San Bernardino Valley College

Spring 2020-ASL 109

Instructor: Diane Gamache
Email: dgamache@sbccd.cc.ca.us
Office Hour: M/W- 8:30 am – 8:45 am NH-250

Division: Arts & Humanities

Department: Modern Languages
Unit: 4
Lecture: 4 contact hours(s) per week/ 65-72 contact hours per semester
Expected outside of class hours: 8 hour(s) per week
Class Hours: M/W 8:00 am to 9:50 am
Room: NH 342

No shows or Dropped
Drop ‘no shows’ Census by February 2, 2020
Last date to drop classes without a W: January 24, 2020
Last date to drop classes with a W: April 3, 2020
Late add petition deadline: January 31, 2020

Course Description
This course will allow you to explore the language, culture, and history of Deaf Americans. We will examine
myths about deafness, Deaf people, and ASL. You will learn basic productive and receptive conversational
skills including vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar forms within the context of Deaf culture. You will
compare the linguistics of both ASL and English.
By the end of the course you will have a good idea of what the “deaf experience” encompasses, develop respect
for the culture and history of Deaf people, and will be able to carry on casual conversations in the language.
This class is taught primarily in ASL (without voicing). NOTE- This course corresponds to the first year of high
school American Sign Language.

Required Materials
• Smart Device with 1080p or 720p Video Camera/Laptop with camera
• Access to Canvas
• Three scantron (882-E, 50 questions on each side)
• Access to YouTube.com
• Access to Word or Google Doc

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to engage in a basic, comprehensive in vocabulary and grammar, conversation at the end
of the course with a minimum of 70% accuracy
2. Students will be able to produce a basic narrative, inclusive of level one vocabulary, with correct sign
parameters, grammar, structure and syntax with a minimum of 70% accuracy
3. Students will be able to produce proper nouns with the Manual Alphabet and numbers 1-100 with correct
positioning, patterns and shapes with a minimum of 70% accuracy
4. Students will participate in one Deaf event and produce a report on the cultural behaviors and norms observed
and experienced at such event.
COURSE OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS:
Upon successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

A. Demonstrate an emerging comprehension of and ability to produce signs for basic vocabulary and
conversations related to exchange of personal information, food and drink, places, things in
surroundings, family structure, leisure activities, responsibilities, time, schedules, housing and
transportation
B. Demonstrate an emerging comprehension and use of basic ASL grammatical strategies such as; yes/no
questions, WH questions, simple statements, topic/comment structure, contrastive structure, agreement
verbs, personal and possessive pronouns, spatial agreement, identify people, and real world orientation
C. Compose and demonstrate basic ASL dialogues and/or narratives related to telling about living
arrangements, asking/telling locations, exchange of personal information, and two character stories
D. Comprehend and apply appropriate rules with the expression and reception of finger spelled words of 4-
6 letters in length
E. Comprehend and apply appropriate rules with the expression and reception of cardinal numbers 1-100
F. Recognize and apply culturally appropriate behaviors in staged role-play interactions and exchanges
such as; greetings, attention getting, negotiating signing space, maintaining clear line of sight, giving
opinions and apologies
G. Develop awareness of Deaf cultural norms and values through attendance of Deaf events
H. Identify and reflect on major social, medical and educational issued faced by and impacting the d/Deaf
community from the early 1800's to current day.

COURSE CONTENT:

A. Vocabulary
1. Pronouns
a. Personal
b. Possessive
2. Personal information
a. Born
b. Raised
c. Age
d. Likes
e. Dislikes
f. Marital status
g. Occupation
3. Food
4. Drink
a. Type
b. Size
c. Preference
5. Places and locations
a. Campus
b. Basic community
c. Distances
i. Far
ii. Moderate
iii. Close
6. Surroundings
a. Lights
b. Furniture
 c. Item location
d. Classroom objects
e. Description
7. Family
a. Structure
b. Make up
8. Leisure
a. Hobbies
b. Sports
9. Responsibilities
10. Time
a. Schedule
b. Time adverbs/indicators
c. Clock time
11. Housing
a. Structure type
b. Arrangement
c. Size
12. Transportation
a. Types
b. Method
B. Grammar
1. Yes/No questions
a. Non-Manual Signals
b. Structure
2. WH questions
a. Non-Manual Signals
b. Structure
3. Simple statements
a. Non-Manual Signals
b. Structure
4. Topic/Comment
a. Non-Manual Signals
b. Structure
5. Contrastive structure
a. Non-Manual Signals
b. Structure
6. Agreement verbs
7. Pronoun
a. Personal
b. Possessive
8. Spatial agreement
9. Identify people
a. Sequence
b. Non-manual signals
c. Descriptive classifiers
10. Real world orientation
C. Language application and use
1. Living arrangements
2. Asking/retelling about locations
3. Exchange of personal information
4. Short stories with two characters
 D. Fingerspelling
1. Letters of alphabet
2. Arm position
3. Double letters
4. Comprehension
5. 4-6 letter words
E. Numbers
1. 1-100
2. Patterns
3. Arm position
4. Cardinal
5. Ordinal
F. Deaf Cultural Behaviors
1. Greetings
2. Attention getting
3. Negotiating signing space
4. Maintaining clear line of sight
5. Giving opinions
6. Apologies
G. Deaf Cultural Norms and Values
1. Introductions
2. Collectivism
3. Greetings
4. Leave taking
5. Attention getting
H. Deaf History
1. History of ASL
2. Deaf education
3. Oralism
4. Technology

Assignments and Grading

• Detailed guidelines and rubrics are available on Canvas. Please refer to these before and while you complete
each assignment. See the course schedule at the back of the syllabus for all due dates and submission
requirements.
Homework
You will be assigned homework from Canvas. Any assignments for that week would need to be submitted via
Canvas by every Thursday before midnight. If you sent your work after the due date, you would receive half
points.
Active Participation
Active participation in all class activities is essential. There will be a great deal of group work and many paired
activities in this class. Thorough, daily preparation is also crucial to success in this course. Prepare the assigned
tasks before coming to class on the dates indicated in the syllabus or by the instructor. Consistent, enthusiastic
use of ASL in class will lead to a higher participation grade. Participation does not imply signing “perfect”
ASL, but rather, actively contributing to the work at hand, mistakes and all. Your participation grade will be
based on: amount of target language signed in class, daily preparation, in-class activities and/or any other
activity assigned by the instructor.
ASL Event Assignment
You will be required to attend one event organized primarily by or for Deaf people and write a paper in
response to your experience. Guidelines, rubrics, and suggested activities are available on Canvas. A picture
with clear proof of your attendance must be attached.
Quizzes and Benchmarks
1) Quizzes: After each odd unit, you will take a short quiz to measure your knowledge of cultural and
grammatical concepts as well as receptive ASL skills learned within that unit.
2) Fingerspelling Quizzes: Student will take 9 Fingerspelling quizzes throughout the semester via Canvas.
They are to help students improve their Fingerspelling skills.
3) Benchmarks: You will take two cumulative Benchmark for Unit 1-2 and 3-4 to measure your progress
in class and determine your level of knowledge of culture and grammar concepts as well as expressive
and receptive ASL skills.
*If you plan to be absent on a test day, you must have prior approval for the test make-up. In this case, you will
need to schedule an appointment to make up the expressive benchmark (before we go over it as a class).

Grading Active
Grades are weighted based on the Participation
Cumulative
percentages to the right. In other words, 5%
final 25%
dividing the points you earn, by the Quizzes 10%
points possible, will not work. The
breakdown of final grades is listed below. Homework
You must have a C or higher to pass the and
classwork
class and/or move on to the next level.
15%
If you earn a 64% or less on your
receptive and/or expressive final, the
highest grade you can expect to earn in Receptive,
the class is a D, regardless of what your expressive, &
grade is in Canvas. In these cases, the culture/grammar/
instructor reserves the right to review history midterms Papers,
and examine your ASL skills upon 25% videos &
determining your final grade in the projects 20%
course.

A=100-90% B=89-80% C=79-70% D=69-60% F=59% or less

Policies and Procedures

Use of ASL
One of the best ways to learn a new language is total immersion; this means communicating in ASL at ALL
times. The use of voice during class is not permitted unless initiated by your professor. Those who repeatedly
violate the “no voice rule” will be asked to leave class. If you have a question or comment during class, sign it
the best you can, type on your computer or write it. Think outside the box, get up and act, be creative, etc.
These strategies simulate communication techniques deaf people use daily.
Technology
You may use cell phones, laptops, and tablets in class for “on-topic” ASL activities including, but not limited
to, notes, practice activities, filming, and assessments. Use of technology during class for another class’s
homework, social media, texting, etc. is prohibited. Taking pictures/video of your instructor without permission
is forbidden.
Attendances and Tardies
If situations arise where you must miss class, you need to notify me in advance through email. You are allowed
one “free” absence, each absence thereafter will be factored in to your participation grade. Upon missing a
class, please review the online PowerPoints so you know what you missed and do not fall behind. You are
responsible for any missed work and handouts when you are absent. I suggest you plan with a classmate to get
all notes and handouts while you are done (do not email me for them).
In the event of extended or repeat absences, students are encouraged to notifying the instructor via email and
discuss the effect on their grade. Failure to attend the class meeting(s) during the first week of the class may
result in the student being dropped from the class. Once the census date has passed, the instructor will not be
responsible for dropping any students. After the census, students are responsible for completing the required
process to drop the course for any reason. Any students still on roster after census will be provided a letter grade
based on completed work. The instructor does reserve the right to drop any students who are absent two
consecutive class periods without notification to the instructor.
Academic Honesty and Intellectual Integrity Policy:
Cheating constitutes academic dishonesty and, in general will be handled as a part of the course grading
process. The penalty may range from no credit for the assignment up to and including exclusion and/or an “F”
grade for the course.

Assignment Formatting & Submission

Paper Assignments
• Workbook activities and handwritten assignments will be turned in or stamped at the beginning of class
only. Papers that are turned in, must be stapled together (no paper clips or fold corners)
• Typed assignments and formal papers will be submitted on Canvas by the due date and time.
• Typed paper formatting guidelines:
-Double-spaced w/ 1-inch margins starting at the top of the page (Do NOT included a heading. One line
with the assignment title is enough.)
-Size 12 font
Filmed Assignments
If instructions are not followed, your video may not be accepted.
• Background: plain, solid, background that contrasts your skin tone.
• Clothing: professional in style and is a solid color that contrasts your skin tone but is different than your
background. No gum.
• Lighting: good lighting all around. Do not use back lighting or film in front of a window. Try to avoid
shadows if possible.
• Camera: directly in front of you at eye level and capture your “signing window” as shown in the picture to
the right.
• Video quality: Videos that are blurry or slow will not be accepted. Try not to have your camera on “Auto
Focus” and a tripod is recommended for stability.
• Time requirements: Make sure to read all assignment guidelines and abide by length minimums and
maximums. Videos above the max length, will not be watched in their entirely.
• Other notes: spit out gum before you start. Feel free to take as many “takes” as you want to get it right, but
the whole video needs to be made in one shot (no editing). Make sure to BACKUP all of your videos!

Campus Resources
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you require a disability-related accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can assist
you in a timely manner. You should also contact Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) directly to
make your request. You will be required to provide DSPS with professional verification of your disabling
condition(s). DSPS is located in ADSS 105. The phone numbers are: Voice 909-384-4443; TTY 888-2357
CHEATING POLICY:
Cheating constitutes academic dishonesty and, in general will be handled as a part of the course grading
process. The penalty may range from no credit for the assignment up to and including exclusion and/or an “F”
grade for the course.
THE LIBRARY COUNSELORS:
Open Monday-Saturday. Call 909-384-8841 for information and current hours. Available to assist students with
career and curriculum planning decisions, as well as personal problems such as drug and alcohol dependency.
Call 909-384-4404 for current hours or additional information.
 How to be successful in this class
• Show up to class every day and be engaged.
• Complete all homework and assigned projects and videos.
• Review PowerPoint slides and review notes prior to each class.
• Review your vocabulary nightly.
• Utilize resources and study tools on Canvas.
• Record yourself signing regularly and watch.
• Form study groups and practice signing with your peers outside of class.
• Study for all tests (including printing the online study guides).
• Go to Deaf events and become involved in the community.
• Keep a positive attitude!

ASL 109 Schedule

This schedule is subject to change based on time and class cancelations.

Day Date Topic (IN CLASS)

1 M, 1/13 First Day of Classes

Syllabus, ABC’s, Numbers, and introductions

2 W, 1/15 Deaf Awareness pre-test and basic classroom signs.

3 M, 1/20
NO SCHOOL

4 W, 1/22 Unit 1- “Wh-questions,” “Same/Different,” “Categories,” and “Communicating With Others”

5 M, 1/27 Unit 1-“Gender and People.” “Clothing and Accessories,” and “Colors”

6 W, 1/29 Unit 1- “Objects and Actions,” “Commands” and “Getting Others’ Attention”

7 M, 2/3 Unit 1 Quiz-

TIMBER STORY
8 W, 2/5 Unit 2- “Which Hand Do I Use?” #’s 16-29, Basic Math, and “How are you and responses”

9 M, 2/10 Unit 2- “Identities, Languages, & Verbs, Places of learning, How much you remember, Degree of
difficulty, and Actions & Attentiveness”
10 W, 2/12 Unit 2- “Describing Shapes,” “Tic-Tac-Toe” and “Drinks and Preferences”

11 M, 2/17 NO SCHOOL

12 W, 2/19 Unit 2- “Double Letter Fingerspelling,” and “Leisure Activities”

Review!
13 M, 2/24 Midterm Benchmark Unit 1-2
(Bring laptop or tablet for Canvas filming)
14 W, 2/26 Unit 3- “Cities and Compass Points,” “All about Residences,” and “Living Situations”

15 M, 3/2 Unit 3- “Phone Numbers,” “Places and Locations Around Town” and “Transportation”

16 W, 3/4 Unit 3- “In a Building and around school,” “Giving Directions,” “Classroom signs,” and
“Gratitude”

17 M, 3/9 Unit 3- “Needs and Frequency,”

18 W, 3/11 Unit 3 QUIZ-

GUM STORY/CHILDREN STORIES

19 M, 3/16 NO SCHOOL
SPRING BREAK
20 W, 3/18 NO SCHOOL
SPRING BREAK
21 M, 3/23 Unit 4- “Gender, Orientation, Relationships, Future Desires, & Immediate Family”

22 W, 3/25 Unit 4-“Changes in Relationships,” “Extended Family,” “Family Variations,” & “Aging”

23 M, 3/30 REVIEW
Video: Journey Through Deaf
24 W, 4/1 Midterm Benchmark Units 3-4
(Bring laptop or tablet for Canvas filming)
25 M, 4/6 VIDEO: DEAF OUT LOUD

26 W, 4/8 NO SCHOOL

27 M, 4/13 Unit 5- “Errands,” “Places,” “Stages of Completion” and “Translating DO”

28 W, 4/15 Unit 5- “Activities With Others,” “Activities Away from Home” and “Activities/Chores at Home”

29 M, 4/20 Unit 5- “Parts of the Day,” “Days of the Week,” “Time Signs” and “Months”
FS Quiz 8

30 W, 4/22 Unit 5- “Frequency,” “Opinions and Comments,” “Responses” and “Verbs”

31 M, 4/27 Unit 5- Practice

32 W, 4/29 Work on your Children’s Story Project

33 M, 5/4 Watch Children Stories Video

34 W, 5/6 Review
35 M, 5/11
Final Exam in the classroom
36 W, 5/13 Final Interview via ZOOM
37 M, 5/18 Final Interview via ZOOM