Oakland University

Department of Communication and Journalism

Course: COM 114 (40636) - American Sign Language I Course Credit: 4

Prerequisite: Great attitude

ASL Professor: Tim Johnston
Email: johnston@oakland.edu
Office hours: before/after class or email for an appointment

Fall 2015
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5:30-6:20pm Classroom: SFH 167

Course Description
This course is the study of American Sign Language (ASL) with an emphasis on ASL syntax, grammatical
non-manual signals, and vocabulary. Students will experience an authentic approach to developing ASL
skills receptively and expressively. Instruction includes a natural/functional approach to teaching a second
language by engaging students in authentic conversations within the classroom environment. This course
will enhance students receptive (seeing and comprehending) and expressive skills (signing with
emotion/grammatical information) in ASL. Students will increase awareness of Deaf culture through class
instructions, lessons, and by participating in Deaf community events. It is designed for the student or
professional interested in working or interacting with Deaf people.

Course Objectives/Outcomes

1. Students will be acquainted with various forms of nonverbal communication as the basis for
developing communication in ASL.
2. Students will be acquainted with expressive and receptive communication that is used in ASL at the
beginning level, including basic syntactic patterns and appropriate facial non-manual signals.
3. Students will be introduced to different aspects of Deaf culture, through videos taped stories and
handouts from deaf publications.
4. Students will demonstrate receptive readiness of ASL when they are given receptive exposure.
5. Students will demonstrate expressive readiness for ASL, including narratives and storytelling.
6. Students will demonstrate receptive mastery of those given targeted vocabulary and number items
from class activities in ASL

After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Engage in basic dialogue using ASL vocabulary, functions and grammar.
2. Incorporate culturally appropriate conversation behaviors in ASL dialogue
3. Give and follow instructions in ASL.
4. Ask and answer questions in ASL.
5. Present narratives using ASL in front of class.

The course will cover Units 1-3 and parts of 6 from the Signing Naturally Curriculum

Unit 1 Getting to Know You
Unit 2 Exchanging Personal Information
Unit 3 Discussing Living Situations
Unit 6 Storytelling: Timber & The Gum Story

Classroom Philosophy
Class meetings will be taught using a variety of methods including lectures, group activities, individual
presentations, class discussions, class activities, videotapes and handouts. The acquisition of a new
language requires considerable expressive and receptive skill practice. Class participation is the core of this
Tim S. Johnston 2015

experience and is the primary opportunity for all students skill development. Participation, collaboration and
discussion are strongly encouraged.

Required Text/Material

Smith, C., Lentz, E., & Mikos, K. (2008). Signing naturally: student workbook, units 1-6
(book & dvds). San Diego, CA: DawnSignPress, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-58121-210-5

Lane, H., Hoffmeister, R., & Bahan, B. (1996), A Journey into the deafworld. San Diego,
CA: DawnSignPress, Inc.

ISBN: 9780915035632

Penilla, A. (2001). ASL barchart. Boca Raton, FL: BarCharts, Inc.

ISBN: 9781572225589

Course Requirements and Evaluation/Assessment

Attendance/Participation

5%

Assignments

10%

Reflection Papers

10%

Deaf Event Paper

Comprehension Quizzes

25%

Sign Production Quizzes

10%

Storytelling Presentations

40%

Total

100%

Attendance and Participation
Attendance and participation are mandatory and there are no make-ups given other than for excused
absences. Excused absences include: Illness with a doctors note, jury duty with documentation, or a death
in the family with documentation. Students may arrange to make up some work missed during an excused
absence. Certain practical assignments cannot be made up at a later date. Instructor reserves the right to
determine the nature of an absence.

If you miss a class, you are responsible for checking with a classmate to learn what you missed and what will
be due at the following class meeting. If one comes to class late more than twice, one would lose a day
worth of attendance grade.

Since learning a new language requires using that language, THERE WILL BE NO SPOKEN ENGLISH
USED IN THE CLASS! Also, it is strongly encouraged to display cultural respect for not using voice
in the class. Maintaining a signing environment is strongly encouraged at all times in the classroom for two
reasons; One, it is considered rude and insulting to talk in front of a Deaf person and not make the
Tim S. Johnston 2015

information passing between you and the other person accessible. Since your goal is to get to know Deaf
people in your community, it is imperative that you develop the habit of signing when Deaf people are
present. Secondly, this is an immersion class, which means only the target language is used. Using only
ASL helps you develop both your comprehension and your expressive skills quickly and effectively. Talking
disrupts this process and delays your language development.

If a fellow student asks you for help, feel free to help by using signs you have learned or by writing back and
forth. In this way, your instructor can see what is being said and can join in to help, if needed.

Student Responsibilities
Students are to be familiar with Oakland Universitys academic policies found in the undergraduate
catalog. This course follows those policies and procedures.
Students are to be aware that your final grade will also reflect your preparation, regular attendance
and participation in class activities.
Students are to be aware that late homework assignments will be accepted (only if the instructor is
informed in advance and excuses the student) up to five days late with a 1% deduction per day
overdue. No assignments will be accepted after the fifth day.

Assignments (10%)
Assignments will be given at the end of the classes. Please keep up with the assignments, as they will be
checked often throughout the semester.

Reflection Papers on A Journey Into The Deaf World (10%)
Students are required to submit two 2-page typed papers in response to the reading of the first six chapters.
The first written reflection will be based on first three chapters and the second written reflection will be based
on next three chapters.

The direction of the papers is at the writers discretion. However, the content of the papers should make it
clear that the material has been read, absorbed, and that the writer has engaged him/herself with the books
content. Though writing style will not be evaluated or graded, there is an expectation that papers be typed,
double spaced, and proof read. A lot of mechanical errors distract readers from understanding the writers
message. Students should use this opportunity to practice coherent, unified writing. Papers will not be
accepted late.

Deaf Event Paper
Students are encouraged to try attending one deaf function/event where the majority of participants are deaf.
Possible deaf event opportunities are as follows:
Sporting events at MSD (www.michiganschoolforthedeaf.org)
Deaf Club socials, Deaf picnics, Deaf camp-outs
Churches with deaf ministries
www.michdhh.org is a good resource with a calendar of various deaf related events
Observing sign language interpreters do not count
Bumping into deaf people at work, restaurants and/or shopping centers do not count.

Type your reaction paper on the event. Do not write a summary just your reactions. What did you learn?
What surprised you? What didnt surprise you? What did you think before going? What did you observe
while there? Your thoughts? How you felt afterwards?
The paper is due near end of the semester.

It would be encouraged that you all can share with each other what Deaf events are out there enjoy trying!

Comprehension Quizzes (25%)
Students will be quizzed on short phrases, statements and questions, which are signed in ASL. Students will
write down in equivalent English. Total of 5 quizzes will be given with no make-up.

Sign Production Quizzes (10%)
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