Beginning American Sign Language
Reedley College - ASL 1
Course Syllabus
Summer 2006
Instructor: Katherine Carisen	Class hours: M TT// - 06:00- oS~SOpi.~
Office: No Office hours	Email: katherinecarlsen~sbcg1obal.net
CRN: 78264	Room: SOC 30
Advisory on Recommended Preparation: Eng 251 or equivalent college course with “C” or better. ___________Last day to drop the class without a
__________Last day to drop the class with a “W”.
 __________Date/Time of Final Exam.

Course Objective:
8 weeks course: Students will learn the basic of visual/gestural communication and grammatical structures with emphasis on receptive and expressive skills, including intensive practice, fmgerspelling and individual evaluation and basic information on Deaf culture. The course objective also will be achieved through a program of reading, lectures, presentation, activities, video tapes and conversations.

Learning Outcome
1. Use the basic structures and principles of American Sign Language (ASL).
2.	Engage in spontaneous conversation using ASL at a level expected for beginning signers; able to ask the questions and answer the questions.
3.	Recognize and state the basic aspects of the culture of the Deaf Community.

Textbook & Supplies:
1.	Signing Naturally by Smith, Lentz and Mikos
2.	Pen or #2 pencil, 1-spiral notebook (30 to 40 sheets)
3.	Sense of Humor
4.	Patience
5.	Teamwork
6.	Smile

Course Policy:
1. Preparation, attendance and practice are the keys to success in this course. Student must find sufficient time for practicing, writing homework, and assignments before class starts. Student must have note taking for next assignment.

Assignments:
2. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class as the instructor requests. If student doesn’t get the assignment ready, he can’t practice with other. It is not fair to the partner, who is eager to practice and learn more. The instructor wants to make good use of time in the classroom with conversation practice.

Ouizzes and Exams:
3. Quizzes and exams will cover all materials assigned for reading and practicing as well as those presented or discussed in class and must be taken during the scheduled class sessions. The instructor sometimes reschedules quizzes due to class progression. If student became ill, he must get a doctor slip for an excuse. Family death, please bring funeral card for proof. NO MAKE
UP TEST WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT OF THE INSTRUCTOR.

Plagiarism and Cheating Policy:
4. All students in the classroom are presumed to be honest. Proof to the contrary (i.e., cheating or plagiarism) will result in a score of zero for the test. It is not fair to either the instructor or the students.

Talk/Email:
5. Feel free to talk to the instructor after class or give me an e-mail if you have any questions or concern. The instructor will be very happy to answer your questions.

No Voice Allowed:
6. Talking with your voice is not allowed! This is to help you use your hands more. Any student, who disrupts the class with no respect, will be asked him/her to leave class and I will deduct 10 points for disrupting. The cell phone must be turned off or losing the 10 points.

Activities to participate:
7. Occasionally, The instructor will announce Deaf activities happening in Tulare County, Kings County or Fresno County.
For Extra Points: You are encouraged to go to a few activities for learning how to communicate with Deaf people. You can earn these extra points with a long page of activity report which is due next class. The instructor will make the decision on how many extra points are allotted or are given for the different activities.

Students with disabilities:
8. Students with disabilities — If you are a disabled student, be sure to identify yourself to the college and the instructor so that reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation within the course can be made. For assistance, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at (559) ___________ or for the Deaf, TTY ___________. Services include learning skills, Adapted P.E., notetaker, interpreters, alternate media and more.

Storytelling:
9. Student is responsible to get a good children book and responsible to write or type a page of a short story in ASL structure as a teacher’s requests. Teacher will annnounce the date for telling story.

Class Participation:
10. Class participation is mandatory because fluency in sign language requires class practices with students. Be here on time. If student is late for the class, you will lose 2 points. if you don’t complete homework, you will lose 4 points.
Ouizzes:
Student is responsible to show up for the classes and quizzes. The instructor will not announce the time for the quizzes. She expects you to stay in the whole class.

Midterm Exam:
The exam will be given after practicing for 15 minutes in the class. Student must take the exam in order to receive the points.

Final Exam:
The final exam will be given after practicing for 15 minute in the class.
Points for grades:	Grades:
Book Report/Story	- 100	points	100 % to 90 %	- 612 - 512 points
6Quizes-	240	points	89%to8O%	-51l-4llpoint
Participation	72	points(4 pts)	79 % to 70 %	- 410 -310 points
Midterm Exam.-	100	points	69 % to 60 %	- 309 - 209 points
Final Exam.	100	points	59 % to 0%	- 208 - 0 points

Book Report: Write the different culture that you are learning the most and what specific culture that you disagree or dislike.

Study Buddies: I would like you to find at least three other students to exchange names and phone numbers with. If you are going to be absent, call one of your buddies and ask him/her to take notes and get you the assignment. The person who is absent is responsible for finding out what happened in the class when they were absent.
Name	Phone______________________
Name	Phone______________________
Name	Phone______________________

***You are responsible to keep all papers, quizzes, tests in one notebook. I will ask you for the specific papers to discuss in the classroom.