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World Language Department

American Sign Language I

ASL 121: Section C

5 Credit Hours

Fall Quarter 2019

Class Schedule

MTWHF: 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm

Class Location: R102

Instructor: Mae Sellers

E-Mail: mae.sellers@bellevuecollege.edu

Office location: R230

Office Hours: by appointment

*Biography*

My name is Mae Sellers and I recently moved to the Pacific Northwest from the East coast. I

am a native signer (3rd generation Deaf) and I grew up in Austin, TX. I relocated to the DC

area and, after earning my MA in teaching, moved to NY. I am open to any question and I

look forward to getting to know each of you.

ASL 121 is a five credit, transferable, college level, language course that introduces the

basic vocabulary and grammar of ASL for the beginning student and reviews the cultural

aspects of Deafness. Fulfills humanities course requirement at Bellevue College.

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the basic skills in production and comprehension of American Sign Language (ASL). It includes the manual alphabet and numbers. Develops conversational ability, culturally appropriate behaviors and exposes students to ASL grammar.

mailto:mae.sellers@bellevuecollege.edu

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Course Outline:

Unit 1 Welcome to the Deaf World!

Unit 2 Academics

Unit 3 Family and Relationship

Required Textbooks and Materials: 1. Bryant, R., Gelineau, L., Shannon, T., Harris, R., & Marbury, N. (2017). TRUE WAY ASL: Level 1 student e-workbook. Austin, TX: Purple Moontower. http://truewayasl.com

Web Resources:

You will be using CANVAS regularly. Your class guidelines, assignments, homework, and

handouts are accessible to you only through CANVAS, where your class is divided into

neatly organized modules. If you are struggling to find any specific document, remember

you can search “Files” in Canvas. (We will not use the “Gradebook” function on Canvas).

is an on-line video forum linked to your Canvas account. You will need to establish your

account and have access to a device that can play and record video (laptop, phone, etc.).

Major assignments, Homework and other communication will occur through GoReact.

Help with Canvas for Students .

BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student

success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Technology Help

Desk

Course Rationale/Objectives:

The purpose of this course is designed to help you develop the study skills you need to learn a language and to review and practice what you are learning in your language class. This may include lectures, small group activities, use of electronic media, going to ASL Lab, and Deaf events. You will be encouraged to practice your receptive and expressive skills so that you can have a positive experience with your language course. Students are expected to come to class well prepared to participate in daily discussions. The grammatical

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explanations will be kept to a minimum and students will be required to work in pairs and small groups. Active participation in group work is required for the success of the class.

Course Outcomes - After completing this class, students should be able to:

At the end of this course, the students will able to:

1. Vocabulary Development 1. recognize and produce vocabulary items in each unit. 2. demonstrate comprehensive mastery of targeted vocabulary words drawn

from class items, lecture, and videos.

2. Grammatical Features 1. demonstrate comprehensive mastery of target, content-specific commands,

questions, and statements in ASL. 2. identify grammatical features within short dialogues in ASL as directed by

the professor.

3. Conversational and Communication Skills 1. demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating behaviors. 2. demonstrate comprehension and production of regulating behaviors (i.e.

attention getting techniques, turn taking signals, and others) 3. comprehend short narratives and stories in ASL as signed by the professor,

Deaf users of ASL, or viewed on ASL videos. 4. demonstrate the ability to create, conduct and terminate a short content-

specific conversation.

4. Cultural Awareness 1. analyze and critique competing perspectives of diverse Deaf communities in

the United States and Canada, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices, and its history.

2. compare, contrast, and interpret differences and commonalities among Deaf and hearing cultures

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Grading Scale

1. Quizzes-100 Points 2. Attendance-120 Points 3. Participation-120 Points 4. ASL Chats-150 Points 5. Receptive Exams-300 Points 6. Expressive Exam-300 Points 7. Cultural Awareness-Range from 100 to 500 Points

The total of points are range from 1090-1590)

Attendance: (120 Points)

Your attendance is required if you are to succeed in any language class. ASL 121 is no

exception. Because the language is visual and manual, your eyes, body and mind must be

present if you are to learn. Your participation in class activities is a required part of your

attendance. American Sign Language is all about communication and communication is the

interaction between individuals sharing information. A book or videotape can never

provide this communication environment. If for any reason you miss a class, it is your

responsibility to contact a classmate and find out what you missed. Make-ups are not

possible for missed tests or quizzes. Your attendance will be recorded and factored into

your final grade and will earn you part of your Participation points.

Showing up late and leaving early are disruptive to the class.

You will be counted present only if you are present for the entire class period.

Participation: (120 points)

This class is highly interactive. You will work with most, if not all, of your classmates in

various settings. Randomly, these activities will be awarded points. If you are not there, or

not participating, you are not earning those points.

Cultural Awareness Assignments ( 100-500 points)

In this class, I will be exposing you to the deaf community, our history, language and

culture. This will be done through movies, articles, videos, etc and may be surprising for

you to learn. Please feel free to share your thoughts, concerns or reactions, either in class or

with me privately.

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Quizzes (100 Points)

Some quizzes will be announced in class and some will be “pop” quizzes. You may not make

up any quizzes you miss – if you miss the quiz, you will get a zero. The quizzes will be based

mainly on the ability to comprehend ASL and cultural information. Questions may also be

drawn from the reading/viewing of the TRUE+WAY ASL e-workbook/video, video

assignments, vocabulary, and from class discussions.

Exams: Production (600 Points)

This receptive and expressive exams will include comprehension and production,

information from the workbook, videos shown in and out of class, vocabulary videos, class

assignments, and discussions. There will be no make-up of the final exam except under

circumstances I deem to be extreme or unique.

(Receptive Skills Exams (300 Points)

There will be two receptive exams during the quarter one as a mid-term and one

as your final exam. I will produce a signed performance (in person or on video

tape) using vocabulary and grammar presented in class. Students will be

expected to translate these passages into written English. Each translation is

worth 150 points. These receptive examinations will be worth a total of 300

points.

(Expressive Skills Exams (300 Points)

There will be one expressive exam at the end of the quarter. The instructor will

assign partners to dialogue about topics learned during the class. This

conversation will be 10-15 minutes in length and is worth 300 points.

Culture Contact Paper (150 Points)

In class, I give you the tools to learn this language. I teach you how to use those tools and

give you some practice in using them in class. In order for you to gain proficiency in the

language, you MUST go out and use it. As you will notice this class is more about “what you

do” than “what you know.” Just as the Art student learns to use tools, that student is not

likely to create his or her masterpiece in class. No, the student takes the skills learned in

class and applies them to create that masterpiece. Language Art works exactly the same

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way. It’s just the nature of language (and art). To learn this language, you must use it—in

your real life-- beyond your 50 minutes of daily class time.

You will log a minimum of 3 hours of Culture Contact using ASL outside of class with other

signers. There is a form for you to log your hours (Canvas) and a template for writing your

paper which will be due in the final week of the quarter--Don’t let this sneak up on you or

you run the risk of running out of time!

ASL Zone: This classroom is ASL Zone, avoid voicing or English mouthing during class time. Once the professor enters the classroom, please silence yourself and sign with your class peers. Talking without signing in the presence of a Deaf professor or any Deaf person is considered rude in Deaf culture. Write notes to each other if you must or SIGN! This NO VOICE rule will be enforced from the beginning until the end of the class. Disruptive students will be asked to leave the class.

Previous Knowledge of ASL:

Some of you may already know ASL from high school, previous classes, or from Deaf

relatives, friends, and co-workers. Please be mindful that most of your classmates have

never taken ASL or encountered a Deaf person before now.

Please stay with the pace of the course in vocabulary, speed, and knowledge of the Deaf-

World.

My Teaching vs. The Textbook:

ASL is a bona fide language that is used by Deaf people in the United States and in Canada

(except Quebec). Like English, there are “dialects” and “accents”. In ASL, they are called

regional signs or sign variations. Once in a while, you may see me sign differently than

shown in your textbook/DVD. When in doubt, follow what I teach/sign. (TWA was

developed in Texas.) Therefore, there will be few signs that are used by Deaf Texans but

are signed differently in the Seattle Metro area.) This is an opportunity for you to be

exposed to multiple ways of signing; it is not either/or, right/wrong.

Please give me up to 48 hours to reply to your email. If I have not responded within 48

hours, send a follow-up email. Generally, I do not reply to emails over the weekend.

Consider yourself very lucky if you do get a reply from me during the weekend.

Homework submission must be sent via Canvas.

Schedule:

We use the Canvas calendar.

Don’t let major assignments, quizzes, and homework assignments sneak up on you. The

schedule may change through the quarter, if you miss class, you may miss a schedule

change.

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Canvas:

Please familiarize yourself with Canvas. You will be using Canvas to access the syllabus,

ASL packet, to submit your assignments, and to view your grades, among other functions.

Writing Expectations:

All papers must be typed, double-spaced and in 12-point fonts (but none of those fancy,

cartoonish, thick or cursive fonts). In addition, all papers must be edited! I cannot

emphasize this enough.

All papers and citations must be in APA (American Psychological Assocation) format.

Workbook & DVD:

Bring your workbook to class every time. You are expected to participate in class lectures

and activities (games, role-playing, retelling, etc.). You are responsible for staying current

in your workbook by completing assignments and by watching segments in the DVD.

There will be random workbook checks. No make-up opportunities will be granted for

forgetting to bring the workbook or for not completing every task in the workbook.

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to consult with your classmates for any class

notes and assignments. Do not ask me. It would be practical if you exchange contact

information with at least three of your classmates for missed notes and assignments. (A

contact list has been created for you at the end of this syllabus.)

Also, because tardiness is not appreciated, please do not disturb the class. If you have to be

tardy, please take the seats closest to the door.

If you are going to be 15 (or more) minutes late, please do not come to class. When the

classroom door is closed, do not enter.

Fall Quarter: September 16-December 6

Non-Class Days:

Friday, October 4 (Conference—No classes) Tuesday, October 22 (College Day—No classes) Monday, November 11 (Holiday--No classes) Thursday, November 28 (Holiday--No classes) Friday, November 29 (Holiday--No classes) Tuesday, December 3 (Student Success Day--No classes)

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If and when class has started and I have not shown up, please wait 15 minutes before class

is automatically dismissed.

If a quiz or a test is given during your absence, a make-up opportunity will not be provided

unless you have prior communication with me and I have allowed a make-up. You will be

given a zero for the quiz or test. If you arrive late during a quiz or a test, you may only

begin at the point where the class is currently working. (Example: if you arrive 10 minutes

late and we’re on #6 on a quiz, you may work on #6 and onwards. You will not be allowed

to work on #1 to #5.)

Special Note:

Illness: Please use consideration of your classmates and my health as well as everyone else

on campus. If you have a contagious illness (such as a stomach bug, strep throat, pink eye,

H1N1, etc.), stay home!

Children: Life happens! We’ve all been in situations where we have no choice but to roll

with the punches. Those of you who have been blessed with children know that pretty well

and quite often. Unfortunately, due to liability issues, you may not bring your children

to class.

Absence & Attendance Checks:

Each week, I will submit your attendances in the Gradebook in Canvas. You have one week

to ensure that your attendances and absences are recorded accurately. If you come to me

to dispute an absence from 1 month ago, it will not be changed.

Remember that this is a skill-based course. For every absence, you fall behind in lessons

and language development. You will need to increase your work to stay current. If I see

that you’re falling behind in this course, I will recommend that you withdraw from the

course.

Federal Mandate: A recent federal mandate requires me to report your attendance. For

those of you who rely on financial aid (government, scholarships, military, etc.), please take

note. Your absences are reported immediately after class and your financial aid may be

reduced or stopped. It is your responsibility to ensure that you attend classes regularly

and consistently.

Note: Federal reporting of attendance does not recognize excused absences regardless if

you had legitimate reasons for being absent. Therefore, if you are not in class, you are

considered absent.

Due Process:

If you are not satisfied with my teaching, grading, policies, etc., please meet with me as soon

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as possible to discuss a resolution. Please do not wait an extended amount of time (ex. 5

weeks later or at the end of the semester) to raise a concern or complaint. If you are not

satisfied with our discussion/resolution, you may bring your concerns to: Melissa Massie;

Melissa.massie@bellevuecollege.edu.

Student Success Tips:

Planning Your Time

In order to be successful in this course, you need to be organized and manage your time

well so that you can complete all assignments on time. Outside of the classroom, you will

need to devote approximately 10-20 hours per week to complete the learning activities

required in this course. Make sure that you do not allow yourself to procrastinate, and that

you communicate with me if you have any questions on any course materials or need

assistance completing any assignments.

*Closing Statement*

You are about to embark on an exciting journey into the Deaf-World. Please grab every

opportunity that will enhance your ASL skills, such as attending Deaf events and ASL

workshops, meeting Deaf people and reading related materials.

Affirmation of Inclusion

Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of

the campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from

harassment and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College,

and students, faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with

dignity and respect.

As a proud member of the LGBTQ Community, my classroom is an LGBTQ Safe Space.

Regardless of your background, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, physical ability, skin

color, sexual orientation, we are all here to learn about a different culture: Deaf Culture. I

welcome your individuality, and I will defend your right to be yourself in the spirit of

learning and in an environment of mutual respect.-- We are all here to learn and I am

committed to maintaining an environment in which we ALL feel SAFE to do so.

Religious Holidays

Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or any other assignments as a

consequence of their religious observance should be provided with a reasonable

alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of

mailto:Melissa.massie@bellevuecollege.edu

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students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on

which they will be absent, preferably at the beginning of the term. Students who are absent

on days of examinations or class assignments should be offered an opportunity to make up

the work without penalty (if they have previously arranged to be absent), unless it can be

demonstrated that a makeup opportunity would constitute an unreasonable burden on a

member of the faculty. Should disagreement arise over what constitutes an unreasonable

burden or any element of this policy, parties involved should consult the department chair,

or Dean.

College Anti-Discrimination Statement (Title IX)

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity; color; creed;

national origin; sex; marital status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information;

the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; gender identity or veteran

status in educational programs and activities which it operates.

For further information and contacts, please consult College Anti-Discrimination

Statements.

Division Statements

Information about Bellevue College's copyright guidelines can be found at: College

Copyright Policy

This link provides a good, short summary of how to avoid plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism

“Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own

without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are

violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable

behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early

without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior

toward me or your classmates. I can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to

the Vice President of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue

College. Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the

Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Vice President of Student Services.”

The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety is located at:

http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp

Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity

Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of

another as one’s own without crediting the source), and fabrication and

inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/titleixhttp://www.bellevuecollege.edu/titleixhttp://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-3600/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-3600/http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtmlhttp://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp

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at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to,

talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell

phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward me or your classmates. I can

refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Success for

investigation. Specific student rights, responsibilities, and appeal procedures are listed in

the Student Code of Conduct at: Student Code

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law

applies to all schools that receive funds under applicable programs of the U.S. Department

of Education. Regardless of the age of the student, once a student enters post-

secondary education (college) this federal law protects the rights of the

student. Record information will be disclosed to family members only if a written

consent by the student is on file at the college. If you wish to give permission for

another person or agency to have access to your records, you may complete a Student

Information Release Authorization form and submit it to the Enrollment Services Office.

Otherwise, when inquiring about student records, the student must make the

inquiry.

For complete FERPA information, see the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of

1974.

Drop Procedure

If you decide to drop this course, you are responsible for completing the required

paperwork at the Student Services Center. Please follow these links for a full description of

how to drop and what the consequences are for missing drop deadlines.

Important Links

▪ Bellevue College E-mail and access to MyBC

All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail

account. Your student network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to

computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network and log in to MyBC.

To create your account, go to: Create Email

BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student

success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Technology Help

Desk

Academic Support Center

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-2050/http://s.bellevuecollege.edu/wp/sites/118/2016/12/FERPA-Student-Information-Release-Authorization-form.pdfhttp://s.bellevuecollege.edu/wp/sites/118/2016/12/FERPA-Student-Information-Release-Authorization-form.pdfhttp://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.htmlhttp://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.htmlhttp://www.bellevuecollege.edu/enrollment/faq/#how-do-i-add-or-drop-a-classhttp://www.bellevuecollege.edu/registration/withdrawing/https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/netid/http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/

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Visit TUTORING to see how to sign up for individual tutoring or show up at group tutoring

sessions listed on the site that begin usually during the second week of classes. Both

tutoring options are free.

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges

and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which

you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need

accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact them as soon as

possible.

If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire,

earthquake, etc, please meet with me to develop a safety plan within the first week of the

quarter.

If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional

access program available to you. Contact Autism Spectrum Navigators Email and phone

number is on the web page. ASN is located in the Library Media Center in D125.

The DRC office is located in B132 or you can call their reception desk at 425.564.2498. Deaf

students can reach them by Skype: the address is DRCatBC (NOTE: There is no @ sign...it is

actually DRCatBC). Please visit their website at Disability Resource Center for application

information into their program and other helpful links.

Accessibility

The online elements of this course are designed to be welcoming to, accessible to, and

usable by everyone, including students who are English-language learners, have a variety

of learning styles, have disabilities, or are new to online learning. Be sure to let me know

immediately if you encounter a required element or resource in the course that is not

accessible to you. Also, let me know of changes I can make to the course so that it is more

welcoming to, accessible to, or usable by students who take this course in the future.

Public Safety

Public Safety and Emergencies

Public Safety is located in the K building and can be reached at 425-564-2400 (easy to

remember because it’s the only office on campus open 24 hours a day—2400). Among

other things, Public Safety serves as our Parking Permits, Lost and Found, and Emergency

Notification center. Please ensure you are signed up to receive alerts through our campus

alerting system by registering at RAVE Alert Registration

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If you work late and are uneasy about going to your car, Public Safety will escort you to

your vehicle. To coordinate this, please phone ahead and let Public Safety know when and

where you will need an escort.

Please familiarize yourself with the emergency postings by the door of every classroom and

know where to go in the event of an evacuation. I will be asked if anyone might still be in

the building, so check in before you do anything else. Emergency responders will search

for anyone unaccounted for.

If a major emergency occurs, please follow these three rules:

1) Take directions from those in charge of the response - We all need to work together.

2) Do not get in your car and leave campus (unless directed to) - Doing so will clog streets

and prevent emergency vehicles from entering the scene. Instead, follow directions from

those in charge.

3) In an emergency, call 911 first, then Public Safety.

Please do not hesitate to call Public Safety if you have safety questions or concerns at any

time. You may also visit the Public Safety web page for answers to your questions.

Academic Calendar

The Bellevue College Academic Calendar is separated into two calendars. They provide

information about holidays, closures and important enrollment dates such as the finals

schedule.

Enrollment Calendar On this calendar you will find admissions and registration dates and

important dates for withdrawing and receiving tuition refunds.

College Calendar This calendar gives you the year at a glance and includes college holidays,

scheduled closures, quarter end and start dates, and final exam dates.

Class Procedures and Expectations:

It is expected that all students will perform professionally in preparing work required for

class. Class starts promptly at 12:30 pm. Please be punctual and prepared. Attendance

will be taken in each class. This course will use the functional-notional approach;

therefore, we will be doing activities (games, role-playing, etc.) as well as lectures.

You are expected to participate in class (such as copying signs that I show you). It does not

matter if you are Deaf, CODA (a Child of Deaf Adult), or have used ASL throughout your life

or for a significant length of time. You are expected to participate just like everyone else.

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Lost Items: I am not responsible for any personal items left behind in the classroom.

Contact BC Security to see if anyone has turned in your lost item(s).

Food & Drinks: I generally do not mind snack-sized food and drinks in the classroom. Do

not bring a 7-course meal to class. Chips and sodas and bottles of water are acceptable.

Please avoid bringing food that “stink up” the room like hard-boiled eggs or tuna

sandwiches. If you spill, please clean up your mess immediately.

Restrooms: There is no need for you to ask permission to go to the restroom. Just go.

Emergency Preparedness – Evacuations:

Please take a moment to review and familiarize yourself with evacuation routes in case of

emergencies (fire, hurricanes, etc.)

Course Grading System:

Your comprehension and production skills will be evaluated regularly. You will also be evaluated on your preparation for class activities and your assignments outside of the class.

There are a total of 1090-1590 points possible for this quarter. Your grade will be a

fraction of that number. You must achieve a minimum of a C grade to transfer to the next

level of ASL. (Actual total points may vary slightly based on added or deleted assignments).

Grading:

A 100-

95

A- 94-90

B+ 89-87

B 86-83

B- 82-80

C+ 79-77

C 76-73

C- 72-70

D+ 69-67

D

F

66-60

F 59 or

below