Course Descriptions

SL 109 American Sign Language I

(Fall Only) An introduction to American Sign Language and the deaf community. Instruction is given on the basic skills needed in the production and comprehension of American Sign Language (ASL). Course work includes the manual alphabet, numbers, basic sentence structure, conversational skills, culturally appropriate behaviors, and ASL Grammar. Students learn the importance of facial expression and body language as grammatical indicators. Students also learn the importance of conceptually accurate signs. Initial emphasis is given to receptive language skills. Students are introduced to the American deaf culture and participate in deaf community events. This class is taught using spoken English and American Sign Language.

SL 110 American Sign Language II

(Spring Only) (Prerequisite: SL-109) Continued study of American Sign Language (ASL) and the Deaf community. Instruction is given on additional types of sentence and discourse structure. The course includes continued development of expressive and receptive skills while conversational signing skills are emphasized through interactive exercises. The course considers relevant issues within the American deaf culture and includes participation in deaf community events. This class is taught exclusively in ASL without voice.

SL-123, 124, 223, 224, 323, 324, 423, 424 Hands of Praise

(Fall and Spring) (Prerequisite: SL-109) This course introduces the art of interpretation of aesthetic musical texts. The emphasis is on incorporating the rhythm, fluidity, and beauty of American Sign Language production without sacrificing conceptual accuracy or clarity. (Any combination of Hands of Praise and/or Signs of Glory can be taken up to 2 times for credit.)

SL 209 American Sign Language III

(Fall Only) (Prerequisite: SL-110) An intermediate study of American Sign Language and the Deaf community. The course is designed to improve the student’s expressive and receptive signing skills with focus on expressive skills. It provides students with additional ASL vocabulary and idiomatic/colloquial expressions. It provides instruction on ASL usage as well as grammatical structures for complex sentences emphasizing semantic accuracy and discourse strategies. Special focus is given to the use of classifiers, non-manual signals, and use of space. It includes instruction on self and peer analysis. Students are required to participate in deaf community events. The class is taught exclusively in ASL without voice.

SL 210 American Sign Language IV

(Spring Only) (Prerequisite: SL-209) A continued intermediate study of American Sign Language and the Deaf community. The instruction of American Sign Language vocabulary and idiomatic/colloquial usage of signs is continued. It also continues instruction on fluency of ASL expressive skills through a variety of exercises, but shifts its attention to improving the students' receptive skills. It includes further and more advanced instruction on self and peer analysis. Students are required to participate in deaf community events. The class is taught exclusively in ASL without voice.

SL-211 Deaf Culture

(Fall Odd Years) An introduction to American Deaf culture. This course studies the types and causes of deafness and its effect on the individual and family. It considers cultural identity, core values, group norms, organizations, and significant contributions made by deaf people to the world. It also considers historical and contemporary perspectives of language, education, legislation, and social and political aspects of deaf people. This is done from an anthropological and socio-cultural point of view analyzing the similarities and differences to collectivistic and individualistic cultures worldwide.

SL-212 Deaf Ministry

(Spring only) A study in establishing and/or administering a deaf ministry in a local church in the United States or on the mission field. The class will discuss the various types of deaf ministry as it relates to Interpreting Ministry, Deaf Ministry, and Deaf Church. Class content will include deaf visitation, deaf evangelism, deaf children and youth programs, deaf camp, sign language programs (plays, concerts, etc.) and sign language choirs. The students will also consider several mission boards that are involved in deaf ministry.

SL-253, 254, 353, 354, 453, 454 Signs of Glory

(Fall and Spring) An advanced study of the art of interpretation of aesthetic musical texts. The emphasis is on incorporating the rhythm, fluidity, and beauty of American Sign Language production without sacrificing conceptual accuracy or clarity. Admission is through audition only. (Any combination of Hands of Praise and/or Signs of Glory can be taken up to 2 times for credit)

SL-270 Cross Cultural Experience

(Summers As Needed) Students will participate in a cross-cultural experience working with the deaf. Students will prepare a detailed summary of the experience.

SL 300 Presentations in ASL

(Fall Only) (Prerequisite: SL-210, Co requisite: 301) An advanced study of expressive and receptive American Sign Language discourse. Students analyze and enhance their own use of ASL features such as register, spatial mapping, and coherence. The class focuses on the most common communication situations. Students engage in spontaneous, informal conversations, discussion topics, and debate and present formal ASL presentations on a variety of topics. It is taught exclusively in ASL without voice.

SL-301 Basics of Interpreting

(Fall Only) (Prerequisite: SL-210) An introduction to sign language interpreting designed for students with a demonstrated ability and fluency in American Sign Language. It considers a historical perspective of the field and provides instruction on current and emerging trends. It introduces the theory and skills of the interpreting/transliterating process, roles and responsibilities of the interpreter, cultural implications for the interpreter, various credentialing processes, and various potential environments in which an interpreter might serve, along with instruction on ethics and business practices of the professional interpreter.

SL- 302 Expressive Interpreting

(Spring Only) (Prerequisite: SL-300 and 301 with a grade of B or better) In depth study and practice of interpreting spoken English to American Sign Language (ASL) or other sign language systems. Students are instructed how to interpret from spoken English into ASL or other sign language systems effectively, accurately, and impartially while using any necessary, specialized vocabulary. This is a laboratory-based class that provides for the development of interpreting skills required in a variety of settings. Focus is given to equivalent message content, vocabulary, register choice, and cultural adaptations. It includes further and more advanced instruction on self and peer analysis, enhancing the students’ voice to sign interpreting skills and preparing them for interpreter credentialing.

SL-312 Technical Signs

(Fall Odd Years) (Prerequisite: SL-209) An introduction to technical sign vocabulary used in a variety of interpreting situations. The class includes vocabulary related to the following subjects: American Government, English, Math, Science, Medical, Computer, and Signed Exact English.

SL-314 Fingerspelling

(Fall Even Years) (Prerequisite: SL-209) A study of the science of dactology. Provides concentrated instruction and practice in fingerspelling and numbers as used in American Sign Language. Assists the student in acquiring fluent fingerspelling ability through the use of receptive and expressive drills. Receptive skills focus on whole-word and phrase recognition as well as identifying fingerspelled words in context. Expressive skills focus on development of speed, clarity, and fluency.

SL-319 Religious Interpreting

(Spring Only) (Prerequisite: SL-210, 301) A study of religious signs and interpreting. The students are instructed on how to interpret the various parts of a church service, as well as other religious ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

SL-321 ASL Linguistics

(Fall Even Years) (Prerequisite: SL-210) A study of the structure of ASL. The course considers the phonological, morphological, and syntactical structure of ASL. It also considers the socio-linguistic rules concerning ASL in the deaf community and their applications and implications to the profession of interpreting. Through lectures, readings, in-class activities, and homework, students will learn to analyze languages and discover their patterns and structures.

SL-331 Deaf Literature

(Fall Odd Years) (Prerequisite: SL 210) A study of the literature of the deaf community in relationship to other world literatures. Students study a variety of genres including humor, drama, poetry, narratives, folklore, and language as art.

SL-360 Introduction to the Deaf/Blind Community

(Fall Even Years) (Prerequisite: SL 110) This course presents an overview of the lives and perspectives of deaf/blind people. It provides an explanation of the various roles and relationships of support service providers and interpreters within the deaf/blind community. Basic level knowledge and experiential activities, meetings, socializing, and working with deaf/blind people in a variety of settings will be provided.

SL-380 Teaching American Sign Language

(Fall Even Years) (Prerequisite: SL-210 or permission of the instructor) This class will serve as an overview of traditional and contemporary teaching methods for second languages. The class will also discuss the application of various teaching techniques to the teaching of American Sign Language. Students will learn about the development of syllabi and lesson plans, selection of curriculum resources, class activities, and ASLTA certification for teaching ASL. Students will be provided with opportunities to practice basic teaching techniques, select appropriate materials, and design curriculum and evaluation techniques. This course will also introduce students to the concepts of assessment and evaluation of language skills. The course is designed for advanced level ASL students.

SL 401 – Receptive Interpreting

(Spring Only) (Prerequisites: SL 300 and SL 301 with a grade of B or better) In depth study and practice of interpreting from American Sign Language (ASL) or other sign language to spoken English. Students are instructed how to interpret from ASL or other sign language systems into spoken English effectively, accurately, and impartially while using any necessary, specialized vocabulary. This is a laboratory based class that provides for the development of interpreting skills required in a variety of settings. Focus is given to equivalent message content, vocabulary, register choice and cultural adaptations. It includes further and more advanced instruction on self and peer analysis, enhancing the students’ sign to voice interpreting skills and preparing them for interpreter credentialing.

SL-401 Private Instruction

(As Needed) Private instruction is given to senior Sign Language Interpreting majors. This class is taken as an independent study

SL 495, 496 Special Topics – Sign Language Interpreting

(As Needed) An in-depth study in a specialized area. Requires permission from the departmental chair before registration.

SL 497 – Interpreting Fieldwork

(As Needed) (Prerequisites: SL 302 and SL 401) A practical application of the skills learned in the interpreter training program. Students work under the supervision of certified interpreters in a variety of settings. The requirements include observation of credentialed interpreters, actual interpreting experience, classroom seminar, professional development activities, one-on-one mentoring with a certified interpreter, and an advanced study of the RID Code of Professional Conduct. Students also complete a paper and electronic portfolio, ($50.00 Fieldwork fee for each semester enrolled.) (This class is graded passing/not passing)