Terry Syllabus

Eyeth University: Department of Linguistics
ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature

https://canvas.eyeth.edu/courses/ASL350
Gallaudet University: MASLED. Project 6 Course Module.pdf
Syllabus
Semester: 2017 Spring

Unique #: 39925
Class times: Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:00 - 3:30PM
Class location: CLA 4.222
Instructor: Lauren Clerc
Office: CLA 4.624
Office hours: TTh 4:00 - 5:00PM or by appointment
Email: lauren.clerc@eyeth.edu
Online course information and assignments available through Canvas: canvas.eyeth.edu
CATALOG DESCRIPTION ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature (3 Credit units)
Exploration and analysis of storytelling, folklore, poetry, and music of the American Deaf
community. Analysis and interpretation of musical lyrics into visual concepts; study and
performance of ASL poetry, hand-shape and ABC stories. Study of Deaf folklore and other
forms of oral storytelling traditions. Performance required.
Prerequisite: ASL 275 (may be taken concurrently).
COURSE & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Eyeth University Department of Linguistics: American Sign Language
I. Possess basic language skills in order to participate in and produce conversations, narratives
and discussions in ASL.
II. Identify key aspects of literary traditions in the Deaf communities and its culture.
III. Use digital media (i.e. YouTube, DVD, etc.) and tools to demonstrate ASL & ASL literature
skills.
COURSE TIMELINE
Unit Week Topic Materials
1 WEEK 1 Introduction to ASL 350 Course Course Syllabus

NPE Introduction & Elements
WEEK 2 NPE Characters & Stories

Video Project Draft
WEEK 3 NPE Overview & Video Project Final
2 WEEK 4 VV Introduction & Elements
WEEK 5 VV Mime, Gesture, Classifiers &

Personification
Video Project Draft
WEEK 6 VV Overview & Video Project Final
3 WEEK 7 ABC Introduction & Elements
WEEK 8 ABC Analysis & Evaluate ABC

Handshapes
Video Project Draft
WEEK 9 ABC Overview & Video Project Final
4 WEEK 10 PFV Introduction & Elements
WEEK 11 PFV Transitions & Imagery

Video Project Draft
WEEK 12 PFV Overview & Video Project Final
ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor - Updates will be posted on Canvas.
Gallaudet University DST 710 Project 6: Module Development
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5 WEEK 13 PVVCL Introduction & Elements
WEEK 14 PVVCL Morphing, Parallelism &

Transitions
Video Project Draft
WEEK 15 PVVCL Overview & Video Project Final

Wrap up party with ASL Literature Film
Fest
Schedule for Spring 2017: (Note: this is subject to change; updates will be posted on
Canvas)
REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
1 2 3 4 5
Note: The materials listed here will be used for both ASL 601D and ASL 610D.
Anderson-Gunter, J. (Director). (2007). Reflections of a black deaf woman [Motion picture on

DVD]. USA: MIANBA Productions.
DPAN (Director). (2013, November 24). DPAN asl music video: you brought the sunshine by
the clark sisters. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Lr8SZqKWctM
Bahan, B. & Jarashow, B. (2010) A to Z: ABC stories in ASL. Dawn Sign Press, San Diego, CA.
DVD 83 minutes
Ennis, B. (1993). Bill Ennis: Live at SMI! Sign Media, Inc., Burtonsville, MD.
DVD 60 minutes.
Kraft, E. (1994). Elinor Kraft: Live at SMI! Sign Media, Inc., Burtonsville, MD.
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DVD 60 minutes
Lentz, E. M. (1995). The Treasure: Poems by Ella Mae Lentz. Dawn Sign Press, San Diego, CA.
DVD 50 minutes
Valli, C. (1995). ASL Poetry: Selected Works by Clayton Valli. Dawn Sign Press, San Diego,
CA. DVD 105 minutes
YouTube Playlist
Nathie
Mark Morales
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING WEIGHTS
Description Weight
Attendance 5%
Participation 10%
Video Projects (5)
Narrative Personal Stories Video Project 15%
Visual Vernacular Video Project 15%
ABC Video Project 15%
Poetry - Formal Video Project 15%
Poetry - Visual Vernacular & Classifiers Video Project 15%
ePortfolio 10%
100%
No extra credit will be offered.
Video Projects (5 x 15% = 75%)

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Each student will be given assignments that require access to a computer and certain apps. The
ASL Lab (EUB 4.222) is available for ASL students to do their ASL related assignments.
Students will be assigned videos or movies to view outside of class time, the content of which
may also be discussed in class. Additionally, there may be assignments that accompany the
video/movie. For each video assignments, draft video need to be submitted to the profess
ePortfolio (10%)
Creation of an electronic portfolio, including review and analyses of submitted reports and
assignments, and homework assignments. Throughout the semester each student will be create
and maintain an electronic portfolio of select assignments. The portfolio will also include self-
and peer-evaluations of progress and descriptions of the portfolio for the instructor. Much of the
content will be produced in ASL, although there will also be some written information included.
Students are required to create and maintain a portfolio through which the instructor can monitor
their progress. Due dates for specific parts of the portfolio will be provided as they approach,
and the complete portfolio will be due at the end of the semester. Additional details will be
provided in class.
Attendance (5%)
Attendance is required, and roll call will be conducted at the beginning of every class. It is
essential that students make every effort to attend class on time and to participate in class
activities. If a student arrives more than 5 minutes late, he/she will be marked absent. Each tardy
(up to 5 minutes late), will be noted and a total of three late arrivals will equal one absence.
Additionally, each early departure of 15 minutes or more, will be noted. A total of three early
departures will equal one absence.
Each student is allowed three absences over the course of the semester, which is equal to one full
week of classes. For each absence beyond three (3), a students course grade will be reduced by
one (1) letter grade (e.g., a course grade of A becomes a B with a 4th absence). For each
subsequent absence, a students course grade will continue to drop to the next possible grade
(e.g., a course grade of A becomes a B with a 4th absence and a B- with a 5th absence,
etc.).
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If an emergency or illness causes a student to be absent, the student must provide the instructor
with appropriate documentation (e.g., a note from a physician in the case of an illness) by the
following class and the instructor will take that into account when calculating participation based
on absences. It is the students responsibility to check to make sure that they and the instructor
are in agreement on the number of absences accrued by the student; each student is encouraged
to monitor the recording of any absences on a regular (e.g., bi-weekly) basis.
To illustrate how this policy is implemented, consider the sample scenarios below:
Student 1 missed class twice to study for exams in other classes (unexcused), then fell ill and
was forced to miss 3 more days, which were excused. Her grade would still be lowered because
she exceeded the number of allotted absences and they were not all excused (i.e., there was no
legitimate reason for missing those first two classes).
Student 2 got a horrible case of the flu right at the start of the semester and missed a full week (3
days). He was determined to not miss any more class, but unfortunately, later in the term, there
was an unexpected death in the family and he missed one more day. These are 4 excused
absences (at the instructor's discretion) and his grade would not be lowered, however, he would
still be responsible for making up missed work in a timely manner based on discussions and
agreements with the instructor.
Student 3's best friend came into town early on a Friday morning, and left late Monday. She
decided to miss both of those class days to hang out with her friend (unexcused). She missed
again for a school-sponsored event (e.g., athletics, band, etc.). Now she has 3 absences and only
1 is excused. Then one day she was feeling a bit under the weather so decided to miss. Her grade
will be lowered because, while one absence is excused, there are still 3 unexcused absences.
Student 4 was diagnosed with a chronic condition close to the start of term and missed a total of
5 classes throughout the semester, all for either emergency hospitalizations, or medical
appointments. Her grade would not be lowered because these would be considered excused
absences. Again, Student 4 would still be responsible for mastering the material covered on the
days she missed, and submitting make-up work in a timely manner.

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Student 5 is a member of the Eyeth University track team and missed 4 Friday classes for
competitions (excused). At this point, despite exceeding the allotted 3 absences, her grade would
not be lowered because she missed to attend a university-sponsored function. Later in the term
her mom surprised her with a visit from out of town and she missed class. Now her grade would
be lowered because there was no excusable reason to miss that final day.
In sum, the three days you're given should not be treated as "blow off" days. Save them for real
emergencies/illnesses or anticipated absences due to participation in university-sponsored events.
If you use these days for other things then encounter emergencies, which could be excused,
you'll have already used up your allotted absences.
Attending the first two class meetings
Students must attend the first two class meetings. Because of the high demand for a seat in ASL
classes, the Department of Linguistics must be strict about this policy. Students who are absent
the first two class meetings will be dropped from this course.
Participation in Eyeth University sponsored sporting events
Students must bring an official notification of the upcoming event to class before the actual
event, in order for the absence to be excused.
Observance of Religious Holy Days
Students must notify instructor at least 14 days prior to holy days. If you must miss a class, an
examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will
have an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time before or after the
absence. See UT policy on this matter at:
http://www.eyeth.edu/provost/policies/religious_holidays/1555_001.pdf
In-class Participation (5%)
Active participation in classroom activities is imperative. Behaviors such as reading newspapers,

using cell phones, checking Facebook or other social media sites, or doing homework for another
class will not be tolerated and they can result in a lowering of your participation grade.

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When a student enters the classroom, he/she should refrain from using their speaking voice.
Talking (and not signing) while in the presence of a Deaf instructor or any deaf person is
considered rude in Deaf culture. Additionally, cell phones must be turned off when students enter
the classroom. Eye contact in class is very important and disruptions such as ringing or vibration
distract other students from maintaining this element of visual-gestural communication.
Expectations of students entering ASL 350
Students are expected to enter this course with a working knowledge of:
A grade of C or above from ASL 275 or equivalent

Vocabulary and grammatical knowledge necessary to introduce yourself and exchange
basic personal information (Units 1-2)
Ability to discuss your own and ask about someone elses language background (Unit 2)
Cardinal numbers 1-100 (various Units)
Describe physical attributes of others as well as attribute personal qualities to them (Units 8
& 11)
Discuss your life as a student including discussion of majors and minors, the type of
housing, and how to give directions within and around the Eyeth University area (Units 3
& 7)
Make requests/complaints, offer suggestions/assistance with various tasks (Units 9 & 14)
Recall signs for cities nearby Eyeth University as well as the more frequently discussed
states within the US
Recall and be able to correctly implement glossing strategies
If you feel you have weaknesses in any of these areas, it is your responsibility to review your
beginning ASL materials (corresponding to the units and lessons noted above in your Signing
Naturally texts) as soon as possible. Consider working with classmates who feel comfortable
with the material if necessary.
Students Responsibilities

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In order to be successful in this course, students must fulfill several responsibilities both in class
and at home, and must also be able to demonstrate their progress in course assessments.
At Home
Language learning, in particular, requires continuous practice. Since it is a process that relies on
active participation on the part of the learner, do not expect to master the material simply by
coming to class three times a week. In order to perform well in this course, your at-home effort
in the following two areas is essential:
Studying
You should not limit your work at home only to out of class enrichment activities, which count
for a grade. Instead, you should also study the course material on a regular basis, since attempts
to memorize large amounts of material quickly before an exam are not normally successful. You
should frequently review grammar rules, vocabulary lists, etc. and take note of any items you
may not understand. This will enable you to ask your instructor important questions and resolve
issues before a quiz or exam.
Practice
Students often rely exclusively on more passive activities such as watching videos of vocabulary
and/or staring at handouts/slides gone over in class. This type of studying is not usually sufficient
in a language course. Students who dont actively use the target language at home often dont
develop the automaticity necessary to successfully complete exams and compositions within a
limited time frame. Therefore, on a regular basis, you should also set aside time to actively
engage with course material by producing signs yourself as well as viewing relevant video texts.
In class

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Your class meetings are an important opportunity for you to interact with your classmates and
your instructor. Participation is an essential component of the course and does not refer
exclusively to attendance. Please keep in mind the following elements of our language courses:
Interaction
Language courses are not lecture courses. Instead, classes are student-centered and rely heavily
on interaction and collaboration between you and your peers. Much of your work will be partner
and group work, where students are the main participants and the instructor is the facilitator. All
students are expected to participate equally in these activities.
Focus
The focus of your attention should be on classroom activities while you are in class. Smart
phones, iPod, laptops and outside reading materials are NOT allowed in class, as they limit your
participation and are also generally disruptive and disrespectful.
ASL
In order to improve your expressive communication skills, you must practice both receiving and
producing ASL! Therefore, your instructor will communicate almost exclusively in ASL (written
English may be used at the instructors discretion), which will not only help you learn new
vocabulary and grammatical structures, but will also increase your comfort level over the course
of the semester. In turn, you are expected to reciprocate and use ASL for activities as well as for
basic functional language (e.g. saying hello, asking to go to the bathroom, asking the instructor
to repeat something, etc.). Dont be shy! Youll never be graded on the accuracy of your
productions in these situations. You are, however, expected to make the effort.
Course grades will be based on the following total percentages:
A = 93.45% - 100% A- = 89.45% - 93.44% B+ = 86.45% - 89.44%
B = 83.45% - 86.44% B- = 79.45%-83.44% C+ = 76.45% - 79.44%
C = 73.45% - 76.44% C- = 69.45% - 73.44% D+ = 66.45% - 69.44%

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D = 63.45% - 66.44% D- = 59.45% - 63.44% F = 59.44% and below
Notes: A Grade of C- will not allow a student to advance to the next ASL course in the
sequence.
There will be No pass/fail grade; this course is based on letter grade only.
Rounding up to the nearest whole percentage is done at the instructors discretion.
UNIVERSITY NOTICES AND POLICIES
Eyeth University Honor Code
The core values of the Eyeth University are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual
opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these
values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.
Use of Email for Official Correspondence to Students
Email is recognized as an official mode of university correspondence; therefore, students are

responsible for reading their email for university and course-related information and
announcements. Students are responsible to keep the university informed about changes to your
e-mail address. Students should check their email regularly (i.e., daily) to stay current with class
information. Students can find Eyeth University policies and instructions for updating email
addresses at http://www.eyeth.edu/its/policies/emailnotify.php
Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty
Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University.
Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University,
policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information please visit
the Student Judicial Services Web site at http://deanofstudents.eyeth.edu/sjs.
Documented Disability Statement

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If a student requires special accommodations, they must contact the Office of Services for
Students with Disabilities (OSSD) within the Division of Enrolment. Upon registration with the
OSSD office, students will be given letters to present to their instructors in order to discuss
appropriate accommodations. For more information, visit http://ossd.eyeth.edu/disability/
Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL)
If a student is worried about someone who is acting strangely, they may use the Behavior
Concerns Advice Line to discuss their concerns about another individuals behavior. This
service is provided through a partnership among the office of the Dean of Students, the
Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), AND
the Eyeth University Police Department (EUPD). Or visit http://www.eyeth.edu/safety/bcal.
Emergency Evacuation Policy
Occupants of buildings on the Eyeth University campus are required to evacuate and assemble
outside when a fire alarm is activated or an announcement is made. Students should be aware of
the following policies regarding evacuation:
Students should familiarize themselves with all exit doors of the classroom and the
building. The nearest exit door may not be the one that was used when a student
entered the building.
If a student requires assistance to evacuate, please inform the instructor in writing
during the first week of class.
In the event of an evacuation, students should follow the instructions given by the
instructor.
Students should not re-enter a building unless they have been given instructions by
the Eyeth Fire Department, the Eyeth University Police Department, or the Fire
Prevention Services office.

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(Special thanks to Gallaudet Universitys ASL programs syllabi and DST 710 Blue team for guidance)

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Eyeth University: Department of Linguistics

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature

Gallaudet University: MASLED. Project 6 Course Module.pdf

Semester: 2017 Spring

Online course information and assignments available through Canvas: canvas.eyeth.edu

Prerequisite: ASL 275 (may be taken concurrently).

COURSE & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Unit Week Topic Materials

1 WEEK 1 Introduction to ASL 350 Course Course Syllabus

WEEK 2 NPE Characters & Stories

WEEK 3 NPE Overview & Video Project Final

2 WEEK 4 VV Introduction & Elements

WEEK 5 VV Mime, Gesture, Classifiers &

WEEK 6 VV Overview & Video Project Final

3 WEEK 7 ABC Introduction & Elements

WEEK 8 ABC Analysis & Evaluate ABC

WEEK 9 ABC Overview & Video Project Final

4 WEEK 10 PFV Introduction & Elements

WEEK 11 PFV Transitions & Imagery

WEEK 12 PFV Overview & Video Project Final

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

5 WEEK 13 PVVCL Introduction & Elements

WEEK 14 PVVCL Morphing, Parallelism &

WEEK 15 PVVCL Overview & Video Project Final

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS

Anderson-Gunter, J. (Director). (2007). Reflections of a black deaf woman [Motion picture on

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING WEIGHTS

Video Projects (5)

Narrative Personal Stories Video Project 15%

Visual Vernacular Video Project 15%

ABC Video Project 15%

Poetry - Formal Video Project 15%

Poetry - Visual Vernacular & Classifiers Video Project 15%

Video Projects (5 x 15% = 75%)

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

Attending the first two class meetings

Participation in Eyeth University sponsored sporting events

Observance of Religious Holy Days

In-class Participation (5%)

Active participation in classroom activities is imperative. Behaviors such as reading newspapers,

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

Expectations of students entering ASL 350

A grade of C or above from ASL 275 or equivalent

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

Course grades will be based on the following total percentages:

A = 93.45% - 100% A- = 89.45% - 93.44% B+ = 86.45% - 89.44%

B = 83.45% - 86.44% B- = 79.45%-83.44% C+ = 76.45% - 79.44%

C = 73.45% - 76.44% C- = 69.45% - 73.44% D+ = 66.45% - 69.44%

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

D = 63.45% - 66.44% D- = 59.45% - 63.44% F = 59.44% and below

Rounding up to the nearest whole percentage is done at the instructors discretion.

UNIVERSITY NOTICES AND POLICIES

Eyeth University Honor Code

Use of Email for Official Correspondence to Students

Email is recognized as an official mode of university correspondence; therefore, students are

Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty

Documented Disability Statement

ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature Syllabus

Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL)

Emergency Evacuation Policy