Jul 13, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog SVC 
    
2025-2026 Catalog SVC

ASL& 121 - American Sign Language I


Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 55
Lab Hours: 0
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: An introduction to conversationally relevant signs, finger spelling, grammatical principles of American Sign Language (ASL), cultural background and information relating to the deaf community and American Sign Language.

Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 097, or AESL 098, or appropriate test score.
Strongly Recommended:
Special Requirements:

Distribution Requirements: Humanities Distribution Requirement
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand basic differences between American Sign Language syntax and structure and its English translation.
  2. Acquire and perform basic vocabulary in conversational settings.
  3. Understand and use appropriate facial expressions and body language in conjunction with conversational vocabulary.
  4. Learn through visual instruction only (experiencing use of signs).
  5. Basic understanding of deaf culture and community interaction.
  6. Discuss issues and problems faced by the deaf community in a hearing world.

Course Contents
  1. ASL characteristics/concepts/syntax-distinguishing features/English counterparts.
  2. Finger spelling and number formation techniques and palmer orientation.
  3. Deaf culture, etiquette, history of ASL, deaf education past present.
  4. Current issues, misconceptions about the deaf. Deaf differences, values and traditions.
  5. Vocabulary introduced in sign topics: Pronouns, verbs, adverbials, adjectives, and idioms, nouns, proper sign placement, movement, and orientation. Introduction to classifier predicates, determiners.
  6. Nonmanual markers, including facial expression/body shifting in conjunctions with ASL conversation, temporal aspects of directionality.


Instructional Units: 5