American Sign Language (ASL) 1

Full Course Description

American Sign Language 1 A/B (ASL 1) introduces students to the language and culture of Deaf people in the United States. This course is designed for students with no or minimal sign language skills to develop basic skills in the use of ASL and knowledge of Deaf culture. The course will focus on the language and grammar of ASL and Deaf culture and its history. The course will focus on both expressive and receptive skill-building, with a major emphasis on receptive skills. Students will participate in dialogues and class activities in ASL which highlight facial expression, body language, hand shapes, eye gaze, mouth morphemes, and head movement as it is communicated in the target language, ASL. At times students will participate in interactive classroom activities using the “Voices Off” Policy to ensure ASL immersion.