ASL 101 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is a basic introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), the language used by Deaf people in the United States and most of Canada. This course will help students develop their expressive and receptive ASL skills. Students will also learn about Deaf culture since a language cannot be separated from its culture.
ASL 101S | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I FOR SUMMER | 6 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
(Covers the equivalent of ASL 101 and the first half of ASL 102.) The first half of beginning American Sign Language (ASL), the language used by Deaf people in the United States and most of Canada. This course will help students develop their expressive and receptive ASL skills. Students will also learn about Deaf culture since a language cannot be separated from its culture.
ASL 102 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is a continuation of ASL 101 building on students' foundational skills in American Sign Language (ASL). Students expand their expressive and receptive abilities while learning more complex grammatical features, vocabulary, and conversational strategies. Emphasis is placed on narrating events, describing surroundings, discussing daily routines, and using spatial referencing. Students will also engage in cultural exploration of the Deaf community, gaining deeper understanding of Deaf perspectives, values, and contributions. ASL 101 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 101 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 103 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is a continuation of ASL 102 building on students' foundational skills in American Sign Language (ASL). Students focus on vocabulary, grammar, and discourse skills, including role shifting, storytelling techniques, sequencing, and classifier use. Emphasis is placed on expanding conversational fluency, refining narrative abilities, and engaging in extended discussions on everyday topics and cultural themes. ASL 102 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 102 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 103S | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE III FOR SUMMER | 6 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
(Covers the equivalent of the second half of ASL 102 and all of ASL 103.) The second half of beginning American Sign Language. Students will develop expressive and receptive ASL skills through discussions of such topics as giving directions, describing others, making requests, talking about family and occupations, attributing qualities to others, and talking about routines. Students will also learn about Deaf culture, since a language cannot be separated from its culture.
ASL 104 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IV | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This is an intermediate course designed to further develop students' expressive and receptive proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). Students refine their ability to engage in complex conversations, present detailed narratives, and use ASL grammar with greater accuracy and sophistication. Instruction emphasizes advanced use of classifiers, role shifting, constructed dialogue, and cohesive storytelling. Cultural exploration continues with a focus on Deaf history, literature, and community issues, encouraging critical reflection on Deaf identity and social justice. ASL 103 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 103 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 105 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE V | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is a continuation of ASL 104 building on students' receptive and expressive proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). Students strengthen their fluency and accuracy in ASL by engaging in extended dialogues, presentations, and discussions. Instruction emphasizes grammatical structures, nuanced use of classifiers, and effective strategies for cohesive discourse in both formal and informal contexts. Students also analyze and discuss current issues within the Deaf community, fostering deeper cultural and linguistic competency. ASL 104 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 104 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 106 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE VI | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This is an advanced-intermediate course designed to expand students' vocabulary, fluency, and discourse skills in American Sign Language as a continuation of ASL 105. Instruction focuses on strengthening classifier use, spatial mapping, role shifting, and nonmanual markers. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, clarity, and confidence in both expressive/receptive communication, while deepening cultural knowledge of the Deaf community. ASL 105 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 105 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 199 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 0.5-8 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Variable credit.
ASL 201 | ADVANCED COMMUNICATION I | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced level intensive practice in the use of American Sign Language, and continued enhancement of the cultural awareness intrinsic to those skills. ASL 106 or equivalent, including placement test or permission of instructor, is recommended.
ASL 202 | ADVANCED COMMUNICATION II | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced level intensive practice in the use of American Sign Language, and continued enhancement of the cultural awareness intrinsic to those skills. Continuation of ASL 201. ASL 106 or equivalent, including placement test or permission of instructor, is recommended.
ASL 203 | ADVANCED COMMUNICATION III | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced level intensive practice in the use of American Sign Language, and continued enhancement of the cultural awareness intrinsic to those skills. Continuation of ASL 202. ASL 106 or equivalent, including placement test or permission of instructor, is recommended.
ASL 299 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 0.5-8 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Variable credit.
ASL 305 | AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE LITERATURE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course will focus on selected ASL videotapes and films ranging from the early 1900's to the present. It shares similar elements and functions with any literature in any language. Students will study the historical background of deaf actors and actresses in silent films, analyze the content of stories, discuss grammatical features in ASL or ASL expressions signed by deaf people, and discuss the various signing registers and styles revealed in these contents. ASL 106 or equivalent, including placement test or permission of instructor, is recommended.
ASL 306 | ARTS IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course explores the diverse artistic expressions that thrive within the Deaf community. Emphasis is placed on understanding how Deaf artists use their work to express lived experiences, challenge oppression, and celebrate Deaf culture. Prior knowledge of American Sign Language not required.
ASL 310 | DEAF CULTURE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is an introduction to various aspects of the Deaf community as a linguistic and cultural minority group. The design accommodates students not fluent in American Sign Language. Instruction focuses on communication, education, perceptions, treatment, and cultural issues of the Deaf community, while also illuminating values that shape Deaf culture.
ASL 311 | DEAF-BLIND COMMUNITY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An introduction to various aspects of the deaf-blind community including cultural norms and modes of communication used with deaf-blind communities. Students will develop an understanding of the role of Support Service Provider (SSP) or sighted guide. Opportunities for hands-on experience and interaction with the deaf-blind community will be provided. This course will be open to students who may or may not have had prior experiences with the deaf-blind community. ASL 106 or equivalent, including placement test or permission of instructor, is recommended.
ASL 321 | ART OF TRANSLATION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course focuses on development of written English translations from ASL and verbal translation from ASL into English. This course will train students to focus on the meaning expressed in ASL concepts and provide proper translations. ASL 106 or equivalent, including placement test or permission of instructor, is recommended.
ASL 352 | ASL LINGUISTICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course will help students understand the basic concepts of linguistics as they think critically about ASL structure, including the fundamental areas of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and language in use. Also, it will help students compare and contrast ASL and English structures. Additionally, it will provide students with the ability to understand how people can communicate through different kinds of systems, including languages which have several features. ASL 106 or equivalent, including placement test or permission of instructor, is recommended.
ASL 353 | FINGERSPELLING & NUMBERS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course teaches the theory of fingerspelling and number systems by training students to process serial information. Students practice identifying allophones to improve their receptive fingerspelling and number skills. Prerequisite: ASL 102 or equivalent (including placement interview).
ASL 102 or equivalent (including placement test) is necessary.
ASL 354 | SOCIOLINGUISTICS FOR THE DEAF COMMUNITY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course focuses on issues affecting the Deaf community and studies the use of ASL in society, along with policies created for and attitudes towards the Deaf community. Students will broaden their understanding of the Deaf community by engaging in discourse analysis as well as interacting with the different populations in the Deaf community. ASL 106 or equivalent, including placement test or permission of instructor, is recommended.
ASL 395 | FOREIGN LANGUAGES ACROSS CURRICULUM | 2 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The two credit FLAC course allows students to enrich their experience in the co-required course through added reading, writing, and signing activities in ASL. Students must have the equivalent of 106 or higher ability in ASL to take this two credit component. Please contact the Department of Modern Languages if you have questions about this course or about language placement.
ASL 397 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
See schedule for current offerings.
ASL 399 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 0.5-8 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Variable credit.
ASL 499 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 0.5-8 quarter hours
(Graduate)
Variable credit.