Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | SLS-1011-VO03S - American Sign Language I

Synchronous Class

Synchronous courses are delivered through a combination of online and regularly-scheduled Zoom sessions. In synchronous classes, students must attend Zoom sessions and actively engage with each other and faculty in course activities and discussions.

Faculty

Mary Gorman
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Ashraf Alamatouri

General Education Requirements

Humanistic Perspectives

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course offers students the opportunity to gain individual hands-on experience in American Sign Language. Students learn cultural behaviors, values and norms of the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture.

Essential Objectives

1. Build basic receptive and expressive skills in American Sign Language (ASL), ASL numbers and fingerspelling.
2. Discuss the history of American Sign Language within the context of world sign languages.
3. Learn ASL vocabulary through context.
4. Develop strategies for deciphering meaning without understanding every sign.
5. Discuss the role of the interpreter and the ethics of interpreting.
6. Identify adaptive technology and equipment for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing.
7. Explore the history, values, social norms, and cultural diversity of the Deaf Community.
8. Discuss Deaf Culture and arts, and interact with the Deaf Community.
9. Understand the role of an ASL student within the Deaf Community.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Fall 2025 textbook/book details will be available on 2025-05-19. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

SLS-1011-VO03S Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

Methods:

· Direct Instruction (teach American Sign Language as a second language)

· Work in pairs or small groups

· Activities (playing games, drawing, dialogues, and storytelling)

· Videotapes

· No talking policy: You are here to learn a visual language. You can ask others for feedback or help by gesturing, writing, or drawing.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria:

· Assessments (tests, quizzes, and projects)

· Rubric for expressive signing

· homework

· Discussion Board

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Attend every class and be an active participant.

· Complete all assignments by the assigned dates.

· Have reliable devices: mobile phone, computer, laptop, or iPad.

· Have access to the Internet and Wi-Fi.

· Learn and utilize a new language respectfully.

Suggestion: It would be a good idea to set up a study group. You will need to practice both receptive and expressive skills with your classmates.

Without permission, electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, or iPads) are not allowed in class.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Students,

1. You are required to show up on time for class.
2. Don't leave the class for any unnecessary reasons.
3. If you arrive 15 minutes late, it will be counted as one absence.
4. If You leave 15 minutes earlier, it will also be counted as one absence.
5. If you missed a class due to hospitalization or illness, you would be expected to get a medical note.
6. If you missed a class due to a family member's death, please send a letter to your advisor and your professor at CCV.

Notice: You won't be allowed to make up for anything you missed. It is important to respect students who show up on time. Lastly, the class will continue as planned.

Late Work Policy Late Work potentially would be accepted in the following circumstances:

• If a student is hospitalized for a medical condition, a doctor's note is required to verify that the student needs to take a break from class for some time. Suppose a student's medical condition prevents the student from completing the course's Work at the end of the semester. In that case, it is recommended that they discuss an incomplete request with their instructor and advisor.
• If the student has psychological distress and needs to take a time out, a letter of explanation is required from a therapist or counselor.
• If a student has a death and a funeral in the family, they should send their instructor an email explaining the family's death and funeral.
• The College could close due to emergency events like an evacuation, weather conditions, natural events, and public health events.
• If students are overwhelmed by a heavy load of school work and too many overlapping deadlines, they must contact their professor and advisor to seek support.

The late Work will not be accepted:
• A student didn't submit the Work by the due date.
• One day late, the grade goes down by 25%.
• More than one day late, the student earns an "O."
Suggestions to students:
1. The student should submit any incomplete work on time because it is better to earn a grade.
2. If students feel they need more time to study and work on an assignment due to extenuating circumstances, they are encouraged to contact and discuss it with the instructor. Example: One of my former students had three final exams in one day.

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Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.