Course Description:  This course is an introduction to the basic skills in production and comprehension of American Sign Language (ASL). It includes the manual alphabet and numbers. Develops conversational ability, culturally appropriate behaviors, and exposes students to ASL grammar. The course requires significant time outside of class.

Prerequisites: None but keep in mind that…Every transfer student and new student with ASL knowledge can take the ASL Placement Test ASAP to ensure that you are placed in the correct skill level.

You must make a “C” or better in this class to meet the pre-requisite for SGNL 1402, American Sign Language II.

Required Texts/Materials:

1. TRUE+WAY ASL e-Workbook: Unit 1-5**.  Third Edition
2. Goreact app, an online video recording feedback tool platform*** [No cost - Dept License, see your teacher for license]
3. Holcomb, T. (2012). Introduction to American Deaf Culture. New York: Oxford University Press. [electronic or paperback]

*You can purchase both TRUE+WAY ASL Student eWorkbook and Goreact access codes directly on the TWA website or buy them from ACC's bookstore  (Links to an external site.)then use the code when prompted.    But first, you need the student join link to connect you directly to this course. The TWA student join link will be posted in the Blackboard Announcement before the semester starts.   Note:  When you first set up an account with TRUE+WAY ASL, be sure to use your first and last name. After registering with the student join link, go to https://learn.truewayasl.com to login and get started.

**You need to get all 5 units otherwise the link will not work.

***Do this inside TWA eWorkbook with your first video assignment, you will be prompted to create your Goreact account within TWA eWorkbook (your teacher will provide you a  code).  Under any circumstances, DO NOT go to the Goreact.com's website!  The GoReact App is INSIDE the TWA eWorkbook. 

Additional websites:

1. 1. ASLIT Lab, http://sites.austincc.edu/aslit/lab/ (Links to an external site.)
   2. “Like” the Austin Community College: ASL & Interpreter Training Facebook page (Links to an external site.) (for ASLIT and/or Deaf community-related notifications)

Technology Requirements/Skills:

Minimum Technology Requirements

• • • Access to high-speed Internet recommended download/upload speed 20 Mbps or better (you can test your internet speed: www.speedtest.net (Links to an external site.) by Ookla
    • A reliable computer
    • Good quality webcam or smartphone camera
    • Chrome browser, https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/ (Links to an external site.)
    • Microsoft Office
    • Complete the ACC's Technical Skills Checklist (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)

Minimum Technical Skills

Measure your technology skills and find tutorials to develop, review, or renew those skills in the Technical Skills Checklist. (Links to an external site.)   As part of your online experience, you can expect to utilize a variety of technology mediums as part of your curriculum:

• • • Communicate via email including sending attachments 
    • Able to take a screenshot
    • Able to record your video assignments and exams 
    • Navigate the World Wide Web using a Web browser such as Google Chrome
    • Use office applications such as Microsoft Office (or similar) to create documents   
    • Be willing to learn how to communicate using a discussion board and upload assignments to a classroom Website   
    • Be comfortable uploading and downloading saved files   
    • Have easy access to the high-speed Internet   
    • Navigate Blackboard, including using the communication component within Blackboard. 

Course Outline:

• • • • Unit 1 Welcome to the Deaf World!
      • Unit 2 Academics
      • Unit 3 Family and Relationship
      • Unit 4 Residences and Communities
      • Unit 5 Scheduling

Course Rationale/Objectives: The purpose of this course is designed to help you develop the study skills you need to learn a language and to review and practice what you are learning in your language class. This may include lectures, small group activities, use of electronic media, going to ASL Lab, and Deaf events. You will be encouraged to practice your receptive and expressive skills so that you can have a positive experience with your language course. Students are expected to come to class well prepared to participate in daily discussions. The grammatical explanations will be kept to a minimum and students will be required to work in pairs and small groups. Active participation in group work is required for the success of the class.

Instructional Methodology for a distance-learning course: You will cover the same material as in a regular/traditional class. This course requires self-discipline, the ability to use ACC Gmail, the ability to navigate the e-learning platform Blackboard, online videos, e-workbook, and knowledge of personal computers and the Internet. This course uses internet-based instruction to create a convenient alternative to traditional college course formats. This course does not require real-time classes (asynchronous online learning) however students must watch all the lecture videos online, read slides/lecture notes, watch required films and complete all assignments before the assigned due dates.  In general, students are responsible for their own work.

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to

• demonstrate a comprehensive mastery of targeted vocabulary words drawn from class items and videos.
• develop and demonstrate comprehensive mastery of target, content-specific commands, questions, and statements in ASL.
• demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating behaviors.
• demonstrate comprehension and express production of regulating behaviors (i.e. attention-getting techniques, turn-taking signals, and others)
• practice and understand the short narratives and stories in ASL as signed by the professor, Deaf users of ASL, or viewed on ASL videos.
• demonstrate the ability to create, conduct, and terminate a short content-specific conversation
• recognize and reflect on the Deaf Americans, ASL, and its history.
• differentiate between Deaf and hearing cultures.

In addition to working toward increased proficiency in ASL, this course is intended to fulfill one semester of the foreign language requirement as needed for ACC’s Interpreter Training Associate's Degree or as transfer credit to a four-year institution. The number of courses required varies by discipline and institution.