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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

Seymour Joseph Institute of American Sign Language | Evaluated Learning Experience

Introduction to American Sign Language - ASL 101

Formerly American Sign Language 101
Length: 
84 hours (14 weeks).
Location: 
Various locations throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
Dates: 

February 1995 - December 2018.

Instructional delivery format: 
Traditional classroom model
Learner Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: satisfy routine travel needs and minimum courtesy requirements; ask and answer questions on familiar topics; understand and respond to simple questions and statements; use visual receptive skills to recognize grammatical features of ASL; and discuss cultural distinctions between the hearing and Deaf communities.

Instruction: 

This course provides a solid foundation of basic ASL conversational skills and the essentials and grammatical principles of the language by integrating language development, linguistics, and Deaf awareness and culture. Topics include: history of ASL; myths; Deaf culture; Deaf community; finger spelling; name signs; sign continuum; for­formational parameters of signs; charting system; dictionary; non-manual movements; spatial patterning; time line; placement of nouns; reference for past and future signs; syntactical and grammatical organization of ASL; and expressive com­communication skills. Students participate in dialogue drills to develop skills which are significant to the visually-based language. Instructional movies are provided that prompt discussions about Deaf culture. In addition to a written examination, students present a five-minute signed story and engage in a language competency interview with the instructor.

Credit recommendation: 

In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 5 semester hours in American Sign Language (3/96) (8/98) (7/03 revalidation) (8/08 revalidation) (10/13 revalidation).

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