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American Sign Language II
Beginning ASL Spring 2013
IDS 2312E
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
Course Name: Beginning ASL II IDS 2312E
Time: Monday 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dates: January 14, 2013 to May 6, 2013
Classroom: 129 Fine Arts complex
Lecture: 3 Hours
Semester Credit Hours: 3
Pre-requisite: American Sign Language I
Description of Course: Expansion to the introduction to American Sign Language I, it
will covering finger spelling, build on the foundation of previously learned vocabulary,
and expand basic sentence structure to complex sentence structure in preparing
individuals to communicate on a basic level with Deaf individuals.
Textbooks: Master ASL ! Author: Jason Zinza (Hardback book, Fingerspelling book
and DVD) Units 6-10.
ISBN # 1-881133-20-6
For Hearing People Only. 3rd Edition. Authors: Matthew Moore and Linda Levitan
ISBN# 0-9634-016-3-7
Purpose and Goals of the Course:
ASL as a Language
American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the most widely used languages in the United
States.
ASL is primarily used by Deaf and hard of hearing Americans and Canadians. In
addition, ASL is used by: 1) hearing children of deaf parents; 2) hearing siblings and
relatives of the Deaf and 3) hearing adults who are becoming deaf and are learning ASL
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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 a visual language. It has its own grammatical rules and semantics.
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 Island 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.
Learning Outcome 1: The student will demonstrate the ability to present and
comprehend information presented in American Sign Language based on Master ASL!
Units 6-10. Topics include: sports and activities, daily routines, tense, descriptions of
people and the natural world, geographic and local community, making plans, food,
animals and classifiers.
Learning Outcome 2: The student will demonstrate the ability to EXPRESS in
information in American Sign Language based on Master ASL! Units 1-10. Topics
include: sports and activities, daily routines, tense, descriptions of people and the natural
world, geographic and local community, making plans, food, animals and classifiers.
Learning Outcome 3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of cultural norms
and behaviors of people who are Deaf based upon interaction with the local deaf
community, the curriculum Master ASL! and For Hearing People Only.
Learning Outcome 4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the linguistic
components of American Sign Language based on Master ASL! This section specifically
will be targeting the five parameters of ASL, thus resulting in understanding the linguists
and grammatical structure of ASL.
Assignments:
There are a total of six assignments. Three unit tests (Units 6, 7 and 8), deaf contact
time, expressive assignment and a final exam (Units 6 -10).
Unit Exams: (3) They are a comprehensive assessment covering material from the Unit
studied. These exams are given in two parts. One section is receptive (vocabulary,
numbers, finger spelling and sentences) and the other section; students will be assessed
on the learned material regarding ASL grammar, culture and the Deaf community.
100 points.
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Due to time constraints, Units 9 and 10 will be not tested individually, but will be on the
final exam.
Expressive Assignment: The student will express to the class in ASL a story that will be
a comprehensive work that will demonstrate their learned material over that semester.
The topic is a story that will cover the geographical vocabulary (Units 3, 9). Who went
with them? (Units 2, 4, 8) What did they do? (Units 3, 5, 6, 10) They will have to
include, experiences with people, animals, food, geography, cultures, emotions and
descriptive use of classifiers, NMS and use of space (units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8,10). When
did they go? (Units 2, 6, 7). 100 points
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 6-10 and
selected chapters (65-130) 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. A written,
comprehensive final exam is not to exceed two and one-half hours in length. 100 points
Deaf community Interaction/conversation: There will be activities in the Deaf
community that you will be encouraged to attend to begin your conversational skills with
a Deaf person and exposure to the Deaf culture/community. You will have to attend 10
hours of “Deaf Time”. I will provide you a log sheet to record your hours. I will provide
you the information regarding the meeting time and places as the semester progresses.
100 points.
Attendance: MANDATORY! There will be a sign in sheet at the door when you
arrive. For each class you miss, five points will be deducted from your final grade. 100
points. If you are attending a West Texas A&M University event or function, please
provide the necessary information for the excused absence.
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Grade Computation:
Final grades for this course will be based on the components above and will be calculated
as follows:
90-100
89-80
79-70
69-60
59-0
A
B
C
D
F
Cell phones and pagers: Please keep your cell phones in the off position. If you have a
family emergency, please let me know before class and you will be able to put it on
vibrate mode. NO TEXTING!!!
Office hours: I do not have an office on campus. You may contact me by email during
the day. tprather@canyonisd.net. If you need to contact me by phone during the day you
may contact me at CHS (emergency only) 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 you may reach me at my home. 656-0936 or cell phone 679-2049.
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2013 Spring Schedule for ASL II
IDS 2311 E
1/14/2013: Introduction ASL II /Review of Units 1-5
1/21/2013: Unit 6
1/28/2013: Unit 6
2/04/2013: Test Unit 6
2/11/2013: Unit 7
2/18/2013: Unit 7
3/04/2013: Test Unit 7/Start Unit 8
3/11/2013: Spring Break NO CLASS
3/18/2013: Unit 8
3/25/2013: Unit 8
4/01/2013: Expressive Assignment due!
4/08/2013: Unit 8 Test/start Unit 9
4/15/2013: Unit 9
4/22/2013: Unit 10
4/29/2013: Unit 10/Review for Semester test
5/06/2013: Semester test/Deaf contact due
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Deaf contact time opportunities
*Facebook:
like Amarillo Deaf
They update the site every day for activities happening in the deaf community.
*Paramount Baptist Deaf Church
Sunday service: 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday service: 7:00 p.m.
*St. Mary’s Deaf Mass
Sunday mass: 12:00 p.m.
*Deaf coffee chats
Every Thursday at Roasters coffee on Georgia St. Amarillo 7:00 to 10:00
*ASL Tutoring
Every Wednesday at Roasters coffee on Georgia St. Amarillo 7:00 to 10:00
*Art walk at the Sunset Center
First Friday of the month at 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Many deaf go, to eat, look at the art and
socialize.
*Amarillo Civic Center performances
During the spring the plays, musicals and various performances are interpreted for the
Deaf audience. Will update as soon as dates are confirmed.
As the year progresses, events are added.
You will have to provide proof of attendance. If it is a personal friend, family or class, I
need the contact name and phone number to confirm.