Baylor University
American Sign Language II
CSD1406-03
Semester/Year:Spring 2011Office: Neill Morris Hall Rm. 216
Instructor:Ms. BeckhamPhone: 710-4746
Office Hours:M-Th3:30 – 5:00 p.m.Email:
F8:00 – 11:00 a.m.Class hours: MW2:30 – 3:20 p.m.
2:30 – 5:00 p.m.TTh2:00 – 2:50 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will be a continuation of the development of linguistic and communication skills in American Sign Language, including vocabulary, grammar, non-manual markers, fingerspelling, and numbers. In addition to expanding their conversational range, students will continue to be introduced to Deaf culture and the Deaf community.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate conceptual accuracy in conversation.
2. Demonstrate increased expressive and receptivelanguage skills.
3. Increase fluency in fingerspelling as used in ASL.
4. Demonstrate basic appropriate cross-cultural interaction in a Deaf environment.
5. Demonstrate correct grammatical structure of ASL.
TEXTS: 1. "Signing Naturally" (Level 1, Student Workbook and DVD) by Ella Mae Lentz, Ken Mikos,and Cheri Smith.
2. Departmental DVDs (set of 4)
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Grades will be based on student performance in the following areas:
a. Participation/Quizzes/Homework15%
b. Test 1 (receptive)20%
c. Project20%
d. Interview20%
e. Comprehensivefinal (receptive)25%Wed., May 2, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
QUIZZES: Several unannouncedquizzes will be given during the semester. Quizzes will contain material that is covered in class AND material from homework that is assigned. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to attend class each day, complete all homework assignments, and come to class prepared to participate. No make-up quizzes will be given.
HOMEWORK: Students will receive credit for homework IF it is presented in class on the day it is due. If a student knows she will be absent she may give her homework to another student to present in class. No late homework will be accepted.
ADDITIONAL STUDY INFORMATION
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 there is anything in the homework that you do not understand, come to class prepared to ask about it. It is your responsibility to check your understanding of all homework, and to ask specific questions.
Once you have correct answers, go back and review the unit again, paying special attention to the parts you struggled with the first time through.
Practice “shadowing” each part of the DVD, that is, signing along with it or right after it. Try memorizing small portions and signing them in front of a mirror or filming yourself signing them. Try to make your hands, eyes, eyebrows, facial expression, and body movements as much like the signer as possible. Watch your signing and evaluate yourself. This semester, a higher percentage of your total grade will be based on your expressive skills, so this is very important.
Know all the vocabulary at the end of each unit, and be sure to read the language and cultural notes in each unit.
If you find yourself struggling in class, PLEASE see me ASAP. Contact a tutor using the email addresses listed on the board in the classroom. 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’ll need to bring an Event Attendance form, and have a CSD faculty member or the event organizer there sign it to verify your presence. You will earn 0.25% extra credit per event for up to four events. You must have 1.5 hours of participation to count as one “event.” You may only get 0.25% extra credit for any one event on a particular day (e.g. if you go to the mall and chat with Deaf people for 3 hours, you can earn 0.25% extra credit for that event). Any after that will certainly continue to benefit you in terms of language practice 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.
As you know from last semester, 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: I suggest that you keep notes on additional vocabulary learned in class that is not documented in the text. I will not be checking this, but you will be responsible for all new signs presented in class. Here is a suggested format:
DATE SOURCEASL description English Equivalent
1-9-11 in class5 handshape touchmom
thumb to chin
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. *