ASL 101 - American Sign Language I at Rappahannock Community College
Course Description
Effective: 2019-01-01
Introduces the fundamentals of American Sign Language (ASL) used by the Deaf Community, including basic vocabulary, syntax, fingerspelling, and grammatical non-manual signals. Focuses on communicative competence. Introduces cultural knowledge and increases understanding of the Deaf Community. Part I of II.
Lecture 3-4 hours. Total 3-4 hours per week.
3-4 credits
General Course Purpose
To introduce students to both the practical elements of producing and comprehending American Sign Language (ASL) in common discourse and the Deaf people who use this language
Course Objectives
- Demonstrate ability to use space and non-manuals for comparison and contrast;
- Describe the difference in production between a "yes/no" and a "wh" question, and demonstrate ability to ask and respond to each question form;
- Provide appropriate back-channel feedback and ask clarification questions;
- Describe where they live and how (route by which) they come to school;
- Provide basic information about immediate family, including age-order ranking:
- Appropriately establish tense and talk about common activities;
- Utilize negation via non-manual (head movement), at least three different lexical signs, and a combination of both manual and non-manual elements;
- Communicate future goals in relation to work, family, and self; and
- Describe three elements of what it means to identify yourself as being Deaf.
Major Topics to be Included
- Appropriate methods of introducing self to others
- Exchanging personal information
- Ability to discuss physical surroundings
- Telling where you live and how you travel
- Talking about your family
- Telling about activities
- Negotiating an environment using ASL
- An introduction to Deaf culture and community