American Sign Language Major
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College of Arts and Humanities - Department of World Languages
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE MAJOR
The World Language Department offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in American Sign Language, with concentrations in American Sign Language/English Interpreting and in Deaf Studies.
The ASL/English Interpreting concentration provides students with a theoretical and practical foundation in the knowledge, skills, values and ethical judgment necessary for the successful transfer of meaning, cultural mediation and professional conduct required of working interpreters. Students are involved in coursework, research, service learning (community engagement) and practicum experiences within the context of a public liberal arts education that seeks to strengthen and deepen the knowledge base and critical thinking skills that all successful interpreters must possess. Upon completion of the program, students are well-positioned to state-level interpreter screenings within one year of graduation.
The goal of the Deaf Studies concentration is to provide students with a foundation in American Sign Language and associated courses that cover the history, culture, and literature of the Deaf Community in the U.S., based on a social justice framework. Students graduating from this program qualify for entry-level work in Deaf services agencies, residential programs, and educational and human service settings requiring fluency in ASL. Graduates are well-positioned to pursue graduate studies in Deaf education, rehabilitation counseling, linguistics, social work, or other disciplines. The knowledge and skills acquired in this program may also be applied to other professional domains where Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind individuals are served.
View program mission statements and learning objectives >
The General Education Requirement
All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain I-C (Language) requirement is satisfied through the completion of the major.
Course Prerequisites
Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.
Major Core Requirements (U_AS)
Core Language Courses (9):
- ASGN 101 American Sign Language I
- ASGN 102 American Sign Language II
- ASGN 200 American Sign Language Linguistics
- ASGN 201 Intermediate American Sign Language I
- ASGN 202 Intermediate American Sign Language I
- ASGN 301 Advanced American Sign Language I
- ASGN 302 Advanced American Sign Language II
- ASGN 401 Advanced American Sign Language III
- ASGN 402 Advanced American Sign Language IV
Deaf Studies Courses (4):
- DFST 101 Introduction to Deaf Studies
- DFST 201 Introduction to the Interpreting Profession
- DFST 222 Introduction to American Sign Language Literature
- DFST 232 Social Justice and the Deaf Community
- ANTH 161 Cultural Anthropology (meets Domain III-B)
Concentration in American Sign Language/English Interpreting (UASE) (15)
Core Requirements (10 courses; 9 course-credits):
- ASGN 221 American Sign Language/English Interpreting I
- ASGN 222 American Sign Language/ English Interpreting II
- ASGN 242 Communication Dynamics in Interpreted Encounters
- ASGN 333 Ethical Decision-Making in the Interpreting Profession
- ASGN 313 American Sign Language/English Interpreting III
- ASGN 314 American Sign Language/English Interpreting IV
- ASGN 430 Reading and Analysis of Research in Interpreting (0.5 course-credit)
- ASGN 440 Undergraduate Research in Interpreting (0.5 course-credit)
- ASGN 451 Interpreting Practicum and Seminar I
- ASGN 452 Interpreting Practicum and Seminar II
Deaf Studies Courses (4):
- DFST 101 Introduction to Deaf Studies
- DFST 201 Introduction to the Interpreting Profession
- DFST 222 Introduction to American Sign Language Literature
- DFST 232 Social Justice and the Deaf Community
Related Required Courses (2):
- ANTH 161 Cultural Anthropology (meets Domain III-B)
- COMM 107 Effective Speaking (meets Domain I-A)
Effective as of the 2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog