Nov 23, 2024

Catalog 2018-19

Catalog 2018-19 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

American Sign Language and Deaf Culture

Humanities & Social Sciences Pathway

Important Information

Short Description

This degree prepares students with the cultural competency and conversational-level fluency needed to engage with members of the American deaf and hard of hearing community. Students can apply the skills they learn in American Sign Language to a variety of job settings.

Type of Credential

Associate of Arts (A.A.)

Program Code

140

Contacts and Additional Information

Program Coordinator

Dr. Rebecca Minor, Assistant Professor

Catonsville Campus
Office: ARTS 204
443-840-4975 or rminor3@ccbcmd.edu

Additional Information

Opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - Contact the program coordinator for information on prior learning assessment opportunities. See Portfolio, Departmental Exam, CLEP, DSST, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate. Several General Education classes have PLA opportunities.
Articulation and Transfer Agreements - This degree is designed to articulate with other four-year programs in Deaf Studies, Interpreting, and Deaf Education. While there are no program-specific agreements, see other types of agreements such as guaranteed admission, block transfer, and discounts.

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education Courses .

Semester 1*

ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
HLTH 120 - Aging and Health 3 Credit(s).
or
HLTH 126 - Introduction to Holistic and Complementary Health 3 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Mathematics 3 Credit(s)
Gen. Ed. Elective - Information Technology 3 Credit(s)
ASLS 101 - American Sign Language I 3 Credit(s).

Semester 2

CMNS 101 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 Credit(s).
ASLS 121 - Introduction to American Deaf Culture 3 Credit(s).
ENGL 102 - College Composition II 3 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Biological & Physical Sciences 3-4 Credit(s)
ASLS 102 - American Sign Language II 3 Credit(s).

Semester 3

ASLS 203 - American Sign Language III 3 Credit(s).

Semester 4

PSYC 105 - Multicultural Psychology 3 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Biological & Physical Sciences 3-4 Credit(s)
ASLS 204 - American Sign Language IV 4 Credit(s).
ASLS 213 - Fingerspelling and Number Use in ASL 3 Credit(s).

Semester 5

SOCL 141 - Racial and Cultural Minorities 3 Credit(s).
ASLS 206 - American Sign Language V 4 Credit(s).
ASLS 211 - Linguistics of American Sign Language 3 Credit(s).
INTR 116 - Introduction to Interpreting 3 Credit(s).

Courses Needed for this Program*

General Education Requirements and Electives - 34-35 Credits

General Education Requirements:

ASLS 121 - Introduction to American Deaf Culture 3 Credit(s).
CMNS 101 - Fundamentals of Communication 3 Credit(s).
ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
ENGL 102 - College Composition II 3 Credit(s).
HLTH 120 - Aging and Health 3 Credit(s).
or
HLTH 126 - Introduction to Holistic and Complementary Health 3 Credit(s).
PSYC 105 - Multicultural Psychology 3 Credit(s).
SOCL 141 - Racial and Cultural Minorities 3 Credit(s).

General Education Electives:

Biological & Physical Sciences 7-8 Credit(s)
Information Technology 3 Credit(s)
Mathematics 3 Credit(s)

Program Requirements - 26 Credits

ASLS 101 - American Sign Language I 3 Credit(s).
ASLS 102 - American Sign Language II 3 Credit(s).
ASLS 203 - American Sign Language III 3 Credit(s).
ASLS 204 - American Sign Language IV 4 Credit(s).
ASLS 206 - American Sign Language V 4 Credit(s).
ASLS 211 - Linguistics of American Sign Language 3 Credit(s).
ASLS 213 - Fingerspelling and Number Use in ASL 3 Credit(s).
INTR 116 - Introduction to Interpreting 3 Credit(s). **

Total Number of Credits Required for Degree: 60

Notes

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

**This course includes ENGL prerequisites. Placement testing or transcript evaluation may be required for new CCBC students. Please contact Academic Advising for more information.

Program Description

The mission of CCBC’s Associate of Arts degree in American Sign Language and Deaf Culture is to prepare students with the cultural competency and conversational-level fluency needed to engage with members of the American deaf and hard of hearing community. Students can apply the skills they learn in American Sign Language to a variety of job settings. The curriculum includes expanded analysis of American Sign Language discourse and American Deaf Culture. Students will gain hands-on experience in ASL both expressively and receptively. The foundation from which we educate is based on admiration and respect for the American deaf community as a rich, diverse cultural and linguistic minority who value American Sign Language as their primary mode of communication. This program is designed for both first-time college students and returning students who seek to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

For new students with prior skills in American Sign Language (ASL), the department offers an assessment, for a fee, that may allow students to test out of some or all of the ASL courses and demonstrate fluency in ASL. Experienced students should contact the ASL and Interpreter Preparation office at (443) 840-4274 no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester to set up a screening appointment.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

function as independent users of American Sign Language both expressively and receptively;
utilize a variety of structure types in American Sign Language;
comprehend main points and standard language in ASL for familiar topics;
utilize conversational ASL in a variety of settings;
recognize Deaf Culture and its sub-cultures; and
be knowledgeable about Deaf history and literature.

Program Highlights

Recipient of over $1 million in endowment funding from the A. Eugene and Bernice Hoeper Foundation.
Students will participate in service learning opportunities with local deaf organizations.
2008 recipient of the commendable ASL Program Award from the American Sign Language Teachers Association of Maryland for commitment to the advancement of ASL programs.
Recognized in 2014 by the Maryland Governor’s office with a proclamation honoring 30 years of service and commitment to the education of students in ASL and Interpreting.