Mt.

SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE

SIGN 102 - American Sign Language 2

Spring 2019 *February 25- June 15, 2019
CRN 40658: * UNITS: 4 * Room: 26D-G220

Class Information:
DAY: Mondays & Wednesdays TIME: 6:45 PM – 8:50PM
PREREQUISITE: American Sign Language 101 (ASL 1) or Equivalent.

Professor Contact Information and Office Hours:

Irene Robles
Email: irobles12@mtsac.edu (Canvas preferred, as I typically communicate with my classes here.)
If I do not respond to your email within 48 hours, I probably did not receive it; therefore, please resend.

Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays-3:00pm-4:00pm RM:_____; email correspondence-Fridays 1:00pm-4:00pm

COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS: I send out announcements and emails through Canvas. It is your responsibility
to check Canvas and your student email account often.

Course Description:
This is a continued introductory course in American Sign Language that builds the linguistic and cultural knowledge of
ASL and Deaf Culture. You will study more advanced vocabulary, ASL sentence structures, and social conventions
involved in ASL. You will demonstrate intermediate elements of the language and explore its use as a multi-cultural
tool to aid in the understanding of Deaf Culture. You will have a good idea of what the “Deaf experience”
encompasses and will be able to carry on casual conversations in the language. This class is taught in ASL (Please
refrain from using your voice in class in order to be fully immersed in ASL).

Student Learning Outcomes:

According to Mt. SAC’s Sign Language/Interpreting Department,
• Describing Locations. By the end of SIGN 102, American Sign Language 2, 70% of students will be able to
successfully comprehend a signed presentation that locates objects in a room.

• Language and Culture, Humanities Area C GEO (Copy). Students completing an assignment in Humanities Area
C will be able to identify the influence of culture on human expression.

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 COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course will cover the following language skills:

Unit 7 - asking for advice - giving opinions about

- identifying present people Unit 9 tendencies
- describing personal items - discussing neighborhoods - giving opinions about
Unit 8 - describing your own personal qualities
- making requests neighborhood - comparing personal
- agreeing with conditions Unit 10 qualities

Student will develop the following learning strategies:

- Focusing on meaning rather than individual sign during a conversation
- confirming the information by asking questions or using the sign in context
- focusing on the whole rather than parts of the message

Required Text and Materials:(textbook available in library)

Lentz, E.M.,Mikos, J., &Smith, C.(2014). Signing Naturally Units 7-12,
Student DVD and Workbook. San Diego: Dawn Sign Press.
ISBN: 978-1-58121-221-1(req.) $84.95
• 1080p or 720p Video Camera (or use library’s)
• GoREACT $20.00-Register Via Canvas
• Access to Canvas for Supplemental Resources, Video Links, and your Grades.
• Ear plugs strongly encouraged to avoid spoken English
and immerse yourself in ASL.

Assessments of Learning and Grading Allocation:

Assignments Weight Languages
Active Participation & In-Class 25% Group Activities & ASL
Dialogue
Papers and Videos 25% GoReact & ASL Social ASL/English
3-4 Benchmarks 25% Units 7,8,9 and part of 10 ASL/English
1 Comprehensive/Productive 25% Exit Interview ASL
Final
Grades are weighted based on the percentages above. In other words, dividing the points you earn, by the points possible,
will not work. The breakdown of final grades is listed below. You must have a C or higher to pass the class and/or move
on to the next level.

Letter Grade Equivalent Percentage %

A 100-90
B 89-80
C 79-70
D 69-60
F 59 or less

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Course Policies and Procedures:

Class Expectations and Student Behavior - One of the best ways to learn a new language is
total immersion; this means communicating in ASL at ALL times. The use of voice during class takes away from full
immersion in ASL. Those consistently using their voices will be asked to consider the purpose of the course
description. Those who cannot follow the “No Voice Expectation (NVE)” will be considered disruptive and will be
asked to leave the class. *You will also sign contract on the 4th day of class. Additionally, no other disruptive
behaviors will be tolerated in the course. Please review the Mt. SAC college policy for further details.

Attendance and Participation- This course relies on the active participation of all students.
Please make every effort to come to every class on time with assignment(s) done and ready to learn and participate.
If you do not participate in group activities, points will be deducted. When you miss a class, you miss key concepts
and vocabulary that are not easily made up. If situations arise where you must miss class, you are responsible
for any missed work and handouts when you are absent. I suggest you make arrangements with a fellow
classmate to get all notes and handouts while you are gone (do not email me for them).

Dropping Students - IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP

Deadline to drop without a W is March 10th and drop with a W is May 3rd.

Tardy and Leave-Early Policy-Due to the nature of this course, late arrivals and early leaves are a
tremendous distraction to the entire class. This portion of your grade measures the daily efforts you
make to present and engaged in class, both of which are essential to a productive classroom
environment. Please communicate with your professor upon your late arrival or early departure.

Submitting Papers/Videos Assignments- All assignments must be turned in via online/in class
at the beginning of the class on the day they are due, regardless of your attendance. No Exceptions. The
instructions are to be followed meticulously. Assignments not submitted on time will receive a zero.

Technology- Checking cell phone and/or pagers (text messaging) during class is not permitted.
Students using phones distracts us teachers; therefore, all cell phones must be put away
during class time. If you are expecting an emergency call, please inform me in advance.
Taking pictures/video in class including peers, your instructor, or PowerPoint without
permission is forbidden, as it violates the privacy of others.

Academic Integrity- Refer to the Mt. SAC “Student Integrity Policy” in the course catalogue for the
complete policy. In summary, “all examinations, quizzes, assignments, and other gradable work done by the student
[must be] that particular student’s own individual production, [which] has not benefited from unauthorized assistance
from other sources.” This also includes the submission of personal work prepared for other classes. At the instructor’s
discretion, incidents of cheating may result in a score of zero on the assigned work, a reduction of final grade by one
letter grade, an “F” grade in the course.

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Types of Assignments:
Throughout this course you will be completing several types of assignments to help build your ASL skills and discover
the values and characteristics of the Deaf community.
* Detailed guidelines and rubrics are available on Canvas. Please refer to these before and while you complete each
assignment.

HOMEWORK (active participation & in class)

You will be assigned homework from your workbook and/or handouts weekly.

VIDEO and paper ASSIGNMENTS (papers and videos)

During the semester, you will film yourself signing a story presented in your text or other review activities, to
demonstrate vocabulary and grammatical mastery of the topics covered within the unit. All papers will be submitted
ONLINE. (VIA GOREACT)

ASL SOCIAL ASSIGNMENTS(papers and videos)

You are encouraged to attend TWO ASL Events. After the first event, you will write a one page reflection paper and
submit via Canvas. The second Event you will submit a video through Canvas.
Guidelines, rubrics, and suggested activities are available on Canvas.

BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS (benchmarks)

At the end of each unit, you will take a benchmark assessment to measure your progress in
class and determine your level of knowledge of ASL production and comprehension ASL skills
as well as of culture and grammar concepts. Makeup exams are allowed ONLY with the consent of
the instructor. It must be made up within the week.

Comprehension/Production Final/Exit Interview (final)

At the end of each unit, you will take a benchmark assessment to measure your progress in class and determine your
level of knowledge of ASL production and comprehension ASL skills as well as of culture and grammar concepts.
Makeup exams are allowed ONLY with the consent of the instructor. It must be made up within the week.

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Assignment Formatting and Submission:
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: Papers are to be turned in through Canvas.
• Cover page with heading (not on body) • Double-spaced with 1-inch margins

VIDEO ASSIGNMENTS and ASSESSMENTS: submitted to GoREACT through Canvas.

Filming: If instructions are not followed, your video may not be accepted.
Make sure to BACKUP all of your videos!
– Background: if you film at home, choose a solid, plain background that contrasts your skin tone (for library
filming, try your best).
– Clothing: professional in style and is a solid color
that contrasts your skin tone but is different than
your background. No gum.
– Lighting: good lighting all around. Do not use back
lighting or film in front of a window. Try to avoid
shadows if possible.
– Positioning: the camera must be directly in front of you and capture your “signing window” as shown in the
picture to the right. Standing is preferred,
but sitting up straight is acceptable to maintain camera angle.
– Filming clarity: Make sure you have a camera that is capable of filming high quality. Videos that
are blurry or slow will not be accepted. Try not to have your camera on “Auto Focus” and a
tripod is recommended for stability.
– Other notes: feel free to take as many “takes” as you want to get it right,
but the whole video needs to be made in one shot (no editing).

For Uploading
– You will film/upload your video to the appropriate assignment
Videos filmed will automatically submit through Canvas. Make sure you only submit one video per
assignment.
– Instructor feedback will be left through GoREACT so check your video again after you see your grade has
been entered into Canvas
– Instructor feedback will be explained in class.

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Resources:
Students with Different Abilities (disabilities)-
Mt. SAC strives to make all of our courses accessible to everyone. If you have special needs,
please let me know as soon as possible. Additionally, you are encouraged to seek
accommodation for verified disabilities or medical conditions by contacting Disabled Students
Programs and Services (9-B Student Services) and making a request. If you prefer you may
contact the 504/ADA officer in Human Resources located in the Administration Building (Building
4) to receive authorization for classroom accommodations.

Interested in continuing your ASL Studies?

Mt. SAC offers an AS degree in American Sign Language/Interpreting as well as Sign
Language/Interpreting certificate. Please see your instructor if you are interested in these and/or
you are considering transferring to a Deaf Studies major or Interpreter Training Program.
There are various fields where a degree in ASL is applicable (teaching, interpreting, counseling,
social work, ADA consultant, community educator, etc.).

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 How can I be successful in ASL?
§ Review book prior to each class.

§ Take notes and ask/answer questions in class.

§ Read the textbook and make flashcards of all new information.

§ Review your vocabulary/notes nightly.

§ Utilize resources and study tools on Canvas.

§ Watch all DVD clips and answer questions in your textbook,

even if they are not assigned.

§ Record yourself signing regularly and watch.

§ Visit the SSSC often and show the ASL tutor your ASL videos

§ Practice signing with your peers outside of class.

§ Form study groups.

§ Study for all exams

§ Go to Deaf events and become involved in the community

§ Come to class every session and keep a positive attitude!

7 * Syllabus is subject to change.

 ASL 102 Tentative Schedule-Spring 2018
(This schedule is subject to change based on time and class cancelations. Please be flexible.)

# Date Due Today Lesson in Class HOMEWORK ü

1 2/25 Intro, syllabus, and review
2 2/27 Review of ASL 101 (8:2, 8:6)

3 3/4 Review and Asking for a Sign: ACTIVITIES (8:8)

Discuss Cultural
7:11 – Greetings and Leaving
4 3/6 8:13 – Minimizing Interruptions
9:13 - Keeping others Informed
10:10 Interrupting Others
8:3-Agreement Verbs 1
5 3/11
8:9-Agreement Verbs 2

6 3/13 8:5-Negations 1
8:11-Negations 2

7 3/18 8:1-Explaining a Situations and Making a Request

8:4- Agreeing with Condition
8:7-Conjunction, What You Forgot to do and Asking for
Advice
8 3/20
8:10-Conjunction, What Unexpectedly Happened, and
Explaining Situation
9 3/25 8:7 & 8:10 [Cont-]

8:14 Name signs and REVIEW

10 3/27

Unit 8
11 4/1
Comprehension & Productive Exam

9:3-Giving the Time 1

12 4/3
9:6-Yes-No Questions 1
9:12-Yes-No Questions 2
9:1-Describing a Neighborhood 1
13 4/8
9.4-Describing a Neighborhood 1, Using Rhetorical
Questions
9:2-Places in the Neighborhood
14 4/10
9:5-Giving Directions: Next to, Across from

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 9:8-Giving Directions: Where to Turn
15 4/15
9:11-Giving Directions: Perspective Shift

9:11 [Cont-] and REVIEW

Giving directions: perspective shift, and Y/N questions
16 4/17
part 2; work on “My neighborhood” and/or unit
review/self-assessment

Unit 9
17 4/22
Comprehension & Production Exam
7:5-Translating Sentences with “Have” 1
18 4/24 7:6-Translating Sentences with “To Drive,” “To Take,”
and “To Pick Up”
7:10-Translating Sentences with “Have” 2
7:12-Translating Sentences with “To Drive,” “To Take,”
19 4/29
and “To Pick Up” 2

7:3-Guess My Number
20 5/1 7:9-Telling the Year
7:7-Asking How Many

7:1-Identifying a Person
21 5/6 7:2-Clothing Related Words
7:4-Describing Personal Items

22 5/8 7:4 [Cont-] &REVIEW Unit Review/Self-Assessment

Unit 7
23 5/13
Comprehension & Productive Exam
10:1-Temporal Aspect
24 5/15 10:4-Predicative Adjective
10:3-Wh-word Questions 1
10:3 [Cont-]
25 5/20
10:6-Using Role Shift to Describe situation

10:6 [Cont-]
26 5/22
10:9-Comparing Personal Qualities

27 ******MEMORIAL DAY-NO CLASS******

5/27

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28 5/29 10:9 [Cont-] & REVIEW

REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM

29 6/3

30 6/5 EXIT INTERVIEW PRODUCTIVE FINAL-Schedule TBA

EXIT INTERVIEW PRODUCTIVE FINAL-Schedule TBA

31 6/10
7:30pm-10:00pm

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