General Information

• Name: American Sign Language I
• Discipline: American Sign Language (AM)
• Units (Credits): 4
• Schedule History: See when this course was offered over the last three years.
• Transfer Information: Courses with numbers 100 to 299: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor.
• Academic Division: Communications and Fine Arts
• Prerequisites: None

Course Outline

I: Catalog Course Description

Introduces ASL and focuses on the development of basic conversational skills, emphasizing receptive abilities.

II: Course Objectives

By completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Recognize, produce and utilize signs (basic vocabulary) of American Sign Language.
• Recognize, produce and utilize basic sentence structure including: object + subject + verb, sentences with identifying nouns, using "finish" directional verbs, and verbs with classifiers.
• Recognize, produce and utilize language functions and grammar of standard American Sign Language including: confirming information, correcting information, negative markers, yes/no questions, WH-questions, peronal pronouns, spatial referencing and numbering.
• Introductions, exchanging personal information, describing surroundings, telling where you live.
• discussing family, activities and corresponding basic vocabulary
• understand the importance of cultural traditions, diversity and ethics in the modern world.
• have effective and efficient learning skills, including the location and evaluation of information

III: Course Linkage

Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome.

The General Education Mission is to provide a core of critical life skills. AM 145 (American Sign Language I) addresses four specific general education student learning outcomes from all four major areas:

Communication:
- Communicate with persons who use sign language
- Demonstrate knowledge of cultrual aspects of persons who are deaf

Analysis:
- Compare and analyze the similarities and differences between English and ASL
- Locate and evaluate information

Personal Development:
- Demonstrate ability to use a different modality and language
- Develop knowledge of a different cultural and linguistic minority
- Expand communication to include users of ASL

Community Commitment:
- Understand the diverse needs of Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafened
- Use information presented in class to participate and possibly assist in equal opportunities for members of the Deaf Community