LING 1111 American Sign Language I

Course description

Students with no previous background in American Sign Language (ASL) are introduced to the nature of a signed language and develop expressive and receptive skills in ASL. Basic grammar and vocabulary are covered, including explanations of the fundamental parts of a sign, proper use of fingerspelling, and the significance of nonmanual features. Instruction is supplemented with videotexts allowing students to begin to explore the visual literature of the Deaf community in the United States--stories, poems, and jokes which are unique to Deaf culture. Readings and class discussions acquaint students with the causes of deafness, the historical development of ASL and its linguistic status, as well as characteristics of deaf education both throughout history and in the present day.

Previously offered classes