Resident Assistant Manpreet Suri spelling “UMBC” using the American Sign Language alphabet.
There’s a new language option at UMBC!*
American Sign Language (ASL) will fulfill UMBC’s GEP language requirement. Courses will be offered in the summer and fall sessions.
Courses offered:
- ASL 101
- ASL 102
- ASL 201
ASL is a visual language that uses hand, facial and body movements to communicate. Sign language promotes communication with the Deaf community and can help babies communicate sooner and better. It can boost more effective brain function and links the mind and body in ways that other languages do not. It’s also the sixth most common language in the United States.
*GEP Language Requirement
Students need to complete a series of three language courses (or demonstrate proficiency) as part of UMBC’s General Education Program requirements.
Fall 2023
meets *GEP Language Requirement
American Sign Language I | ASL 101
Section: 01-LEC (4263)
Lecture: MoWe 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. | Web
Instruction Mode: Online
Meeting Dates: 08/30/2023 – 12/12/2023
Instructor: Debra Wolff
American Sign Language 101 is designed for students who have little or no previous knowledge of ASL. The course emphasizes simple receptive and expressive conversational skills and the unique features of American Sign Language grammar. Readiness for learning will be approached via visual-gestural communication techniques, visual discrimination, and visual memory exercises, emphasizing the acquisition of comprehension, production, and interactional skills using basic grammatical features. ASL will be taught within contexts and related to general surroundings and everyday life experiences. The course also provides a historical overview of American Sign Language and an introduction to deaf culture and folklore. Videos, films, readings and non-verbal feedback exercises will be a part of the instruction using tools.
Note: This is a synchronous online course. Students are expected to attend class online during the days/times listed in the meeting pattern. It requires reliable internet access and computer literacy; and the ability to self-manage independent learning assignments according to deadlines. In place of classroom activities, online work may include independent mastery assignments, discussion boards, videos with quizzes, writing assignments, and other active learning experiences. Students are responsible for completing these online learning experiences by the specified deadlines and in accordance with instructor requirements.
American Sign Language I | ASL 101
Section: 02-LEC (7476)
Lecture: TuTh 4 – 5:15 p.m. | Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building Rm 301
Instruction Mode: Hybrid
Meeting Dates: 08/30/2023 – 12/12/2023
Instructor: Daniel Frame
American Sign Language 101 is designed for students who have little or no previous knowledge of ASL. The course emphasizes simple receptive and expressive conversational skills and the unique features of American Sign Language grammar. Readiness for learning will be approached via visual-gestural communication techniques, visual discrimination, and visual memory exercises, emphasizing the acquisition of comprehension, production, and interactional skills using basic grammatical features. ASL will be taught within contexts and related to general surroundings and everyday life experiences. The course also provides a historical overview of American Sign Language and an introduction to deaf culture and folklore. Videos, films, readings and non-verbal feedback exercises will be a part of the instruction using tools.
Note: If course permission is needed, email Dr. Laila M. Shishineh (lailams@umbc.edu).
This course will meet synchronously online on Tuesdays and in person on Thursdays.
An introduction to American Sign Language. The course will emphasize simple receptive and expressive conversational skills and the unique features of American Sign Language grammar. The course also will provide a historical overview of American Sign Language and an introduction to deaf culture and folklore. Videotapes, films, readings and non-verbal exercises will be a part of instruction.
In order to move into ASL 102 to meet the language requirement, this course must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
American Sign Language II | ASL 102
Section: 01-LEC (4039)
Lecture: TuTh 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. | Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building Rm 301
Instruction Mode: Hybrid
Meeting Dates: 08/30/2023 – 12/12/2023
Instructor: Daniel Frame
American Sign Language 102 is designed to build on ASL 101 providing for a higher level of receptive and conversational practice and will introduce several “uninterpreted” activities. Learning goals will focus on the development of American Sign Language (ASL) skills with a primary focus on refining the use of basic ASL sentence types. Pronominalization, classifiers, spatial referencing, pluralization, and temporal and distributional aspects are introduced. Students will learn routine communicative functions of the language: asking, requesting, providing clarification, giving and asking for directions. Information about the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture will be included.
Prerequisite: ASL 101 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Note: This course will meet synchronously online on Tuesdays and in person on Thursdays.
If course permission is needed, email Dr. Laila M. Shishineh (lailams@umbc.edu). New students enrolling in ASL102 must provide documentation that they have completed a course equivalent to ASL 101 from another college or university or that they studied ASL for two years in high school. This can be verified by providing UMBC with a transcript from the relevant college or high school. Please email this documentation to Dr. Laila M. Shishineh at the email listed above.
A continuation of ASL 101. The course will provide a higher level of receptive and conversational practice and will introduce several “uninterpreted” activities. Lectures will develop further aspects of deaf culture, non-American Sign systems and other communication systems by members of the deaf community.
American Sign Language II | ASL 102
Section: 02-LEC (4054)
Lecture: MoWe 7 – 8:15 p.m. | Web
Instruction Mode: Online
Meeting Dates: 08/30/2023 – 12/12/2023
Instructor: Debra Wolff
American Sign Language 102 is designed to build on ASL 101 providing for a higher level of receptive and conversational practice and will introduce several “uninterpreted” activities. Learning goals will focus on the development of American Sign Language (ASL) skills with a primary focus on refining the use of basic ASL sentence types. Pronominalization, classifiers, spatial referencing, pluralization, and temporal and distributional aspects are introduced. Students will learn routine communicative functions of the language: asking, requesting, providing clarification, giving and asking for directions. Information about the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture will be included.
Prerequisite: ASL 101 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Note: This is a synchronous online course. Students are expected to attend class online during the days/times listed in the meeting pattern. It requires reliable internet access and computer literacy; and the ability to self-manage independent learning assignments according to deadlines. In place of classroom activities, online work may include independent mastery assignments, discussion boards, videos with quizzes, writing assignments, and other active learning experiences. Students are responsible for completing these online learning experiences by the specified deadlines and in accordance with instructor requirements.
American Sign Language III | ASL 201
Section: 01-LEC (4276)
Lecture: TuTh 7 – 8:15 p.m. | Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building Rm 301
Instruction Mode: Hybrid
Meeting Dates: 08/30/2023 – 12/12/2023
Instructor: Daniel Frame
American Sign Language 201 is designed to build on ASL 102 in order to further develop the receptive and expressive visual communication skills in ASL. This will include adding more complex ASL grammatical features and vocabulary, short stories, narratives, and dialogues. The course will include a description of general surroundings, appropriate sequencing, temporal aspects, and conditionals. The course will also focus on cultural aspects of the deaf community and will include discussions and formal signing presentations.
Prerequisite: ASL 101 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Note: This course will meet synchronously online on Tuesdays and in person on Thursdays.
If course permission is needed, email Dr. Laila M. Shishineh (lailams@umbc.edu). New students enrolling in ASL201 must provide documentation that they have completed a course equivalent to ASL101 and ASL102 from another college or university or that they studied ASL for three years in high school. This can be verified by providing UMBC with a transcript from the relevant college or high school. Please email this documentation to Dr. Laila M. Shishineh at the email listed above.
A continuation of ASL102. This course will further develop the receptive and expressive visual communication skills in ASL. This will include adding more complex ASL grammatical features and vocabulary, short stories, narratives, and dialogues. The course will include a description of general surroundings, appropriate sequencing, temporal aspects, and conditionals. The course will also focus on cultural aspects of the deaf community and will include discussions and formal signing presentations.
American Sign Language III | ASL 201
Section: 02-LEC (7477)
Lecture: MoWe 4 – 5:15 p.m. | Web
Instruction Mode: Online
Meeting Dates: 08/30/2023 – 12/12/2023
Instructor: TBA
American Sign Language 201 is designed to build on ASL 102 in order to further develop the receptive and expressive visual communication skills in ASL. This will include adding more complex ASL grammatical features and vocabulary, short stories, narratives, and dialogues. The course will include a description of general surroundings, appropriate sequencing, temporal aspects, and conditionals. The course will also focus on cultural aspects of the deaf community and will include discussions and formal signing presentations.
Prerequisite: ASL 101 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Note: If course permission is needed, email Dr. Laila M. Shishineh (lailams@umbc.edu). New students enrolling in ASL201 must provide documentation that they have completed a course equivalent to ASL101 and ASL102 from another college or university or that they studied ASL for three years in high school. This can be verified by providing UMBC with a transcript from the relevant college or high school. Please email this documentation to Dr. Laila M. Shishineh at the email listed above.
A continuation of ASL102. This course will further develop the receptive and expressive visual communication skills in ASL. This will include adding more complex ASL grammatical features and vocabulary, short stories, narratives, and dialogues. The course will include a description of general surroundings, appropriate sequencing, temporal aspects, and conditionals. The course will also focus on cultural aspects of the deaf community and will include discussions and formal signing presentations.
8/23/2023