Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the basic skills in production and comprehension of American Sign Language (ASL). It

includes the manual alphabet and numbers. Develops conversational ability, culturally appropriate behaviors and

exposes students to ASL grammar. Course requires significant time outside of class. Prerequisites: None

Instructional Methodology for a distance-learning course:

This course requires self-discipline, ability to use ACC gmail, ability to navigate the e-learning platform Blackboard,

online videos, e-workbook, and knowledge of personal computers and the Internet. This course uses internet-based

instruction to create a convenient alternative to traditional college course formats. Students must watch all the lecture

videos online, read slides/lecture notes, watch required films and complete all assignments before the assigned due

dates. Students are responsible for their own work.

Course Rationale/Objectives:

In addition to working toward increased proficiency in ASL, this course is intended to fulfill one semester of the foreign

language requirement as needed for ACC’s Interpreter Training Associate's Degree or as transfer credit to a four-year

institution. The number of courses required varies by discipline and institution.

Required Texts/Materials/Websites:

1. ACC Blackboard, http://www.austincc.edu/blackboard (use your ACCeID to login)

2. Bryant, R., Gelineau, L., Shannon, T., Harris, R. & Marbury, N. (2011-2017). TRUE+WAY ASL: Level 1 Student e-

Workbook. Austin, TX: Purple Moontower. http://truewayasl.com (create your own login & pw)

3. Lecture video & slides, www.myaslbox.com (password's in Blackboard)

4. Register with GoReact (link's in Blackboard to connect you directly to this course)

6. Holcomb, T. (2012). Introduction to American Deaf Culture (Chapters 1-15). New York: Oxford University Press.

Technical Requirements:

1. Reliable computer

2. Good quality webcam

3. Reliable High Speed Internet access, recommended download/upload speed 10 Mbps or better (you can test

your internet speed: www.speedtest.net by Ookla

4. Chrome browser, https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/ (works best with videos playing on Blackboard

especially for quizzes and exams)

Additional websites:

1. ASLIT Lab, http://sites.austincc.edu/aslit/lab/

2. “Like” the Austin Community College: ASL & Interpreter Training Facebook page (for ASLIT and/or Deaf

community events notifications)

Course Grading System:

Your comprehension and expressive skills will be evaluated regularly. You will also be evaluated on your preparation for

class activities and your assignments outside of the class.

1. Assignments 30%

TRUE+WAY ASL (TWA) e-Workbook assignments (10%)

TWA “SOAR” video assignments (10%)

ASLIT Lab assignments (10%)

2. Online Interactive Dialogue Activities 6%

3. Quizzes 19%

Lecture/TWA Quizzes (10%)

Intro. To American Deaf Culture Quizzes (5%)

Film Quizzes (4%)

4. ASL Passport 5%

5. Unit Tests 20%

6. Final Exam 20%

Student Learning Outcomes:

a. Vocabulary Development

1. The student will be exposed to vocabulary items in Units 1-6 of the TRUE+WAY ASL e-workbook.

2. The student will demonstrate comprehensive mastery of targeted vocabulary words drawn from class

items and videos.

b. Grammatical Features

1. The student will demonstrate comprehensive mastery of target, content-specific commands, questions,

and statements in ASL.

2. The student will be exposed to short dialogues in ASL as directed by the professor.

c. Conversational and Communication Skills

1. The student will demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating behaviors.

2. The student will demonstrate comprehension and production of regulating behaviors (i.e. attention

getting techniques, turn taking signals, and others)

3. The student will be exposed to short narratives and stories in ASL as signed by the professor, Deaf users

of ASL, or viewed on ASL videos.

4. The student will demonstrate the ability to create, conduct and terminate a short content-specific

conversation.

d. Cultural Awareness

1. The students will read/see information on Deaf Americans, ASL, and its history. The student is

responsible for the cultural notes and information from lectures discussed in class, TRUE+WAY ASL, films,

and Introduction to American Deaf Culture.

2. The student will compare, contrast, and interpret differences and commonalities among Deaf and

hearing cultures.

General Education Students Learning Outcomes:

As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:

• Civic and Cultural Awareness - Analyzing and critiquing competing perspectives in a democratic society; comparing,

contrasting, and interpreting differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and

cultural practices

• Critical Thinking - Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.

• Personal Responsibility - Identifying and applying ethical principles and practices; demonstrating effective learning,

creative thinking, and personal responsibility.

• Interpersonal Skills - Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.

• Written, Oral and Visual Communication - Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience,

and medium.

• Technology Skills - Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information.