Syllabus

Semester/ Year Spring 2017

Course Number- Section 9688
Course Name ASL level I
Credit Hours 4

Signing Naturally: Student Workbook Units 1-6

by Smith, C. Lents, E, and Mikos, K, DawnSign Press, 2008
Textbooks / Materials ISBN:

GoReact www.goreact.com. You are required to sign up.

$20 for one semester.

Last Day to Add March 15, 2017

Drop with a W May 17, 2017
Room# LHS - 7114
Instructor Information:
Name Shmuel Khorsandi
Email Address: Will announce soon!s
Office Hours 6:30pm 7:30pm Same Room # 7114

Course Description:

This Course introduces the fundamental elements of American Sign Language within a cultural
context. Emphasis is placed on the development of basic expressive and receptive skills. Upon
completion, students will be able to comprehend and respond with grammatical accuracy to
expressive American Sign Language and demonstrate cultural awareness.

Learning Outcomes:

Goal 1: To assist students in developing their ASL receptive skills primarily and their
expressive and conversation skills secondarily

Objective: The student will be able to comprehend approximately 500 learned ASL
signs, fingerspelling, non-manual signals, numbers and linguistic features in both
 isolation and sentences, signed by the professor through the quizzes and final exam, and
by the lab assistant in the labs. (Receptive skills)

Objective 2: The student will be able to produce (signing) learned ASL vocabulary,
fingerspelling, non-manual signals, numbers and linguistic features in a grammatically
correct manner during class exercises and labs as observed by the professor in the classes.

Objective 3: The student will demonstrate an ability to use turn-taking skills and
listener feedback in his/her conversational skills as techniques which make
communication with Deaf people more effective, during class exercises and labs and
observed by the professor.

Goal 2: To assist students in understanding basic linguistic features

Objective 1: The student will be able to comprehend the ASL linguistic features both in
isolation and sentences as signed by the professor during the quizzes and final exam.

Goal 3: To assist students in gaining basic understanding about Deaf Community and Culture.
Objective 1: The student will demonstrate a basic understanding about Deaf Community
and Culture through the written portion of quizzes and final exam (Knowledge)

Objective 3: The student will be required to attend 3 Deaf community events to

appreciate and understand the Deaf community and to practice their conversational skills.

Core Competences:
As a Learning College, Camino College has identified four core competencies critical to the
success of graduates, either in the workplace or as they continue their education.

All graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in each of the following competencies that
go beyond simple content mastery:

Communication: the ability to read, write, speak, listen and use nonverbal skills effectively with
different audiences.

Critical Thinking: the ability to think using analysis, synthesis, evaluation, problem solving,
judgment, and the creative process.

Personal Growth and Responsibility: the ability to understand and manage self, to function
effectively in social and professional environments and to make reasoned judgments based on an
understanding of the diversity of the world community.

This course will address COMMUNICATION.

Evaluation/ Assement:

Student performance will be evaluated by the following:

a. Unit Quizzes
b. Book quiz
c. Expressive and conversational skill as observed (No voice used)
d. Final Exam

Grading Scale:
The following grade scale is used in this class:
A= 100% - 90%
B= 89% - 80%
C= 79%- 70%
D= 69% - 60%
F= 60% - below

Attendance:
Camino College established a strict attendance policy for all ASL courses. On time and regular
attendance is a requirement in the workplace and developing appropriate attendance behaviors is
part of the expectation of your education here Camino College. Good attendance habits also
demonstrate respect for the classroom environment, your instructors, and your peers. Poor
attendance habits are disruptive to everyones learning experience.

Courses that meet twice weekly: Students with more than 4 absences for 16 weeks
semester for any reason will fail the course, regardless of the number of assignments
completed and level of participation in other areas.

Three late arrivals or early departures will equal one absence. If the student is late, he/she
is responsible for informing the instructor at the end of class in order that his/her
attendance can be recorded. Students are responsible for all material and/ or information
covered or assigned in class during any absence.

If a student arrives class has begun but is less than 5 minutes late, it will be counted as a
tardy. If a student arrives more than 15 minutes late to class, it will be counted as an
absence. Three times tardy will equal one absence.

Language Policy:
The purpose of this policy is to facilitate language development for all students as rapidly as
possible. At Camino College we want to create an environment that is as close to an immersion
environment as possible. Student must use ASL in the classroom or any sponsored Deaf
community events, and when any Deaf individuals are in their presence. Students also are
strongly encouraged to continue to use ASL in the halls and public spaces of the college when
they are socializing and studying with their classmates and with all faculty and staff in the
program.

For ASL students:

ASL courses at Camino College Community are taught using a functional-notional, partial
immersion approach whereby the learners need to communicate drives language development.
A partial immersion approach, rather than a full immersion approach is required because there is
no country, per se, where a student can go to be completely immersed in an ASL only
environment. For all ASL student, during ASL classes and in the school spoken language is not
encouraged. If you are not able to communicate your thoughts in ASL then you are encouraged
to use gestures or written English as a last resort but you may NOT use spoken language even to
interpret for your peers. If a student persists in using spoken language when it is not permitted,
then the instructor reserves the right to drop the student from the class as the use of spoken
language in an ASL class is detrimental to learning environment for ALL students. In the event
that a student is really struggling to communicate with their instructor, then they can arrange to
meet with the instructor outside of class time with ASL-English interpreter to discuss their
concerns. This meeting can take place either in person.

Diversity and Tolerance:

ASL courses frequently explore variation and diversity in culture, values and identity. Naturally,
at times these topics can be sensitive in nature. People differ in many ways including distinction
of religious beliefs and values, diversity of attitudes toward ethnicity, disability, gender,
sexuality, spirituality, and national origin, and variation in political and interpersonal behaviors.
Exploring and understanding the diversity of human experience and behavior is a necessary part
of determining how to be effective and ethical practitioner. Opposing values and belief systems
are likely to emerge and be a natural part of the in class dialogue. While students are not
expected to conform to the beliefs and attitudes of others, students are expected to be tolerant
and respectful in listening to their peers opinions, including those that differ from their own, and
to offer their own opinions in a respectful manner. The goal is to create a safe and considerate
learning environment. That does not mean there will not be disagreement and conflict and at
times a need to agree to disagree.

Make-up work/ Extra Credit:

No extra credit work is given to an individual student. If it is given, it must be given to all
students equally.
You will not be allowed a make-up quiz in these instances. You are responsible for arranging
your personal schedule accordingly. In the case of legitimate documented absences like
emergency hospitalization, death in the family, please see the instructor about taking a make up
quiz. The make up quiz must be completed at the time agreed upon by instructor and student.
You must let the instructor know in advance per email about the make up test, Prior (at least one
class in advance or one weekend before Monday) to missing the scheduled test due to the
situation. If you have to miss the quiz or exam due to an emergency, you MUST notify the
instructor immediately at least 24 hours prior to the quiz or exam. Only one make-up test is
allowed per semester. Students failing to keep appointments to make up work will receive a
grade of ZERO for that work.

Faculty/Classroom Expectations:
Use of any electronic device in the classroom, including but not limited to audio and video
recording devices, is prohibited, unless the student using the device has the specific permission
of the faculty. Cell phones, pagers, blackberries and other wireless devices are to turned off and
removed from public view upon entering the class. If you have a situation that requires that your
electronic device be left on, please put it on vibrate/silent mode and leave the room to take your
call.
Under no circumstances are electronic devices allowed in the classroom during tests/exams.

Assignments:
Attached is a course calendar that lists the planned lectures, activities, and assignment for each
class meeting. Should the calendar change for any reason, you will be notified by your instructor.
Students are expected to adhere to the schedule and any announced modifications.

All assignments are due before the class ends. If you could not come to the class for any reason,
send your assignment to the instructor electronically (GOREACT) before the class begins. Then
handle the hardcopy of your assignment to the instructor next day or next class. Failure to do so,
the grade for that assignment will be zero.

Academic Integrity
Any student who violates the El Camino College Code of Student Integrity is subject to
academic disciplinary action. Such action may include, but is not limited to, entry of the incident
in the records of the Office of Student Development, reduced grades, and dismissal from college
classes, programs and activities.
Special Services Certification
Students who have a documented disability or who may think they may have a learning problem
may contact the office of Service for Students with Disabilities at.. Instructors will provide the
necessary accommodations upon the advice of the Office of Services for Students with
Disabilities.

Withdrawals and Incompletes:

While withdrawing from a course is sometimes necessary, it is advisable to discuss this with the
instructor before withdrawing. For those experiencing academic difficulty, El Camino College
Academic Learning Center offers free individualized and small group tutoring, computer tutorial,
and strategies for improving learning skills. Additionally, before withdrawing, consider whether
this course is prerequisite for another class; whether the course will be offered again in the
future; whether withdrawing will delay plans to transfer graduation; or whether withdrawing will
affect eligibility for honors designation, health insurance benefits, or other financial
arrangements.
Please read, sign, and date this page, tear it from your syllabus and give it to your instructor.

Semester/Year: Spring 2017

Course Number Section: ASL

Course Name: American Sign Language Level I

Instructor: Shmuel Khorsandi (Sammy)

I have read the syllabus for the above class. I understand that I am accountable for all the information
contained in this syllabus. I have been given the opportunity to clarify any questions that I have.

Students Name (Please Print) ________________________________________________________

Students signature _____________________________________________________

Date _____________________________
Course Outline:

Week 1: 2/28/17 3/9/17 Unit 1: Introducing Oneself

Deaf Awareness Survey
Parameters of ASL
Cardinal numbers 1-10
Same or different
Quiz on Syllabus - 3/9/17

Week 2: 3/13/17 3/17/17 Unit 2: Exchange Personal Information

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14