Division of Special Education

ASL 101

4 cr.

This is the first in a related series of courses that focuses on the use and study of American Sign Language (ASL), the language that is widely used by Deaf Americans. This course includes basic ASL vocabulary, grammatical structures, and conversational behaviors. Students are introduced to the values and beliefs shared by members of Deaf Culture and the behavioral norms of the Deaf Community.

ASL 102

4 cr.

The second in a related series of courses that focuses on the use and study of American Sign Language (ASL), this course includes intermediate ASL vocabulary, grammatical structures, and conversational behaviors. Special focus is on developing more awareness of the cultural values and beliefs shared by the Deaf Community.
* prerequisite ASL 101

ASL 103

4 cr.

Third in a related series of courses that focuses on the use and study of American Sign Language (ASL), this course continues to increase ASL vocabulary, grammatical structures, and in-depth cultural awareness. Cultural information centers on the ways in which hearing people can work with Deaf people to establish culturally appropriate relationships.

* prerequisite ASL 102

ASL 201

4 cr.

This course provides the opportunity to develop and use stories and language activities in both receptive and expressive modes. Nonmanual behavior, ASL structure, and fluency are included to challenge students' ability to increase expressive and receptive skills in ASL. Perspectives on Deaf culture are discussed.
* prerequisite ASL 103

ASL 202

4 cr.

This course provides the opportunity to expand expressive and receptive use of the language at an advanced level. Special focus is on increasing sign clarity, fluency, and nonmanual behavior. Deaf culture is included in class discussions.
* prerequisite ASL 201

ASL 203

4 cr.

This is the sixth in a related series of courses that focuses on the use and study of American Sign Language (ASL). Course examines the ways in which signers construct meaning and messages in ASL, grammatical variation, and discourse strategies over a variety of topics. Emphasis is on accuracy and fluency.
* prerequisite ASL 202

Course provides students with opportunities to expand expressive and receptive use of ASL, including a variety of special topics at an advanced level. Special emphasis is on increasing spatial use, ASL fluency and nonmanual behaviors.

Second course in an advanced series of the study of the use of ASL. Students are given opportunities to increase expressive and receptive skills through activities and class discussions, including a variety of special topics at an advanced level. Special emphasis is on understanding the importance of spatialization, nonmanual grammar and morphology, and discourse features of ASL, such as register and academic language use.

Int 253

3 cr.

This course compares the grammatical structures of American Sign Language and English. Students use a comparative/contrastive approach to the study of ASL and English and focus on grammatically-acceptable ASL productions. Students are introduced to the linguistic and culturally-based communication issues that impact the interpreting process.
* prerequisite ASL 201

In addition, the following class is open to all students at WOU:

Int 254

3 cr.

This course gives an overview and introduction to the field of interpreting as a profession and includes the history of interpreting, terminology, responsibilities, skills, aptitudes of interpreters, the process of becoming an interpreter, employment environment and options, and current issues.
* prerequisite: ASL 202