Baylor University
American Sign Language I
CSD 1405-02
Semester/Year:
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Fall 2011
Ms. Beckham
M/W 8:30 – 10:00
12:30 – 2:00
3:30 – 5:00
F
9:00 – 10:00
1:00 – 3:00
Office: Neill Morris Hall Rm. 216
Phone: 710-4746
Email:
Camille_Beckham@baylor.edu
Class hours: MW 10:10 – 11:00 a.m.
TR
9:30 – 10:20 a.m.
Students are strongly encouraged to make appointments during office hours.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) as a
second language for adults. Students will begin to develop expressive and receptive language skills
including fingerspelling, numbers, basic conversational language and grammar. An introduction to the
Deaf Community and Deaf Culture will be presented throughout the semester.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Signing Naturally (Units 1-6), Student Workbook and DVD by Ella Mae Lentz, Ken Mikos and
Cheri Smith.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
CSD Departmental Homework DVDs, set of 4, to be purchased from Larry Umberger: $8.00
*Please pay with cash and bring EXACT change.
EVALUATION: Grades will be based on student performance in the following areas:
Homework/Participation/Quiz grades
Test One
Test Two
Interviews
Comprehensive Final Exam
10%
20%
25%
15%
30%
Sept. 15th
Nov. 3rd
Dec. 12*
*The final exam will be on Monday, December, 12th from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
QUIZZES: We will have random, unannounced quizzes at the beginning of many classes.
Quizzes will cover information found in texts, presented in class, student video, workbook,
department DVD, and/or class discussions. Make-up quizzes are not permitted.
HOMEWORK: It is HIGHLY recommended that students review the homework DVDs with the
correct answers since tests and quizzes will look very much like your homework exercises. No late
homework will be accepted.
A NOTE ABOUT THE DVD AND STUDENT WORKBOOK: The student is expected to
completely master the information in each unit of the DVD/workbook and departmental DVD. In order
to do this, each video segment should be viewed several times and all corresponding activities should be
completed. This material WILL appear on quizzes and tests.
If you find yourself struggling in class, PLEASE see me ASAP. We have a list of tutors available who
can help you. I can give you ideas and suggestions for reviewing the material and improving your
performance, but I can’t help you if you don’t come see me. Please don’t wait until it’s too late. You do
not want to fall behind in this class. Catching up is very difficult to do due to the pace of the course.
EXTRA CREDIT: You may earn up to one percentage point of extra credit on your final grade by
attending Deaf community events during the semester. You will be made aware of multiple
opportunities to be around the Deaf community. You’ll need to bring an Event Attendance form, and
have a CSD faculty member there sign it to verify your presence. You will earn 0.25% extra credit per
event for up to four events. Any after that will certainly continue to benefit you in terms of exposure to
and interaction with the Deaf community.
ATTENDANCE: To earn course credit in the College of Arts and Sciences, a student must attend at
least 75% of all scheduled class meetings. Any student who does not meet this minimal standard will
automatically receive a grade of “F” in the course. Any University-related activity necessitating an
absence from class shall count as an absence when determining whether a student has attended the
required 75% of class meetings. Three tardies will count as one absence.
Regular attendance is essential in this class. If you miss even a few classes, you will find yourself
struggling. Every day’s new information builds on and assumes knowledge of information covered in
class up to that point. I expect you to make class attendance a very high priority, and I look forward to
seeing you in class every day.
SIGN VOCABULARY: Students are to keep notes on all additional vocabulary learned in class
that is not documented in the text. Use the following format for this section:
DATE
10-2-11
SOURCE
in class
ASL description
5 handshape touch
thumb to chin
English Equivalent
mom
DEVICES: All use of cell phones, smart phones, and other mobile communication devices is prohibited
in class. This is an entirely visual class which requires you to be watching at all times. Any such
devices used during class will be kept for you at the front of the classroom until the end of class.
FINALLY … OUR CLASSROOM IS AN ALL-VISUAL, ASL ENVIRONMENT.
LEAVE YOUR VOICE OUTSIDE THE DOOR. NO TALKING, WHISPERING,
OR MOUTHING WORDS ALLOWED ONCE YOU ENTER THE CLASSROOM.
* THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. *