American Sign Language
Contact: Dawnette Reis-Rodriguez, (208) 732-6881 dreis@csi.edu
This performance-based visual-gestural language sequence focuses on conversational competence of American Sign Language (ASL), receptive and expressive, in a developmental sequence via the direct interactive method, i.e. without translating to/from a first language. Additional courses address fingerspelling, knowledge of deaf culture and community, creative use of sign language, and completion of General Education core. Videotaping and written assignments assess language proficiency and knowledge of deafness.
Sign language majors pursue baccalaureate degrees in deaf studies, early childhood education, vocational rehabilitation, educational interpreting, and may enter any number of professions including careers in human service, interpreting, education, social service, teaching, and business.
Completion of the following courses is designed to result in an associate degree, and meets the general education requirements at all Idaho public universities. Course selection should be coordinated to meet requirements for your intended transfer institution.
Upon successful completion of the American Sign Language Major, a student will be able to:
- Initiate and sustain conversations in which they ask and answer questions, give and receive directions, introduce themselves, and report observations and information at a level of L2 appropriate to their language exposure and experience.
- Demonstrate creativity in choosing alternative methods (i.e. vocabulary, pantomime or drawing) in social situations where their L2 communication skills have not been effective.
- Integrate various culturally appropriate L2 behaviors into their conversations.
- Complete assignments that vary and reflect instructional methods designed to assist L1 students to reach course objectives.
- Expand their conversational level, i.e. length of utterance, grammar, vocabulary.
- Review material and concepts from previous ASL classes and/or life experiences.
- Expand receptive and expressive proficiencies, i.e. vocabulary, grammar, verb forms, sentence types.
- Acquire features of the American Deaf culture and community.
- Integrate various culturally appropriate L2 behaviors into their conversations.
- Expand and sustain a conversational level with native/natural members of a variety of communities
- Explore resources that reflect cultural characteristics, political realities, historical benchmarks, and social values within the variety of American Deaf communities.
Program Application Required: No
Sample Career Opportunities: Interpreters and Translators
*Talk to an advisor for additional career choices