American Sign Language (ASL)

The department of American Sign Language (ASL) takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States, Canada and globally. The program promotes the understanding of the deaf and hard of hearing community as a linguistic and cultural group.

It encourages students to analyze existing stereotypes and policies relating to deaf and hard-of-hearing people, to work both within their communities and in effecting change to better engage with this group.

Sign language is based on the idea that sight is the most useful tool a deaf and hard of hearing individual has at their disposal in order to communicate and receive information.

American Sign Language (ASL) is growing in popularity as many students choose to learn it because it is a fascinating language to learn. Thus, ASL uses hand shape, position, and movement; body movements; gestures; facial expressions; and other visual cues to form words. Not only is ASL a fun language to learn, but it is also popular because of the variety of situations where it can be used. Currently, ASL is the fourth most commonly used language in the United States. ASL can be used in many other areas, such as:

ASL in the workplace

Deaf and hard of hearing education

Teaching ASL

Counseling

Interpreting

Social Work

The students should be prepared to:

1. Provide courses to develop competencies and fluency in American Sign Language.

2. Provide students with the history and development of American Sign Language and other communication techniques used among D/deaf people.

3. Provide students with an overview of education for D/deaf and hard of hearing persons and standard technology used by this population.

4. Provide an introduction and study of theoretical models of interpreting, interpreter roles, functions, responsibilities, communication strategies, and ethical standards applied to consecutive and simultaneous interpreting in various settings.

5. Provide students with the direct application of the principles, vocabulary, and techniques used in interpreting educational settings.

6. Provide students with community resources and interaction with Deaf individuals to promote knowledge and skills necessary for the workforce.

In the progress of Associate of Arts degree of Achievement is offered for ASL Studies. In the area of ASL Studies, students will obtain knowledge and skills of American Sign Language (ASL), focusing on the uniqueness of ASL as a language and Deaf Culture. The progress to providing students with a pathway to transfer the AA degree to the university level applies to the first two years of a BA/BS degree

Literature & Language Arts Division – Natasha Jackson Jacksonn@mjc.edu (209) 575-6149