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Department of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
PST 304 – American Sign Language IV (3 credits)
Formal Course Description
This course is a continuation of ASL 201/PST 303, comprehension and production skills emphasizing
on complex grammar, short stories, narratives, and interactive use of ASL. The student will continue to
study in depth about the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture globally. ASL 201 and 202 are equivalent
to ASL 112.
Prerequisite: ASL III with a grade of “B” or better, or equivalent and permission of program
coordinator
ASL2 Program’s Mission Statement
Gallaudet University’s ASL2 Program is dedicated to providing an exemplary array of comprehensive and
interactive curricula for individuals interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL) as a second
language or foreign language. Using direct instruction and immersion in ASL, augmented by written
English and visual learning supports, the program’s instructors engage learners in acquiring and
developing increasing levels of proficiency in expressive and receptive use of the language. They also
guide student’s exploration of the development of the language, its complexities and relevance in
American Deaf communities.
Gallaudet University’s Student Learning Outcomes
http://www.gallaudet.edu/Documents/Academic/EMGSGallaudet_Student_Learning_Outcomes.pdf
http://www.gallaudet.edu/general_studies_program/mission_and_outcomes.html
ASL and Deaf Studies Department’s ASL as Second Language (ASL2)Program Outcomes
and their relation to Gallaudet University SLOs are:
ASL2 Program Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate the ability to
comprehend and express ideas in ASL in
person and through digital technologies.
GU SLOs
1, 3, and 4
(ACTFL 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 5.1)
2. Students will demonstrate their
knowledge of ASL as it is used in other
academic disciplines.
(ACTFL 3.1)
PST 304: American Sign Language IV
1, 2, 4, and 5
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ASL2 Program Student Learning Outcomes
GU SLOs
1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of
Deaf communities through comparisons of ASL and
their own languages and cultures.
(ACTFL 2.1, 2.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
4. Students will demonstrate understanding of the
benefits of learning ASL and becoming bilingual or
multilingual. (ACTFL 3.2)
Note: The program outcomes and SLOs are modified from "Learning Outcomes for American Sign Language Skills Levels 1-4"
authored by Kim Brown Kurz, Ph.D. and Marty Taylor, Ph.D. which is based on ACTFL's standards for foreign language. ACTFL
stands for American Council for Teachers of Foreign Language.
PST 304 – American Sign Language IV’s course outcomes
PST 304 Course SLOs
Critical
Assessments
Assessment
Tool(s) and
Expected Level
Comprehend and express Pair and small
Using
oneself with advanced
group
assignment-tied
level ASL vocabulary
exercises,
checklists, and
and correct grammar in
and/or
ASL rubrics for
person, small groups and presentations. comprehension
through digital
and production
technologies
skills at
intermediate
level. Target
level of B or
better in
assessments.
Engage, debate and
exchange information
and perspectives on
topics of Deaf culture
and related products in
group settings
successfully at
intermediate level.
Debate in
Assignment-tied
classroom,
checklists
class exercises
and/or using
and/or
ASL rubrics for
presentations
intermediate
level. Target
level of B or
better in
assessments
PST 304: American Sign Language IV
ASL
Program
SLOs
GU SLOs
1 and 2
1 and 2
3 and 4
1, 2, 3 and 5
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PST 304 Course SLOs
Critical
Assessments
Assessment
Tool(s) and
Expected Level
ASL
Program
SLOs
GU SLOs
Engage in discussion
Inclusion of Assignment-tied
and exchange more
other
checklists
information and
disciplines in
and/or using
perspectives on topics of
the unit
ASL rubrics for
other disciplines in
quizzes and/or the knowledge
person and group
class exercises
of other
settings.
disciplines at
intermediate
level. Target
level of B or
better in
assessments.
1, 2 and 3
1
Compare and contrast
students’ languages and
cultures with those of
deaf communities on
grammatical and
discourse structures, and
cultural products,
practices and
perspectives at
intermediate level.
Inclusion of
language and
cultural
comparisons,
in quizzes,
mid-term
and/or final
exams.
Assignment-tied
checklists
and/or using
ASL rubrics for
understanding
of comparison
with other
language(s) and
culture(s) at
intermediate
level. Target
level of B or
better in
assessments.
3 and 4
1, 2, 3 and 5
Ability to articulate and
demonstrate
intermediate
grammatical features
that make ASL a
complex human
language.
Unit quizzes,
short
presentations
and/or paper
and/or video
for reflection
Assignment-tied
checklists
and/or using
ASL rubrics for
the
understanding
of grammatical
features at the
intermediate
level. Target
level of B or
better in
assessments.
1, 3 and 4
1 and 5
PST 304: American Sign Language IV
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PST 304 Course SLOs
Critical
Assessments
Assessment
Tool(s) and
Expected Level
ASL
Program
SLOs
Engage and converse
information and share
perspectives with deaf
community members at
the intermediate level.
Attendance of Assignment-tied 1, 2, 3 and 4
two separate
checklists
deaf event,
and/or using
projects and ASL rubrics for
reflection
production
videos.
skills at
intermediate
level. Target
level of B or
better in
assessments.
GU SLOs
1, 3 and 5
Required Course Purchases
Smith, C., Lentz, E., & Mikos, K. (2014). Signing naturally Unit 7-12. Student workbook
and DVD. San Diego, CA: DawnSignPress.
ISBN: 978-1-58121-221-1
For this course, we will use GoReact. GoReact is a web-based tool for recording
your video assignments and for instructor to provide video feedback and
instructions. You will find it easy to use and very helpful for this semester. The
cost is $19.95 per course. Please wait for the invitation link from your instructor.
When you click on the link, you’ll be prompted to register and pay with your
credit/debit card or use your bookstore code purchased from Bison store.
Use BlackBoard where you will receive all course handouts, lecture notes,
assignments, announcements, etc.
Learner Assessment
Outcomes, assignments, and assessments are located in the charts at the start of this syllabus. Here is an
overview of the points assigned to each assessment so that you can gauge the relative weight of each
assignment relative to the final grade.
Grading Allocation
Weight
GoReact Assignments (6)
25%
Deaf Event (2)
10%
VLOG (2)
10%
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Grading Allocation
Weight
Quizzes (4)
35%
Final Class Presentation
20%
Grading System
A
93.00% - 100%
A-
90.00% - 92.99%
B+
87.00% - 89.99%
B
83.00% - 86.99%
B-
80.00% - 82.99%
C+
77.00% - 79.99%
C
73.00% - 76.99%
C-
70.00%-72.99%
D+
67.00% - 69.99%
D
60.00% - 66.99%
F
Below 60%
On-Campus Credit Hours
This course is a 3-credit course, which means that students are expected to do at least 112.5 hours of
course-related work or activity during the semester. This includes scheduled class-lecture/discussion
meeting times as well as time spent completing assigned activities, studying for rests and examinations,
preparing video assignments and other course-related tasks.
Student workload
expectations for 3-credit
courses
Total in-Class hours
Total outside-of-class
Total hours
Fall 2016 semester course
meeting 3 hours per week for
lecture/discussion
37.5
75
112.5
GoReact Assignments
In this course, there is in total of ten GoReact assignments. To be able to receive a grade for your video
assignment, submission through GoReact is the only acceptable way. All GoReact assignments must be
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submitted in ASL using the standard conventions of ASL grammatical structure. The video content will
be organized according to the rubrics provided on Blackboard. Every GoReact video length varies,
however, the maximum of minutes for all videos is three minutes. If GoReact renovates and prevents you
from submitting your video assignment on time, please email your instructor, explaining the situation and
share your YouTube link.
Deaf Event(s)
Attending two deaf community event in the vicinity area is mandatory to immerse yourself in an ASL
signing environment and utilize vocabulary, grammar, etc. learned in the class. The video must be
between one to three minutes. To earn a good grade, the video should include the following list:
1) A summary of the event
2) Report your findings and/or experience
3) Your reflective thoughts
VLOG(s)
Watch, review and react to two video blogs (VLOGS) focusing on Deaf related issues. You will find two
vlogs provided by instructor listed in Blackboard under ASL resources.
Quiz (Unit 18, 21, 19 and 20)
You will be given the opportunity to narrate a story posted in the course outline based on what you have
learned in the class. Both comprehension and production skills will be evaluated along with linguistic and
historical knowledge of language.
Final Class Presentation
Group of students will be given the opportunity to plan a weekend or short trip including a list of
activities for the trip for the entire class in the classroom. This group presentation must contribute equally
when presenting. The presentation should be at least three minutes in length and no more than five
minutes. Final class presentation guideline and rubric are provided in the Blackboard under the tab of
Final class presentation in the left column.
Course Expectations, Policies and Procedures
Course Format
This course consists of engaging in class discussions and activities, and viewing online lectures as well
as academically-related videos in ASL.
Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to actively participate by attending class and completing assigned activities,
participate in class discussions, serve in groups, complete answers with reasons, explanations and
documentation from a variety of sources. If you are physically present but not engaged in class (listening
to devices through earphones, using your phone during class, etc.), you will be asked to leave the
classroom and your attendance will be count as one tardy.
Classroom Etiquette
Basic classroom etiquette includes turning off external electronic devices that may interfere with class
participation, arriving on time for class, staying the entire period and avoiding behavior that interferes
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with the concentration and learning of other students. Attention should be given to the instructor, guest
speakers, and fellow students.
Expectation for communication in class
Since ASL is visual language, use of spoken English or of speaking and signing simultaneously (“simcom”) is not allowed during class time, including breaks. Monitoring of this will be the responsibility of
every student in the room during class and during break. Students using voice or signing/voicing
simultaneously will be asked to leave the classroom until the next session with no expectations. This will
be counted as unexcused absence.
Attendance
You are expected to attend every class. You are expected to arrive on time and stay the entire class
period. You will be allowed two absence. After your two absence has been used, you will lose 2 points
from your overall course grade for each class that you miss, regardless of the reason. (If you had four
absence and you got 93% for your final grade, you would end up with 89% after losing 4 points due to
two over-the-limit absences.) Two tardy constitute an absence.
Peer-Network
Each student is responsible for getting access to and understanding what is expected of each assignment.
Please form a strong network with your peers. If you miss a class, go to Blackboard for assignments and
ask other classmates to learn about what you missed.
Assignments
All assignments are to be submitted as instructed. Late submissions will not be accepted except
communicating within 24 hours in advance. The instructions are to be followed meticulously.
Deadlines
Assignments are due at the time of submitting before 11:59 p.m. on specific dates provided on Course
Schedule. Quizzes, projects, and GoReact assignments not being submitted on time will receive a zero.
No late submissions will be accepted after the deadlines. Allowance will be made in the event of
inclement weather, an unforeseen situation on the instructor’s end or communication made in advance by
student as according to Assignments section above.
Editing ASL works
You are required to edit your ASL videos. You are more than welcome to meet with your instructor
and/or your teacher aid to get the feedback as often as needed to produce the very best work possible.
Example of the academic ASL video is posted on BB.
Office hours & appointments
Please email your instructor if you like to meet with her at a specific time, and your instructor will be sure
to make herself available for you. Please keep your appointments with her, and if you have to cancel,
please communicate by emailing the instructor in advance.
Inclement weather or any cancelled classes
If the university closes for any reason or if the class is cancelled unexpectedly, please check your
Gallaudet email or the announcement of section of Blackboard for further instructions.
Student Grievance Procedure
Complaints about course grade must first be resolved through your instructor, the program coordinator,
the department chair and then the Provost in the order until a resolution is reached.
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Academic Integrity Policy Statement
It is the student's responsibility to familiarize themselves and comply with the Gallaudet University
Undergraduate/Graduate Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found in the Gallaudet University
Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog or on the Gallaudet University website at:
http://www.gallaudet.edu/academic_catalog/registration_and_policies/graduate_policies/academic_integrity.html
OSWD Academic Accommodation Policy
Students have the responsibility of formally requesting accommodation through the Office for Students
With Disabilities (OSWD) at the beginning of the semester. For information on your right under the
ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act please see:
http://www.gallaudet.edu/office_for_students_with_disabilities.html
Tentative Course Schedule
Any changes to the course schedule will be announced in class, through email and/or posted in the
Blackboard.
PST 304: American Sign Language IV