Course Catalog - Deaf Studies and American Sign Language
Deaf Studies 101 - Elementary American Sign Language 1
Fall
Introduces students to the basic expressive and receptive skills in ASL, including conversation strategies, spatial referencing and facial expressions. Questions, commands, and simple sentences are covered, leading to basic conversational skills in ASL. Awareness of Deaf culture is included. Attendance in ASL lab practicum is required in addition to the class time. One and one-quarter units.
Deaf Studies 102 - Elementary American Sign Language 2
Spring
Continues to develop the basics of the ASL language and the building of both expressive and receptive vocabulary. Further develops the communicative competencies in the language focusing on skills including use of classifiers, temporal sequencing, spatial agreement and object identification through description. Study of Deaf culture is continued. Attendance in ASL lab practicum is required in addition to the class time. One and one-quarter units.
Deaf Studies 109 - Introduction to Deaf Studies
Fall
American Sign Language is the second most widely used language in the U.S. It is similar to other spoken languages in many ways (has its own structure, grammar, etc.) but is a visual language. Another distinguishing difference is the perception that many individuals have of the use of this language and of the people who communicate with sign. The issues relating to deafness, deaf people and Deaf community are addressed from a cultural, linguistic, and minority perspective rather than a medical view. Readings, discussions and personal accounts shared by members from the community address the opposing views- the medical perception and the cultural/linguistic view. Is deafness something to be “fixed” or is it something to be celebrated? This course takes advantage of alternative ways at looking at members in our society who might be “different.” Attention is given to understanding various methods that are appropriate for studying the cultural differences between the Deaf world and the Hearing world and how this parallels with other ethnic and cultural groups. Students are challenged to learn and think about how this majority view (of hearing people) influences opinions, decisions, and policies for Deaf people. This type of learning raises the students’ awareness to significant issues involving other minority groups of cross-cultural analysis and hopefully provides a motivation for them not only to understand their own cultural identity and beliefs, but also to want to influence the future in a more positive and just way. Students enrolled in the Deaf Studies Certificate program can take this course prior to taking an ASL class or concurrently with any of the first four semesters of ASL. One unit.
Deaf Studies 201 - Intermediate American Sign Language 1
Fall
A continuation of the Elementary ASL level. Focus is on increasing the students’ vocabulary in ASL and use of the correct grammatical structure of the language. Further exposure to more sophisticated dialogue is presented. Improving competency in both visual and receptive ASL skills in social situations and increased understanding of Deaf culture is better understood through increased interaction with members of the Deaf community. In addition to the class time, students are required to participate weekly in a Community-Based Learning partnership program where ASL is used for communication. CBL sites include: tutoring, swim lessons, ice skating lessons, Deaf senior Center, visits with deaf and deaf-blind individuals in local nursing homes, and matches with deaf “littles” In the Big Brother Big Sister program. For most assignments, students are evaluated using the target language, either in videotape format or in-class presentations using ASL. One unit.
Deaf Studies 202 - Intermediate American Sign Language 2
Spring
A continuation of the Intermediate ASL 1, but with more depth in the discussion of the principles of ASL. Emphasizes receptive and expressive skills in the areas of grammatical structure, vocabulary, finger spelling, numbers, and non-manual markers. In addition to the class time, students are required to continue their weekly participation in a Community Based Learning partnership program where ASL is used. The CBL sites are continued from the DFST 201 fall section. For most assignments, students are evaluated using the target language, either in videotape format or in class presentations using ASL. One unit.
Deaf Studies 203 - Deaf Literature
Alternate years
Examines how culture and language intersect in 20th-century ASL literature. Explores the origins of deaf literature, its relationship with written literature, especially its effect on the development of aesthetic expression for ASL literature. Considers works about deafness and works written by deaf authors and the various attitudes toward deafness revealed in these works. Emphasis placed on historical background, meaning of the content, discussion of grammatical features and styles revealed in the study of selected videotapes. Taught in ASL with spoken English interpretation. One unit.
Deaf Studies 299 - Special Topics
Annually
A special topics course offered on alternate semesters and will include related areas in literature, linguistics, culture or visual communication. Topics vary with each offering and can be used for completion of the Deaf Studies Certificate. Examples include “Visual Gestural Communication,” “Bi-Lingual and Bi-Cultural Education for Deaf Children” and “Special Education and Deaf Children.” One unit.
Deaf Studies 300 - The Deaf Community: Language & Culture
Alternate years
Provides students with a positive perspective on Deaf people who use American Sign Language and their cultural identity. This course is based on a cultural perspective as an alternative to the pathological model and explores the historical evolution of the Deaf Community in terms of language, self-image, culture and arts. Students will be involved with a unique “signed history” project. Using ASL as a means of communication, students will conduct a series of interviews with deaf individuals in the community to further examine Deaf culture and its fit in our society. Taught in ASL. One unit.
Deaf Studies 301 - American Sign Language: Comp and Con
Fall
With the goal of increased fluency and comfort, topics revolve around sharing information about our environment and us. Students continue to learn conversational strategies. All lab work, social events, videotapes, learning stimulating activities (in and outside of class) and assignments are intended to develop advanced competency in receptive and expressive use of ASL. In addition to the class time, students are required to participate in a Community-Based Learning partnership program where ASL is used. Students are evaluated using the target language in videotape format, in-class presentations and at public forum presentations using ASL. One unit.
Deaf Studies 350 - Experience in the Deaf Community: Internship
Seminar Spring
Offers students a unique learning experience, a full immersion internship opportunity for the semester with concurrent weekly seminar. Students integrate the hands-on experience of their internship sites with related readings, classroom discussions, student presentations of specific topics and personal interviews with deaf individuals from the specific internship sites. Students sign a formal presentation about their reflections of internship experience at an open forum to the Holy Cross and Worcester community. Internship sites include working with Deaf and Hard of hearing people at independent livings centers, religious settings, school settings, agencies serving deaf-blind individuals, elder deaf adults, and medical settings. One unit.
* The courses and descriptions listed above are taken directly from the official College Catalog.