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SYLLABUS
Tulsa Community College
American Sign Language Education
Interpreter Education Spring 2016 (201620)
Course: ASLE 1363 American Sign Language I Section #: 230 Call #: 27213
Day(s) and Time(s): TR 8 – 9:50 AM Start and end dates: Jan11th - May 8th
Room # SEC Bldg 2 Room 2209
Course Delivery Method: Classroom Course format: Lecture
Instructor: Don Hastings Office Hours: MW 8– 9 AM, MW 11-1 PM
W 3- 5 TR 10-10:30 AM, T 5-5:30, 9:30-10 PM
Office Email: Office Phone: 918-595-7450 Cell: 918-859-7662 (text)
Home Email: ( be sure to include the “l” in the name)
TO CONTACT THE DIVISION OFFICE:
Division: CommunicationsAssociate Dean: Jocelyn Whitney
Office: NE Academic Bldg RM 2381
Phone Number: 595-7496
Office Email: / TO CONTACT ACADEMIC & CAMPUS SERVICES:
Director: Dr. Mike Limas
Office: NE A151
Phone: 918-595-7473Office Email:
COURSE PREREQUISITES: None. ASLE 1413 Deaf Culture and History and INED1413 Introduction to Interpreting is recommended for concurrent enrollment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to American Sign Language which includes the development of receptive and expressive skills in authentic situations and an introduction to Deaf culture. This introductory course in American Sign Language (ASL) uses a natural language approach to introduce culturally appropriate signed concepts related to the immediate environment. Common communicative events and interactions are utilized to acquire a basic working vocabulary and grammar. Includes development of appropriate linguistic/cultural behaviors and awareness of respect for Deaf culture. Receptive and expressive skills are fostered though interactive ASL lessons without voice. Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 1 hour.
NEXT COURSE(S) IN SEQUENCE: ASLE 1373, American Sign Language II.
TEXTBOOKS, SUPPLIES, & OTHER RESOURCES:
Title: Signing_Naturally, Student Workbook Units 1-6 Edition: First Author: Smith, Cheri, Lentz, Ella M., Mikos, Ken, Publisher: DawnSign Press, San Diego, CA.
Supplies: Loose-leaf paper (no spiral edges), pencil , sound-proofing earplugs , flash drive.
Textbooks and supplies may be purchased at: Tulsa Community College Campus Store Northeast Campus
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to—
1. Engage in one-to-one conversation in ASL and share basic information related to specific instructor-led common topics.*
2. Comprehend message in one-to-one conversation and through electronic means.*
3. Express oneself in ASL one-to-one and through electronic means.*
4. Identify the beliefs, values and attitudes within Deaf culture.*
5. Engage in one-to-one conversation comparing and contrasting ASL with English or another language.*
6. Engage in one-to-one conversation comparing Deaf culture with one’s own culture and other cultures.*
7. Acquire and expand visual memory skills.
* Title: Learning Outcomes for American Sign Language Skills Levels 1-4, Authors: Kim Brown Kurz, Ph.D. and Marty M. Taylor, Ph. D. Publisher: National Technical Institute for the Deaf, June 2008
TEACHING METHODS:
1. ASL Zone: Once inside the classroom, students will not be permitted to use voice, except at instructors designated times. Personal talking with classmates should be done in the hall – not in the classroom (preferably in ASL). This method of total immersion will be strictly followed and your cooperation is appreciated. Thank you.
2. Only ASL will be permitted in the classroom. Signed English should not be used during class. Mouth formations unique to ASL will be permitted. Non-audible English will not be permitted during class. This means no talking in class.
3. The manual alphabet and fingerspelling will be limited to the use of proper names and places and technical information.
4. Class time will be conducted by using nonverbal group exercises, role-play activities, sign demonstrations, exercises, drills, video camera, and play-back equipment, visual aids, document reader, computer, overhead projector, chalkboard, and handouts.
5. Vocabulary and ASL grammar will be presented in meaningful use of conversation, interaction techniques, pictures, command task activities, dialogues, narratives, and spontaneous experiences in the classroom.
6. Students will use electronic media including computer, web cam, video camera, DVD/VCR and monitor for both expressive and receptive development of the language.
7. Discussion, questions, and class participation by students is strongly encouraged.
EVALUATION TECHNIQUES:
Students will demonstrate expressive skills of stories, skits, dialogues, and assignments in front of the class, and, at certain times, will be videotaped for evaluation and instructor feedback.
1. Instructor will interact with students by signing vocabulary, dialogues, and stories.
2. At the discretion of the instructor, there will be two recorded pop quizzes given during the semester. Pop quizzes cannot be made up in any way.
3. The quizzes, mid-term, and final examination will assess receptive & expressive skills and will be written.
4. Evaluation will focus on the student's ability to read the instructor's discourse in sign language and expressively demonstrate content in ASL.
5. Opportunities will be given to participate in outside assignments related to the experiences of persons who are Deaf and activities in the Deaf Community. Students will be required to write response papers.
6. Evaluation of the camera demonstration assignments will be using the “Academic ASL Video Format Requirements” and that handout will be in your blackboard documents.
GRADING SYSTEM
Text Book Homework 5 chapters 25 pts.
Lab Assignments (2) 20 pts. ea. 40 pts.
Sign Demonstrations (2) 100 pts. ea. 200 pts.
Special Activities (2) 10 pts. ea. 20 pts.
Pop Quizz/es 20 pts.
Quizzes (4 recorded) 25 pts. ea. 100 pts.
Final Examination 200 pts. 200 pts.
Total Points Possible 605
Points Earned: 563-605 = A (93% - 100%)
520-562 = B (86% - 92%)
478-519 = C (79% - 85%)
435-477 = D (72% - 78%)
Below 435 = F (Below 72%)
Class attendance and participation may be used to determine borderline grades.
The instructor may assign a grade of AW for any student who stops attending class.
USING BLACKBOARD: We will use the Blackboard site for this class, located at the following URL:
http://www.tulsacc.edu/
If you lose the syllabus or other handouts, you will find copies at the above address.
HOMEWORK
You will have homework after every class anywhere from 1 to 2 hours of work. It is important that you do the homework from your text and DVD because the next class builds on the material covered.
LAB FACILITIES
The FACET Center, is available according to the days and hours posted at the Center. Tutoring may be arranged with the ASL Paraprofessional within the FACET Center. Rhonda Wilhite is the ASL specialist and her email is . You may contact her by email to set up a time to visit with her at the Northeast Campus for tutoring in person or by Skype.
To watch the Bravo Family DVDs used for the lab component for ASLE 1363 American Sign Language I is also located within the Language Center on the first floor in Bldg 1 on the Southeast Campus. Please refer to the Language Center for hours of operation.
APPROACH
The curriculum parallels what we know about language development and second language learning. We focus on introducing language in context and reinforcing what is learned by engaging the student into various interactive activities. A conversational curriculum requires you to be an active learner. You need to come prepared to sign with the instructor and other classmates. The classes are conducted in American Sign Language (ASL) from the very first day. You are immersed in the language four hours a week to maximize your language learning. The teacher will use gestures, signs, drawings, and act out situations to get the point across and your job is to keep trying. This may sound daunting at first, but it does work!
ASL ZONE SIGNING POLICY
As instructors we insist on maintaining a signing environment at all times in the classroom for two reasons: One, it is considered rude and insulting to talk in front of a Deaf person and not make the information passing between you and the other person accessible. Since TCC has Deaf staff and Deaf adjunct instructors, one of your goals is to get to know Deaf people in the community, because it is imperative that you develop the habit of signing when Deaf people are present. Secondly, this is an immersion class, which means only the target language is used. Using only ASL helps you to develop both your comprehension skills and your expressive skills quickly and effectively. Talking disrupts this process and delays your language development.
If a fellow student asks you for help, feel free to help by using signs you have learned in class or by writing back and forth. In this way, I can see what is being said and can join in to help, if needed be.
ATTENDANCE
This course is based upon group learning and interaction, therefore, the learning is enriched by each individual’s attendance. Recognizing that adults do have conflicts that occasionally interrupt your commitment to this course, the courtesy of contact is appreciated. Students are responsible for material covered during missed classes. Three absences will be considered excessive and will be reported. Students with three or more absences are not eligible for any extra credit points.
Students are expected to attend all classes; however, three absences will be allowed for doctor’s appointments and extenuating circumstances. Each absence beyond two will result in a five point reduction in your final grade. When absent, it is the student's responsibility to get any notes and/or assignments from classmates.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS AND MAKE-UP WORK
No make-up is available unless arrangements have been made BEFORE the class period of the due date. Students may request approval for make-up in writing or by phone. A message left on voice mail is considered an appropriate request for make-up. The instructor may use discretion to alter the test or assignment given as make-up. If the make-up is a camera demonstration, the student may be required to make their own arrangements for recording their presentation in the FACET Center. Written work is administered through the Counseling and Testing Center. All make-up work must be completed within one week after the due date. A ten percent penalty will be applied for any late work turned in after the due date.
COURSE WITHDRAWAL The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Contact the Counseling Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for deadlines. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Email: All TCC students receive a Microsoft Office 365 email address
(ex: ). All communications to you about TCC and course assignments will be sent to your Microsoft Office 365 email address; use the email address of to send email to, and receive email from, the instructor regarding this course. (The preferred communication is to send email and attachments to . Please note the “l” between the first and last name.)
Inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations.
This information is also posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu).
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other. Use of any electronic device is at the discretion of the instructor. All cell phones must be turned off.
SYLLABUS CHANGES: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the syllabus in writing.
DISABILITY RESOURCES:It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at or call (918) 595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member may:
§ Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a substitute assignment or test;
§ Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
§ Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively withdraw the student from the class;
§ Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such a request to the Dean of Student Services.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, TCC Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu
INTERNET RESOURCES:
Fingerspelling www.asl.ms
Deaf Library www.deaflibrary.org/asl.html
TSHA Community events: www.tsha.cc
National Association of the Deaf www.nad.org
Gallaudet University (Information on Deafness) www.clerccenter.gallaudet.edu
Describe and Captioned Media Program www.dcmp.org
ASL Dictionary www.signingsavvy.com
Fingerspelling and ASL Dictionary www.lifeprint.com
Tulsa Community College ( in blackboard go to Organizations and log in to ASL Club) www.tulsacc.edu