American Sign Language (ASL)

First term of a three-term introductory course. Everyday communication is the centerpiece of each lesson. Topics revolve around sharing information about ourselves and our environment. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answering skills. Strategies are presented to help the student maintain a conversation.

Second term of a three-term introductory course. Emphasis will be on increasing communicative abilities. Course will focus on language functions such as making requests, describing others, and/or telling a short story. Grammar and vocabulary will also be emphasized throughout the course.

Third term of a three-term introductory course. Emphasis will be on developing conversational competence. Course includes basic ASL vocabulary and grammar used for basic communication such as opening conversations, clarifying, giving reasons, narrating family history, correcting, and elaborating.

Review and expansion of American Sign Language vocabulary and structure in order to perfect expressive skill. Emphasizes active communication in sign language.

Continuation of ASL-201. Emphasizes active communication in sign language. Increased emphasis on exploring, analyzing the rules, and presenting stories and literature in sign language.

Continuation of ASL-202. Emphasizes active communication in sign language. Increased emphasis on exploring, analyzing the rules, discussing, developing, and presenting literature and poetry in sign language.