American Sign Language I Grade: 9 Credit: .5 Length: Semester
Required
Content: ASL I is a linguistic course designed for Deaf students. In this course, they will learn about the history of ASL and characteristics of ASL in the areas of semantics, historical changes and regional variations. They will learn the meaning of conditional use, topic-comment and classifiers. Genres, norms, the structure of language use, bilingualism and language contact, and sign variations will be discussed. ASL stories, poetry, ABC, classifiers, and number stories will be included. Andrew Byrne’s five stages of storytelling will be utilized with various genres. ASL/English translating activities will be performed from time to time including basic GLOSS rules. They will also explore home signs, universal signs, and other sign languages for comparative purposes. They will study the use of name signs and their history and types. It is expected that the students develop an awareness and respect of ASL as the language of Deaf Americans.
American Sign Language II Grade: 12 Credit: .5 Length: Semester
Required
Content: ASL II is a linguistic course designed for Deaf students. In this course, they will learn about the ASL glossing system and characteristics of ASL in the areas of locatives, temporal aspects, discourse, and language in use. They will learn the meaning of individual signs, the meaning of sentences, and variation and historical changes. Language as art (creative, humor, folklore, and historical stories will be included. ASL/English activities will be performed from time to time. They will also explore idiomatic and expressive forms in ASL. It is expected that the students develop their own projects in studying variations that help them to understand the use of ASL better.
American Sign Language Immersion Grade: 9/10/11/12 Credit: .5 Length: Semester
Content: This course is for students demonstrating the need to learn American Sign Language. Students will learn ASL by practicing conversational ASL, as well as learning how to use ASL to access academic information.