Description
American Sign Language (ASL) is the language used by Deaf people in the United States and parts of Canada.
With the exception of ASL 240, American Sign Language is used in classes; no spoken English is used. This immersive approach teaches students through conversation using ASL and prepares them to function comfortably in a variety of situations in the Deaf community. Completion of ASL courses does not qualify a student to perform interpreting services. Interpreting requires formal training and assessments. Students who are interested in interpreting as a career, please see the catalog description under ASL/English Interpreting and the ASL/English Interpreting Admissions Page.
PCC offers a one-year certificate in Deaf Cultural Studies. The prerequisites for both the Deaf Cultural Studies certificate and the ASL/English Interpreting Program are 24 credits of ASL courses, ASL 240 (Introduction to the Deaf Community), and WR 121Z. Those students who have learned some ASL before coming to PCC can request an ASL skills assessment interview for placement in the appropriate level ASL course.
All students who enroll in American Sign Language classes, including those on the waiting list, are expected to attend the first class session, when material essential for successful completion of the course will be presented. Students who do not attend the first class session may be replaced by those who do attend. Students who have previously studied sign language elsewhere or who are returning to study ASL after more than a six month absence must make an appointment for a placement interview by calling the department phone number listed at the top of this page.
There are no prerequisites for entry into the first term of American Sign Language. However, students should read the course descriptions for the prerequisites for other American Sign Language courses to determine their eligibility. ASL core courses are offered in both regular and accelerated formats. The regular courses are four credits per term, while the accelerated courses are six credits per term. Students can switch from regular to accelerated courses (or the reverse) between the 100 level and the 200 level, but not within one level.
ASL 101. American Sign Language I. 4 Credits.
Introduces ASL, stressing the development of expressive skill, receptive skill, and cultural awareness through a communication approach. Requires the active use of the language. Emphasizes active conversational competence in ASL. Includes visual readiness skills, vocabulary, culture and grammar used for meeting communication needs. ASL 101, ASL 102 and ASL 103 covers the same material as ASL 150 and ASL 151 and both cannot be applied to graduation.
ASL 102. American Sign Language II. 4 Credits.
Emphasizes active communication in ASL. Incorporates grammar and culture information. Includes initiating and responding to simple statements and interacting in limited social and task-based situations. ASL 101, ASL 102 and ASL 103 covers the same material as ASL 150 and ASL 151 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: Prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisite: ASL 101 or ASL 150 or department approval.
ASL 103. American Sign Language III. 4 Credits.
Continues active communication in ASL. Incorporates grammar and culture information. Includes participating in task-oriented and simple social conversations in culturally appropriate ways. ASL 101, ASL 102 and ASL 103 covers the same material as ASL 150 and ASL 151 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: Prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisite: ASL 102 or department permission.
ASL 150. Accelerated American Sign Language I. 6 Credits.
Introduces ASL, stressing the development of expressive skill, receptive skill, and cultural awareness through a communication approach. Emphasizes active conversational competence in ASL. Includes initiating and responding to simple statements and interacting in limited social and task-based situations. ASL 150 and ASL 151 covers the same material as ASL 101, ASL 102 and ASL 103 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: for the highly motivated student.
ASL 151. Accelerated American Sign Language II. 6 Credits.
Covers the material of half of ASL 102 and all of ASL 103 in an accelerated format. Emphasizes active communication in ASL. Includes participating in task-oriented and simple social conversations in culturally appropriate ways. ASL proficiency interview may be required. ASL 150 and ASL 151 covers the same material as ASL 101, ASL 102 and ASL 103 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: Prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisite: ASL 102 or ASL 150 or department permission.
ASL 160. Visual/Gestural Communication. 2 Credits.
Focuses on the study of gestures, mime, and pantomime that accompany non-manual communication. Examines facial expressions, body movements, and handshapes that communicate meaning in ASL.
ASL 201. American Sign Language IV. 4 Credits.
Continues the work of first year ASL. Reviews and expands expressive skill, structure, and vocabulary for the purpose of active communication in a culturally appropriate manner. ASL proficiency interview may be required. ASL 201, ASL 202 and ASL 203 covers the same material as ASL 250 and ASL 251 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: Prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisite: ASL 103 or ASL 151 or department permission.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
ASL 202. American Sign Language V. 4 Credits.
Continues the work of ASL 201. Continues reviewing and expanding expressive skill, structure, and vocabulary for the purpose of active communication. Covers grammar and vocabulary for the development of expressive and receptive skills. ASL proficiency interview may be required. ASL 201, ASL 202 and ASL 203 covers the same material as ASL 250 and ASL 251 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: Prerequisite course must have been completed with one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisite: ASL 201 or ASL 250 or department permission.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
ASL 203. American Sign Language VI. 4 Credits.
Continues the work of ASL 202. Emphasizes active communication in ASL, ASL narratives, ASL storytelling, and other topics. ASL proficiency interview may be required. ASL 201, ASL 202 and ASL 203 covers the same material as ASL 250 and ASL 251 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: Prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisite: ASL 202 or department permission.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
ASL 210. American Sign Language Literature. 4 Credits.
Emphasizes ASL communication and comprehension skills through the study of ASL literature such as narratives, storytelling, poetry, artistry, and other topics. The prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisites: ASL 103 or ASL 151.
ASL 220. Black American Sign Language. 3 Credits.
Examines language use within the Black Deaf community in America. Focuses on the history of Black Deaf American Sign Language, language variation and structure and its influence on the Black Deaf experience. Concentrates on the development of a unique group of people, and carefully analyzes intersectionalized identity and language use that can result from being part of both the Deaf community and the Black community. Prerequisites: ASL 103 or ASL 151.
ASL 230. Black Deaf Culture. 4 Credits.
Examines Black Deaf people in America. Focuses on the history, education, community, culture and psychological forces that influence the Black Deaf experience. Concentrates on the social, political and cultural development of a unique group of people and carefully examines the intersectionalized identity that can result from being part of both the Deaf community and the Black community through a critical theory lens of oppression and resilience.
ASL 240. Introduction to the Deaf Community. 4 Credits.
Introduces pathological and cultural perspectives of Deaf people and their community, Deaf history and organizations; Deaf people's involvement in and access to the arts, and perspectives on education. Covers services, employment, legislation, special technology, communication systems and attitudes toward languages and their impact on the Deaf community. Introduces basic terminology and explains the difference between signers and interpreters. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Arts and Letters/AL, Cultural Literacy/DIV
ASL 250. Accelerated American Sign Language III. 6 Credits.
Covers the material of ASL 201 and half of ASL 202 to continue the work of first year ASL in an accelerated format. Reviews and expands expressive skill, structure, and vocabulary for the purpose of active communication. Covers grammar and vocabulary for the development of expressive and receptive skills. ASL proficiency interview may be required. ASL 201, ASL 202 and ASL 203 covers the same material as ASL 250 and ASL 251 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: Prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisite: ASL 103 or ASL 151 or department permission.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
ASL 251. Accelerated American Sign Language IV. 6 Credits.
Continues the work of ASL 250 in an accelerated format. Emphasizes active communication in ASL, including ASL narratives, ASL storytelling, and other topics. ASL proficiency interview may be required. ASL 201, ASL 202 and ASL 203 covers the same material as ASL 250 and ASL 251 and both cannot be applied to graduation. Recommended: Prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisite: ASL 202 or ASL 250 or department permission.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
ASL 260. Introduction to ASL/English Interpreting. 3 Credits.
Introduces ASL/English interpreting as a profession. Includes the roles and functions of interpreters, employment options, and an analysis of the demands and rewards of the career path. Covers fundamental interpreting skills and reviews linguistic and grammatical principles and conventions; explores strategies for developing ASL and English vocabulary and skills for effective communication. Prerequisite: ASL 103 or ASL 151 or department permission.
ASL 265. Fingerspelling and Numbers in ASL. 2 Credits.
Develops fundamental expressive and receptive fingerspelling skills for the intermediate signer. Presents rules for ASL fingerspelling and number production in context. Continued emphasis on fingerspelling comprehension ability. Introduces techniques for comprehension and continues development of letter and number production skills. Prerequisite course must have been completed within one year of class enrollment or proficiency interview within one term. Prerequisites: ASL 102 or department permission.