Brenda the Bridge
Kirtland Community College · daweb@kirtland.edu · (989)275-5000 Ext. 419

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Kirtland Community College

SGN 11000 - American Sign Language I

Course Syllabus

Instructor:
Brenda Dawe		 Office:
Room 35		 Phone:
(989)275-5000		 Ext. #:
419
E-mail:
daweb@kirtland.edu		 Class Room:
252 ADM		 Time________:
Tuesday/Thursday		  

Credit Hours:

 Four (4)

Prerequisite:

 None

Reading Level:

 Average difficulty for a college course.

Transfer Info:

 Varies with each school, but frequently transfers as a humanities or foreign language credit. (Contact advisor or contact admissions at transfer college.)

Course Info:

 ASL I is the beginning level of the language (vocabulary and grammar) used by the Deaf Community. In a combination lecture/lab setting, with interactive explanations/modeling of the syntax, grammar and concepts of the language of Signs, students will develop expressive and receptive skills of ASL as a world (foreign) language. Through lectures and handouts on the history of ASL and deaf culture, Internet and video tape use, insight will be gained about issues and technology affecting the Deaf today.

Students must:
  • Be willing to participate in class and work with partners. Class participation is valued at 3.3% per each 2 hr. period and is 10% of total grade
  • Practice out of class: In addition to in-class work and exposure to over 500 signs, additional time out of class will include supplemental workbooks, CD/video tapes, and occasional assignments based on resources found in the library and/or on the Internet.
  • Set up and USE an E-mail account and My Classroom. Some homework assignments will be sent and responded to by e-mail.
  • Be willing to seek out local Deaf. Attending functions where the Deaf will be attending will offer a native modeling of the language and the culture. Effort is rewarded by extra credit points. (Ask instructor.)

Text & Materials:

Required:
  1. ABC/ASL Text (Humphries, Padden, and O’Rourke)
  2. Synonym Course Supplement (KCC/Mott’s ITP)
  3. Mott ASL Video w/Video Workbook
  4. Folder (for Homework)
  5. Internet account

Optional:
  1. ASL Dictionary (Sternberg)
  2. Fingerspelling, Course Supplement (Julie Haaryman)

Course Goals and Objectives:

Receptive Skills:

 Introduction to approximately 500 vocabulary and 40 lexical (loan) signs with competency to be measured and tested by:
  • Chapter quizzes incorporating new vocabulary and concepts of ASL.
  • Interactive class and personal Net/CD work.
  • Notebook entries (personal notes, partner work, and learned/owned vocabulary lists.
  • Mid and final expressive and objective exams.
Instruction covers ASL as a visual and conceptual language comprised of sign formation: hand shapes (HS), palm orientation (PO), movement (M), Location (L), and non-manual signals (NMS) along with grammatical features: indexing, markers, classifiers, negation, plurals, tense indicators, directional verbs, topic markers, and enumeration. Competency will be measured and tested by:
  • Student response to instructor questions.
  • Text exercises offering practice (books/media) with partners and instructor.

Expressive Skills:

 Students will use appropriate Sign perimeters and NMS (facial expressions and body language: "HOLME") to convey correct meanings of the target grammar and sentence structure. Competency will be measured and tested by:
  • Roll call responses to instructor directives.
  • Practice with partners, instructor monitored and critiqued.
  • Personal video tapes or performance (two or more) for evaluations.
  • Presentations in front of the class.

Grades:

Attendance = 10%
Supp. Homework = 10%
Video Homework = 10%
Weekly Quizzes = 10%
Video Presentations (2) = 10%
Big Test I = 10%
Mid-Term Vocabulary Exam = 15%
Big Test II = 10%
Final Vocabulary Exam
=
15%
Total = 100%


(Grades awarded based on full letter grades)

90%+ = A
80%+ = B
70%+ = C
60%+ = D

Extra credit: up to 10%

Cheating:
All forms of cheating cannot be TOLERATED! Please read the policies dealing with this subject in your Kirtland Handbook. Plagiarism is also cheating. It is most tempting (especially with the vast resources on the Internet) but this could result in failing the class. (Kirtland includes this in its policy.)

Ethical Conduct:

Failure to submit coursework to instructor, to attend scheduled class/meeting sessions, or failure to take required quizzes/exams may delay disbursement of financial aid. Refer to the syllabus for each class you are taking for detailed course requirements.

Simply stated, DO YOUR OWN WORK. If you choose to help another student, it is your responsibility to provide real help. Do not just give them answers or show them your work or loan them your work. This would constitute academic dishonesty. Anyone caught cheating will be given a zero for that activity and be subject to further action at the option of the instructor.

If for some reason you have a question or due to special circumstances are unsure of the right thing to do, it is your responsibility to contact your instructor and ask before you act.

Plagiarism:

 Representing the work of other persons as one’s own, including but not limited to the use of work by others and information downloaded from the Internet. The use of another person’s words, ideas or information without proper acknowledgement, whether done intentionally or through carelessness, is also plagiarism. The student should seek guidance from the instructor about acceptable methods to be used to acknowledge the work and ideas of others.

Special Needs

ADA Statement:

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in the event the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.  You must also see Betty Ehinger, Special Populations Coordinator, in Student Services (located in the center of the ADM Building) ext. 252.   Betty coordinates services for students with disabilities and will assist you in obtaining verification of your disability, if necessary.

Title IX Statement:

 Kirtland Community College is an equal opportunity institution, encourages diversity, and does not discriminate against race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected category under Michigan and federal law. Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a priority of the college. Dale Shantz, Director of Human Resources, is the ADA Compliance Officer and 504 Coordinator.

Kirtland Community College Class Cancellation System

Local Access Numbers:
KIRTLAND CLASS CLOSING MESSAGES XXX-1625
DIALUP INTERNET ACCESS XXX-1620
M-33 ACCESS TECH SUPPORT XXX-1629

Selected Area prefixes:
City Prefix City Prefix City Prefix
Roscommon 563 Houghton Lake 910 Merritt (231) 219
Grayling 688 Gaylord 688 Lewiston 243
Atlanta 243 Hillman 419 Alpena 419
Oscoda 764 East Tawas 764 Hale 728
Fairview 333 Mio 333 West Branch 516
Rose City 507 Lupton 782 Alger 825
Prescott 676 Bay City 509 Saginaw 393

Local numbers for all areas are available at: http://www.m33access.com/ContactLocalSupportNumbers.asp

Enter your code and prefix or city and the system will provide local numbers for your use.

Computer Use:

 Computers are available for student use in designated areas: Flex lab, Library, and student lounge in INS. Classroom computers not for free use.

**Dropping Class:

 Drop with refund: students must drop their courses by Friday, January 22nd. Last day to drop with "W" is April 9, 2010

Course Schedule - ASL I

Welcome to your first class in the beautiful language of signs. The format of our classes will be very informal but could include several routine items each period. These are: College memos, Roll Call, Deaf info, Lexical (#) signs, “Hands on Practice”.

Experience has proven there is never enough time for individual attention; therefore “peer helping peer” is necessary. Tutoring is highly recommended if available. I will monitor your progress and will be available as needed. (See scheduled office hours.)

Quizzes: Instructor signed... no make ups!

Mid-terms and Finals: Test days are “MUST, MUST COME” days. Make-ups allowed (1 week) in testing center... minus 10% unless emergency (notification ASAP to instructor or faculty secretary.

The following schedule is flexible as to timing but fixed as to what's to be covered in this course.

Class Schedule

Class 1
  • Introductions
  • Syllabus / Handouts
  • Explain class requirements

Class 2
  • Review classroom materials
  • History of ASL
  • Demonstrate Hand Shapes of ASL

Class 3
  • Hands on: practice ABCs and names (Deaf culture greetings)
  • Explanation / Focus on Loan Signs #1
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 1: Vocabulary
  • Additional signs: “WHQ”s

Class 4
  • Roll call participation: Loan Signs #1
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 1: Grammar
  • Partners: Pers. Pronouns & adjectives
  • Practice (mime/gesture and NMS)

Class 5
  • Quiz #1 - ABC / ASL Lesson 1
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 2: Vocabulary

Class 6
  • Focus on Loan Signs w/roll call
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 2: Grammar
  • Partner Practice: Poss. pronouns & people

Class 7
  • Quiz #2 - ABC / ASL Lesson 2
  • Focus on Loan Signs (List 2)
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 3: Vocabulary

Class 8
  • Focus on Loan Signs w/roll call
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 3: Grammar
  • New Partner Selection
  • Practice: with Classifiers

Class 9
  • Quiz #3 - ABC / ASL Lesson 3
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 4: Vocabulary

Class 10
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 4: Grammar
  • Partner practice w/ Negatives and “Haves”

Class 11
  • Quiz #4 - ABC / ASL Lesson 4
  • Explain videos, mock test and extra credit
  • “Study Guide” handout
  • Practice for videos

Class 12
  • Videotape introductions
  • Review for “Biggy” Test (Mock test)

Class 13
  • Mid term Exam: “Biggy Test I”
  • Review for Vocab Mid-Term Exam

Class 14
  • Mid-Term Exam: Expressive and Receptive
  • Recap Test #1
  • Workbooks and Portfolios due

Class 15
  • Focus on Loan Signs (List 3)
  • Videotape: Numbers and related vocabulary

Class 16
  • Continue Numbers w/practice
  • Quiz 4B on Numbers

Class 17
  • Focus on Loan Signs w/roll call
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 5: Vocabulary

Class 18
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 5: Grammar
  • Group work with Tenses and Number Signs (List 3)

Class 19
  • Quiz #5 - ABC / ASL Lesson 5
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 6: Vocabulary

Class 20
  • Focus on Loan Signs (Lists 1-3)
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 6: Grammar
  • Practice with Parnters: Directional Verbs

Class 21
  • Quiz #6 - ABC / ASL Lesson 6
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 7: Vocabulary

Class 22
  • Focus on Loan Signs (List 4)
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 7: Grammar
  • Practice with Partners: Imperatives

Class 23
  • Quiz #7 - ABC / ASL Lesson 7
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 8: Vocabulary

Class 24
  • Focus on Loan Signs (1-4)
  • ABC / ASL Lesson 8: Grammar
  • Work on final video selections

Class 25
  • QUIZ #8 - Mock test 5-8
  • Final Individual Video Tapes
  • EXTRA CREDIT DUE (10%)

Class 26
  • Final Exam: “Biggy Test II”
  • Finish video tapes

Class 27
  • Practice for finals: SIGNO
  • Portfolios due (10%) All Assignments / Make-ups

Class 28
  • Final Exam: Vocabulary w/hand shapes
  • Student “Owned Signs” Evaluations

Class 29
  • Recap Final Exams
  • Finish teacher-student evaluations
  • Practice for Closing Party

Class 30
  • Return Portfolios
  • Final Class Meet - PARTY TIME with Deaf guests!

First Journey Ends... :>(

ASL II - Chapters 9-15 ... SAME TEXT BOOK!!

ASL Journal with Supplement Book Homework

Synonyms, Have and Go exercises, TYPED journal sections:Vocabulary "OWNED" (HOLME) (min. 25)Two Personal notes to instructor at MID TERM and FINAL (frustrations / successes

    Homework Video Book assigned exercises
  1. Deaf Day Experience. Challenge yourself to "walk a mile..." by "NO HEARING" as long as possible. This can be combined with a few of the following project choices. (Voicing is optional...late deafened still speak!) (20pts)
  2. Projects: choose 1 of the following:
    1. Research or create something to help fellow students learn ASL. Explain objectives.
    2. Create/translate (solo or partners) a story / songs in ASL for the Kid Care Center. (May use again at party with Deaf visitors)
    3. Read three different TV programs (watch CC only with sound down. Report experience)
    4. Read a book or several articles/blogs on deaf issues (Library/Internet). Personal views?
    5. View one of our movies/videos (choose one, watch and write brief recap.)
    6. Attend deaf programs/plays/church with interpreters (or field trip to MSD).
    7. Join deaf at signing breakfasts / dinners.
    8. Select Deaf organization and make one TTY call (phone in center by bookstore or over relay on Internet. Comment on outcome.
    9. Volunteer in a deaf activity (MIRID VI meetings/workshop)
    10. Explore deaf-awareness/deaf festival celebrations (document events in MI).
    11. Visit web sites for learning ASL and/or fingerspelling (3 sites min.)
    12. Make list of signing dictionaries hard copy, CD-ROM and web sites. Choose favorite; Tell why?
    13. FYI Handouts or Internet info on Deaf Culture/issues* (Include your personal opinion.(20 pts.)
  3. *Extra Credit (up to 10%):one more of above or instructor approved topic.

    4. ** Note book paper for Vocabulary lists and class note/partner work but PERSONAL NOTES, PROJECT, DEAF DAY should be sent e-mail.