requirements:
Blackboard and email is used as communication tools to relay important
announcements, testing information, homework, class documents, resources
and more. Also necessary is a You Tube account or flash drive and access to
video recording equipment for recorded performances. Video equipment may
be borrowed from The Learning Center.
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Course Objectives:
(what the course will
do)
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Student Learning
Outcomes (SLOs)
Assessed in this
Course:
(what the students
take with them
beyond this course)
Academic Integrity:
Demonstrate knowledge of the two different perspectives of
understanding deafness
Demonstrate knowledge of various methods of signing
Demonstrate competency producing grammatically correct ASL
sentence types
Demonstrate basic fluency in receptive and expressive sign production
of numbers
Demonstrate basic fluency in receptive and expressive sign production
of the manual alphabet
Demonstrate basic fluency in receptive and expressive sign production
of limited number of fingerspelled loan signs
Demonstrate proper use of space in ASL
Demonstrate knowledge of the history of American sign language
Demonstrate knowledge of ASL classifiers through recognizing
classifiers used in signed narratives
Demonstrate basic mastery and receptive and expressive vocabulary
presented
Demonstrate basic mastery of personal, possessive, honorific, and
dual-personal ASL pronouns
Demonstrate basic mastery of correct verb usage
Demonstrate correct facial expression for adverb, adjective, verb,
emotive, and grammatical inflections
Demonstrate proper use of “time signs” and modals to indicate verb
inflection
Demonstrate proper use of differentiated “pairs” of ASL vocabulary
A. The learner will assimilate beginner level ASL using vocabulary, grammar,
non-manual signals, fingerspelling and numbers.
B. The learner will employ the target language to execute beginning level
ASL syntax, including non-manual signals and mouth morphemes.
C. The learner will examine basic issues relevant to the Deaf Community.
The successful functioning of the academic community demands honesty,
which is the basis of respect for both ideas and persons. In the academic
community, there is an ongoing assumption of academic integrity at all levels.
There is the expectation that work will be independently thoughtful and
responsible as to its sources of information and inspiration. Honesty is an
appropriate consideration in other ways as well, including but not limited to
the responsible use of library resources, responsible conduct in examinations,
and the responsible use of the Internet. (See college catalog for complete
statement.)
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Important
Information for
Students with
Disabilities:
Privacy Policy
(FERPA):
Any student with a documented disability who requires assistance or
academic accommodations should contact the Office for Students with
Disabilities immediately to discuss eligibility. The Office for Students with
Disabilities (OSD) is located on the Leesburg Campus, but arrangements can
be made to meet with a student on any campus. An appointment can be made
by calling 352-365-3589 and specific information about the OSD and potential
services can be found at www.lssc.edu, then go to “Quick Links” and click on
Disability Services.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34
CFR Part99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s education
records. In order for your information to be released, a form must be signed
and in your records located in the Admissions/Registrar’s Office.
“NO SHOW” STATUS
Class attendance is required beginning with the first class meeting. If you do
not attend the first class meeting, you may be withdrawn from the class as a
“no show.” If you are withdrawn as a “no show,” you will be financially
responsible for the class and a “W” will appear on your transcript for the
course.
ATTENDANCE/MAKE-UP POLICY
The nature of this course makes attendance and participation mandatory. .
Attendance /
Withdrawal Policies:
1. You are allowed 3 absences without penalty.
2. After 3 absences, your grade will drop 10% for each additional absence
(i.e.: 4 = -10%, 5 = -20%, 6 = -30%, 7 = -40%).
3. After 7 absences you will be WITHDRAWN from the course for
excessive absences. A failing (F) grade will NOT be given – do NOT
ask!
4. No makeup homework, tests, or quizzes.
Points will be deducted from your 100 point participation grade if you
are absent (-3/absence), tardy or leave early (-2/tardy or leave early).
***THIS MEANS ABSENCES COUNT AGAINST YOU IN TWO WAYS!!!!***
3
Your final grade is determined as follows:
Methods of
Evaluation:
Grading Scale:
Course Calendar:
Intro Exam
Homework
Unit Quizzes
Deaf Event
Participation
Final Exam
50
80
600
100
100
200
Minus:
Lowest Test
Lowest Sent
100
40
TOTAL
990
100-90
A
89-80
B
79-70
C
69-60
D
59 or below F
See Attached
ASL ZONE: ASL is a visual/gestural language; you will need to develop
communication skills of which you are not accustomed: using one's hands,
face, body, eyes and space. In order to progress, it is important that students
become comfortable using their bodies and "listening" with their eyes and to
begin thinking in ASL rather than their native language. To encourage and
foster the development of these skills, the professor will be voice-off for parts
of class time. There will always be a power point displaying the information
that is being signed. As the semester progresses and your skills increase, the
professor will increase the amount signed in class and decrease voicing.
Classroom Rules
and Policies:
RESPONSIBILITIES
Professor Responsibilities and Approach to Learning
Professors serve as facilitators for learning. I commit the following to you:
 I will review email messages on a regular basis, except on weekends. I
will respond within 24 hours, but if you have not received an email
response within 48 hours, please send a follow-up message.
 I have an ethical obligation to follow the printed policies of Lake Sumter
State College to maintain a fair and consistent learning environment for
every student and enforce the university’s standard of academic
integrity.
 I will grade assignments, quizzes, and tests in a timely manner and
provide the appropriate feed.
 I will provide detailed feedback on Unit 1 quizzes and tests to support
future test preparation. I will provide answers only for the remaining
Unit 2 – 4 quizzes and tests.
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I will use the Announcement function in Blackboard to regularly
communicate and provide additional resources and information as they
become available. All announcements are sent as emails to your LSSC
address.
I encourage appointments to discuss class progress.
Student Responsibilities
 To get the most benefit from this course, students need to actively
participate and be engaged during class. THIS MEANS NO TEXTING OR
PLAYING WITH CELL PHONES! Students also need to participate via
Blackboard when necessary.
 Students are expected to arrive to class on time, remain present and
engaged throughout the duration of the class and bring the supplies
necessary to participate in classroom activities.
 Students will be responsible for any and all information provided via the
syllabus, posted or sent through the Blackboard course, any and all
email communications, and LSSC’s webpage. Students should be selfreliant for seeking answers provided through these resources.
 Students can expect responses to emails within 48 hours (M-F,
business hours). Email is the appropriate way to contact the professor
about private questions related to the class. For general questions,
students should use the appropriate discussion forum in Blackboard
and any and all students should feel free to respond with suggestions
or answers.
 Students are responsible for remembering due dates (without
reminders) and completing all work on time and per course policies. All
due dates are clearly provided in this syllabus. Late assignments will
NOT be accepted (printing the “Course Assignment/Tracker” page will
help you keep up with assignment deadlines).
 Students should plan ahead and submit work early so as to not miss a
due date. I encourage you to submit work at least 1-2 days before the
due date. This will account for any technical, personal, health, or
family issues, and submitting early leaves plenty of time to email me
and get a submission issue resolved in time to receive credit.
 Carefully attend to all Class Policies listed in this syllabus.
 For your benefit, think and work ahead through the various tools
provided for each unit in Blackboard. In addition, read this syllabus
carefully during the first week.
Assignments: All assignments with a scheduled date, including any testing
materials, and/or projects, are to be turned-in or e-mailed to the instructor on
the due date by 11:59. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTE ALL DUE DATES FROM THE
SYLLABUS AND BLACKBOARD. NO LATE WORK is accepted.
Exam/Test/Quiz Make-up Policy: There will be no make-up tests or exams.
However, the lowest test grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
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Homework: You are expected to complete the homework assignments
through Blackboard. Follow the assigned Unit sections using the text and
DVD. Each class builds on the homework material thereby building mastery
and confidence in applying the target language. ABSENCES ARE NOT A VALID
EXCUSE FOR NOT KEEPING WITH SCHEDULED WEEKLY UNIT DVD PRACTICES AND
READINGS. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE WEBPAGE FOR THE HOMEWORK
MISSED AND TO COME TO CLASS PREPARED.
Violence Statement:
Syllabus Disclaimer:
Final Exam: The final exam will be cumulative and test your Receptive skills. It
will also address history, grammar and Deaf Culture.
Lake-Sumter State College has a policy of zero tolerance for violence as
stated in College Board Rule 2.17. Appropriate disciplinary action will be
taken in accordance with Board Rule 2.17.
Information contained in this syllabus is, to the best knowledge of this
instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed to the student.
The instructor reserves the right, acting within policies and procedures of
Lake-Sumter State College, to make necessary changes in course content or
instructional techniques without prior notice or obligation to the student.
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COURSE ASSIGNMENT/TRACKER
Intro Quiz
ASSIGNMENT
DUE
9/3
POINTS POSSIBLE
50
Unit 1 HW*
Unit 1 FS QZ
Unit 1 SENT QZ
Unit 1 TEST
9/21
9/22
9/22
9/22
20
10
40
100
Unit 2 HW*
Unit 2 FS QZ
Unit 2 SENT QZ
Unit 2 TEST
10/7
10/8
10/8
10/8
20
10
40
100
Unit 3 HW*
Unit 3 FS QZ
Unit 3 SENT
Unit 3 VOCAB QZ
Unit 3 TEST
10/26
10/27
10/27
10/27
10/27
20
10
10
30
100
Unit 4 HW*
Unit 4 FS QZ
Unit 4 SENT QZ
Unit 4 EXAM
11/16
11/17
11/17
11/17
20
10
40
100
ASL/Deaf Event
12/3
100
Participation
12/3
100
Final Exam
12/10
200
TOTAL POINTS
1,130
Lowest Sent Quiz (not
Unit 3)
Lowest Test
POINTS EARNED
-
FINAL GRADE
/990
IF YOU HAD 4 OR MORE ABSENCES, COMPLETE THE NEXT CALCULATION! ALSO, FACTOR IN TARDIES/LEFT EARLY!
FINAL PERCENTAGE =
(my points/990)
% =
(10% for each abs after 3)
(final percent)
*NOTE: HOMEWORK IS DUE BY 11:59 PM ON DUE DATE STATED
7
(letter grade)
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
WELCOME TO ASL
Tue, 8/25
Introductions
Syllabus & Grading
Thur, 8/27
Intro to ASL and Culture
Tue, 9/1
Fingerspelling Intro
Fingerspelling Practice
Thur, 9/3
Fingerspelling Practice
Intro Quiz
UNIT 4
MON, 11/2
WITHDRAW DEADLINE
Tue, 11/3
Unit 4: Talking About
Family
Thur, 11/5
Unit 4 Cont.
Tue, 11/10
Unit 4 Cont.
UNIT 1
UNIT 2
Tue, 9/8
Unit 1: The Basics
Thur, 9/24
Unit 2: Exchanging Personal
Information
Thur, 9/10
Unit 1: Introducing Oneself
Tue, 9/29
Unit 2 Cont.
Tue, 9/15
Unit 1 Continued
Thur, 10/1
Unit 2 Cont.
Thur, 9/17
Unit 1 Review
HW DUE MON, 9/21
Tue, 10/6
Unit 2 Cont.
HW DUE WED, 10/7
Tue, 9/22
Unit 1 FS Quiz, Vocab Quiz
& Unit Exam
Thur, 10/8
Unit 2 Review
Unit 2 FS Quiz, Vocab Quiz
& Unit Exam
REVIEW
INDEPTH CULTURE
ANALYSIS
Thur, 12/3
REVIEW for Exit Exam
DEAF EVENT DUE
Thur, 11/19
Audism Unveiled
Tue, 11/24
Audism Unveiled con’t and
discussion
Thur, 11/26
NO CLASS
Tue, 12/1
Through Deaf Eyes
Thur, 11/12
Unit 4 Review
HW DUE MON, 11/16
Tue, 11/17
Unit 4 FS Quiz, Vocab Quiz
& Unit Exam
8
UNIT 3
Tue, 10/13
Unit 3: Discussing Living
Situations
Thur, 10/15
Unit 3 Cont.
Tue, 10/20
Unit 3 Cont.
Thur, 10/22
Unit 3 Cont.
HW DUE MON, 10/26
Tue, 10/27
Unit 3 FS Quiz, Vocab Quiz
& Unit Exam
EXIT EXAM
12/10 8:00-9:55 am
Final Exam
Acknowledgement of Syllabus
I, ___________________________________ hereby acknowledge that I have read and understand
the syllabus for CRN ____________. I accept the terms stated and understand that the
syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the professor.
______ (initial) I undertand the attendance policy
______ (initial) I undertand the Homework and late work policy
_________________________________________________
Signature
Date
9