The ASL degree is designed for students to acquire advanced expressive and receptive signing skills. It also gives students greater awareness of the Deaf culture and Deaf community. This degree is meant for the student who wants to work with Deaf people. Communicating in sign language and understanding Deafness is critical in any career where one works with Deaf and hard of hearing people. The emphasis is on paraprofessional vocations such as teacher’s aide, child care worker, etc. Students completing the ASL degree may wish to transfer to a four year institution or continue their studies in interpreting.
Certificate of Achievement
Any student who chooses to complete only the courses required for the above major qualifies for a certificate of Achievement in American Sign Language. An official request from the student must be filed with the Admissions and Records Office prior to the deadline stated in the yearly calendar which is listed in the class schedule and catalog. Note: All courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher.
Associate Degree Major Requirements
Note: All courses in the major must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher.
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† This course meets all Title 5 standards for Associate Degree Credit.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 120 †
American Sign Language I
4 units, 4 hours lecture
Introduction to American Sign Language as it is used within the Deaf culture. Instruction in the basic structure of the language and development of its use. Skill development practice. Introduction to the history of Deaf culture and the language. Introduction to the Deaf perspective on the establishment of Deaf communities and ASL.
Satisfies General Education for: Grossmont
College C2; CSU C2; IGETC 6A
Transfers to: CSU, UC
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 121 †
American Sign Language II
4 units, 4 hours lecture
Prerequisite: A “C” grade or higher or “Pass” in ASL 120 or equivalent.
A continuation of American Sign Language 120. Students will increase their knowledge of the Deaf community, culture, and Deaf education in a hearing world. The Deaf perspective on traditional employment of Deaf people in a hearing society will be explored. In language development, complex grammar functions, expanded vocabulary, and skill development are incorporated into the use of sign production. The course will provide an opportunity for students to improve and enhance their ability to communicate in American Sign Language.
Satisfies General Education for: Grossmont
College C2; CSU C2; IGETC 3B, 6A
Transfers to: CSU, UC
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 122 †
Conversation Lab I
1 unit, 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: A “C” grade or higher or “Pass” in ASL 120 or equivalent.
The practicum course is designed for the beginning ASL student to reinforce and expand the student’s expressive and receptive signing ability. The practicum utilizes hands-on experiences by continuing practice of the skills learned in ASL 120 and that correlates with ASL 121. Students will practice signing exercises, view native signers, and evaluate visual comprehension activities. Students will enhance their ability to use vocabulary and grammar structures that will enable them to function in ASL in everyday contexts with Deaf people.
Transfer to: CSU
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 130 †
Sign Language: Fingerspelling
3 units, 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: A “C” or “Pass” grade or higher in ASL 120 or equivalent ability to sign.
This course is taught using American Sign Language. Introduction to the American manual alphabet of fingerspelling and its use within American Sign Language. Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate increased ability to accurately produce and comprehend ASL number systems and fingerspelling uses. Extensive drills and practice in both receptive and expressive use will be implemented.
Transfers to: CSU, U
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 131 †
American Sign Language: Fingerspelling II
3 units, 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: A “C” grade or higher or “Pass” in American Sign Language 130 or equivalent or one year of high school American Sign Language fingerspelling or equivalent.
This course is a continuation of American Sign Language 130 using fingerspelling skills at an intermediate to advanced level. Students will increase their ability to produce and comprehend fingerspelling and number systems at an intermediate level and beyond. Expressive skills will focus on “Rapid,” “Careful,” and “Lexicalized” types of fingerspelling, as well as, shortcuts at near-native fluency rates. Receptive skills will focus on comprehension of fingerspelling at near native fluency rates.
Transfers to: CSU
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 140 †
Inside Deaf Culture
3 units, 3 hours lecture
This course will introduce students to the culture of Deaf people and distinguish the Deaf culture from the Deaf community. Students will be introduced to the dynamics of families when there are both hearing and Deaf family members and how culture is influenced. Deaf heritage, values, behaviors, historical perspectives, and the grammar structure of sign language will be examined. Culture and the influence of other sign systems will be explored. ASL literature, Deaf artists, social and political influences, and emerging technology for Deaf people will be studied.
Satisfies General Education for: Grossmont
College C1; CSU C2; IGETC 3B
Transfers to: CSU, UC
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 220 †
American Sign Language III
4 units, 4 hours lecture
Prerequisite: A “C” grade or higher or “Pass” in ASL 121 or equivalent.
This course continues the study of American Sign Language. Students will continue their development of sign language vocabulary, grammar structures, and conversational skills. This course will provide an opportunity for students to greatly improve their ability to communicate in American Sign Language by studying the nuances and intricacies of the language. Students will continue to enhance their studies and awareness by focusing on the Deaf community as a culture and issues that arise between the hearing and Deaf cultures.
Satisfies General Education for: Grossmont
College C2; CSU C2, IGETC 3B, 6A
Transfers to: CSU, UC
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 221 †
American Sign Language IV
4 units, 4 hours lecture
Prerequisite: A “C” grade or higher or “Pass” in ASL 220 or equivalent.
This course is taught using American Sign Language. This is an advanced course designed to increase vocabulary, examine the use of semantic and body classifiers, expand and develop conversational signing ability through the use of appropriate grammar structures and storytelling. Popular Deaf culture stories are learned through the development of storytelling techniques. The rich heritage of Deaf people is studied through biographies of those who are famous for their contribution.
Satisfies General Education for: Grossmont
College C2, CSU C2, IGETC 3B, 6A
Transfers to: CSU, UC
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 222 †
Conversation Lab II
1 unit, 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: A “C” grade or higher or “Pass” in ASL 121 and ASL 122 or equivalent.
The practicum course is designed for the intermediate ASL student to develop techniques in the various forms of creative storytelling. This course provides hands-on experiences by utilizing practice exercises, presentations and videotaping. Students will strengthen their mastery of ASL by practicing vocabulary, classifier use, facial expression, sequencing, spatial references, and character development learned in ASL 121, 122, and 220.
Transfers to CSU
PSYCHOLOGY 120 †
Introductory Psychology
3 units, 3 hours lecture
An introduction of the facts and theories that enhance understanding of human behavior as studied by psychologists. A general overview of the research methods and major research findings of psychology is examined. Topics covered include physiology, learning, perception and cognitive process, development, motivation and emotion, personality, abnormal behavior, therapy, and social psychology.
Satisfies General Education for: Grossmont
College D2; CSU D9; IGETC 4I
Transfers to: CSU, UC
8800 Grossmont College Drive
El Cajon, California 92020
619-644-7000
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