NEW HAMPSHIE COMMUNITY TECHINICAL COLLEGE
2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin, NH 03570
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Number LAN111Title: Sign Language I
Prepared by
Patrice McDonough
Instructor
January 2008
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: LAN111
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This course will assist the student in developing basic conversational skills in American Sign Language (ASL). Included in the course will be a study of basic grammatical structures, non-verbal signals, sign vocabulary, and conversation regulators. Cultural aspects of the deaf community will also be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on using American Sign Language (ASL) in one-to-one small group conversations.
PREREQUISITE(S) (IF ANY): 0
COREQUISITE:
Class Hours:2.5
Lab Hours:N/A
Credit Hours:3
INSTRUCTOR:Patrice McDonough
Phone:788-4016
508-1492
Office Hrs: upon appointment
TEXTBOOK(S) REQUIRED:
Author:Gabriel Grayson
Title:Talking with Your Hands Listening with Your Eyes
Edition: 1st, 2003
Publisher:Square One Publishers
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY READING:Supplemental Readings as assigned, including Apple Is My Sign by Mary Riskind
GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF COURSE: American Sign Language, also known as ASL, is the dominant sign language of the U.S. and English speaking Canadian Deaf Communities. ASL is also used in other countries to accompany indigenous sign languages. American Sign Language is a unique language, separate and distinct from English, not coded English, but a language in its own right with unique grammar and syntax. Understanding of Deaf Culture and gaining proficiency with the basic vocabulary of ASL are essential for educators and others who interact with the hearing impaired.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
- Regional differences occur even in the use of standard ASL.
- For Deaf people who use ASL it is more than a means of communication; it is a source of great pride and cultural unity.
- True proficiency in ASL goes beyond building extensive ASL vocabulary
- The best approach to gaining a genuine appreciation of the language and its complexities is to understand signing in the context of Deaf Culture.
- Not all individuals who are hearing impaired or Deaf use ASL
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Learners will:
- identify the causes of deafness and implications on language development.
- create a timeline highlighting key events in the history of deafness and American Sign Language.
- examine the different philosophies of education for the Deaf.
- compare and contrast the differences between American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign Language, Signed English and English.
- demonstrate expressively the differences between American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign Language, and Signed English.
demonstrate expressively 500 ASL vocabulary words, concepts or idioms.
- analyze significant issues encountered as Deaf and hearing cultures interact, e.g. eye contact, mainstreaming, etc.
- discuss the implications of cochlear implants on education, Deaf Culture, and the Deaf Community.
- choose a piece of music or literature and present it using ASL concepts and vocabulary.
GRADING POLICY:
The most important part of class is being present at every class and participating!
Grades are based on:
Attendance
Completion of the assigned readings
Written response papers (one page) to assigned films TBD
Viewing assigned movies in and out of class
Final project
Take home exam.
UP UNTIL THE 60% MARK OF THE SEMESTER
AF Administrative Failure – given any time for reasons other than poor grade performance,
e.g. Walk-a-ways, poor conduct, disruptive behavior, violation of student code of conduct, violation of Faculty’s attendance policy, etc., this calculates in the GPA as an “F”
W Student Withdrawal - initiated by the student to drop a course up to the 60% mark.
AFTER THE 60% MARK OF THE SEMESTER
WP Withdraw Passing – initiated by student or faculty, student is passing at time of
drop, does not affect GPA.
WF Withdraw Fail – initiated by student or faculty, student is not passing at time of
drop, calculates in the GPA as an “F.”
AF Administrative Failure – given anytime for reasons other than poor grade
performance, e.g. Walk-a-ways, failure to meet attendance requirements, poor conduct, disruptive behavior, etc., this calculates in the GPA as an “F.”
Repeating a course: When a student repeats a course for the 3rd time, it will require the approval of an advisor or the Academic Dean’s approval.
The above grading criteria for attendance did not make the publication date for the student handbook. Please make sure that you get a copy of the student handbook at the front desk.
INSTRUCTOR'S POLICIES:
ACADEMIC HONESTY – Original thinking and intellectual honesty are central to a college education. Research projects require the ongoing use of existing works, but students must conduct themselves with proper regard for the rights of others and of the college, in a context of mutual respect, integrity and reason. Activities such as plagiarism and cheating are not acceptable and will not be condoned by the college. Students involved in such activities are subject to serious disciplinary action. The following are presented as examples of academic dishonesty:
1.Misrepresenting academic work done by someone else as one’s own efforts, with or without permission of the person.
2.Providing or using prohibited assistance in assignments and examinations.
3.Unauthorized communication in any manner with other students during an examination; collaboration in the preparation of reports or take-home examinations; copying, giving aid or failing to follow the faculty member’s instructions.
4.Tampering with or falsifying official college records.
5.Infringing upon the right of other students to fair and equal access to college library materials and comparable academic resources.
6.Falsification of data collected for and presented as part of course requirements.
7.Presenting as one’s own ideas, another person’s work or words without proper acknowledgement.
There may be other instances of academic dishonesty, which will be identified by a faculty member.
REQUIRED TOOLS OR EQUIPMENT:
N/A
SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you have a documented disability that may affect your performance in this course, please advise the instructor immediately so appropriate accommodations may be put in place. Accommodations may be arranged through the Disability Services Coordinator in room #104. Accommodations and assistive technology are available to students at no additional cost, and should be accessed at the beginning of each semester.
COURSE TIMETABLE
CLASS/UNIT CLASS/UNIT LEARNING LEARNING ACTIVITY
NUMBER OBJECTIVE READING ASSIGNMENT
Outcome / Learning Activities / Evidence of Accomplishment` / Criteria for Evaluation1)identify the causes of deafness and implications on language development / -Assigned reading
-Class lecture and discussion
-Research / -Researched paper/product for display / Accurate information
please change this wording Do you mean “Proficiency in the language?
2)create a timeline highlighting key events in the history of deafness and ASL. / -Class lecture
-Assigned video
-Assigned readings
-Research / -Researched poster/product for display / Accurate information
t
3)examine the different philosophies of education for the Deaf. / -Class lecture
-Assigned video
-Assigned readings
-Guest Speaker
-Research / -Researched poster/product for display / Accurate information
4. explain the differences between American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign Language, and Signed English. / -Class lecture
-Assigned readings / Assignment presentation of a concept/sentence presented across the sign language continuum / Accurate demonstration
Articulation of differences
5. Demonstrate expressively the differences of American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign Language, and, Signed English / -Class lecture -Demonstration
-Guest Speakers
-Assigned reading
-Assigned videos
-Class activities / -Participating in group songs, poetry and story presentations / Accurately demonstrated use of hand shape, sign, direction, location and facial expression
6. Expressively demonstrate 500 ASL vocabulary words / -Demonstration lectures
-Class activities
-Class presentations
-Research various resources / -Participation in class discussions and activities
-Project presentation / -Accurately demonstrate use of hand shape, sign, direction, location, facial expression and appropriate choice of sign
-Level of challenge chosen for project
- Recognize receptively 500 ASL vocabulary words
-Class activities
-Class presentations
-Research various resources
-Assigned videos / -Participation in class activities / -Accurately decodes meaning of expressive signs by others
- analyze significant issues encountered as Deaf and hearing cultures interact, e.g. eye contact, mainstreaming, etc.
-Assigned readings
-Assigned video / Reflective paper / Accurately examines the differences of Deaf Culture and hearing culture
- discuss the implications of cochlear implants on education, Deaf Culture and the Deaf Community
-Class discussion
-Guest Speakers
-Assigned Videos / -Participation in class discussions
-Reflective paper / -Thoughtfulness of reflective paper
- select a piece of music or literature and present it using ASL concepts and vocabulary.
-Class discussion
-Independent research / Class presentation / Accurately demonstrated use of hand shape, sign, direction, location and facial expression
Level of challenge chosen for demonstration
Please note that I am VERY ORGANIC in my teaching style. This is a guideline and subject to change depending on class discussions, needs and responses. It is my goal to raise awareness and have the student leave with perhaps more questions than answers about deafness, sign languages, ASL, the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture.
Course #LAN111
Prepared by: ______Patrice McDonough ______Date: ___January, 2008_____
Approved by
Department Chairperson: _____Patricia Finnigan Allen
______Date:__Friday, March 28, 2008______
Approved by
Vice President of Academic Affairs:______Date:______
New Hampshire Community Technical College-Berlin does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Any persons having inquiries concerning New HampshireCommunityTechnicalCollege's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is directed to contact Carol Ribner, 2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin, NH03570. Carol Ribner has been designated by New HampshireCommunityTechnicalCollege to coordinate the institution's efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. Any person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, or the Director, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Region 1, 140 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110.