Course Syllabus

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ASL&121: American Sign Language I

SYLLABUS – Spring 2025

5 Credits, Online-Hybrid class with a Required Zoom Component

Meets Tuesdays & Thursdays (Attendance and Participation are graded)

 

INSTRUCTOR:

Monique Hirschkorn

Email address: mhirschkorn@wvc.edu

Phone: 509.293.3210

Office location: Personal Meeting Space via Zoom: 501 069 4914

Office Hours: After each class and by appointment via Zoom. Please contact me at mhirschkorn@wvc.edu or through Canvas Inbox to set up an appointment.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Welcome! ASL 121 is a full-immersion* class that teaches basic manual communication skills, including signs for everyday communication, grammar, and the manual alphabet. Topics include sharing information about oneself and common everyday events. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answer skills. The student will learn beginning skills for initiating and carrying on a conversation. Interactive activities in class provide practice with vocabulary while online activities and homework provide review and reinforcement. Introductory information regarding historical and cultural aspects of the Deaf community will also be included.

PREREQUISITES: none

WELCOME AND DIVERSITY/INCLUSION

All students are welcome in this classroom.  I strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for every student to thrive.  Please let me know if you have any concerns.  You belong at WVC, and in this classroom.

MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED

  1. Text: Signing Naturally student workbook with DVD  ISBN: 978-1-58121-210-5. Publisher: Dawn Sign Press. Available at the WVC student bookstore (New- $84.95 plus tax. Used-$63.70 and lower). This book is expensive so I would recommend getting a used copy. The DVD inclusion is not required as I embed the videos into each assignment online (The Signing Naturally book is used for both ASL 121 & 122 )
  2. Computer with reliable online access and video recording capability. This course requires the student to regularly submit video recordings of him/herself signing for teacher evaluation and feedback. The WVC library has equipment that can be checked out.

SIDE NOTE: Please read first. The curriculum is expensive. I would suggest you check online booksellers like ebay, Amazon, Chegg, or eCampus for a used option. Books are priced used from $18.50 to $30.00. Consider renting instead of buying to save money. You also have the option to purchase books without the DVD as I embed the video links in the assignments.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. Build a basic vocabulary in ASL, including fingerspelling and numbers.
  2. Develop visual and spatial awareness for using a manual language.
  3. Apply ASL vocabulary to communicate introductory information about oneself, and ask for basic needs.
  4. Form signs accurately (production/expressive). Use correct grammatical structure.
  5. Use information about Deaf culture to appropriately get attention, converse, and ask and answer basic questions.
  6. Gain a basic understanding of the nuances and dynamics of Deaf Culture.

 TEACHING METHOD

  • This class is fully online with a synchronous Zoom component. Class is held via Zoom in full-immersion*, with live instruction, practice and review activities. (Lectures are pre recorded and we meet twice weekly via Zoom)
  • On-line videos to reinforce concepts taught in class.

 *The class will be taught primarily using the target language of ASL. During language instruction, spoken English will not be used.

A Quick Note on AI and Discussion Posts

Hey everyone! As we dive into our course discussions, I want to remind you of the importance of sharing your own thoughts and ideas. While it might be tempting to use AI tools to help with your homework discussion posts, I really encourage you to steer clear of that.

Using AI can take away from your learning experience and isn’t in line with our commitment to academic integrity. Instead, I’d love for you to express your own insights based on what you’ve learned and what we discuss in class. I want to hear your thoughts in your own words! 

Thanks for helping us keep our discussions genuine and engaging!

GRADING CONSIDERATIONS

Attendance and Participation (35%)
Active attendance and prepared participation are essential to your success in this course, accounting for a significant portion of your final grade. Each class is worth 5 participation points, awarded for:

  • Attending Zoom sessions with your camera on.
  • Participating in partner work and practicing signing as instructed.
  • Engaging with classmates via online discussion posts.

Regular participation in these three aspects are crucial to your success in this class. As a result, a significant portion of your final grade is dependent upon your participation in these three activities. See elsewhere in the course for specific instructions regarding each participation activity.

Missed sessions cannot be fully made up due to the interactive nature of the class. However, if you miss a Zoom session, you can earn up to 3 points by:

  1. Watching the recording within FIVE calendar days
  2. Messaging the instructor via Canvas with:
    • The date of the absence.
    • A summary of the session’s content.
    • A description of your practice activities (and partner, if applicable).
  • If an emergency arises and you must miss a class, you are responsible to make arrangements to get the information and practice exercises that you missed.
  • In addition to our Zoom sessions, you will need to complete five contact hours of signing during the quarter. Look elsewhere in the Getting Started module for specific instructions. 

Assignments (30%)
This hybrid course includes:

  • Two 1.5-hour Zoom sessions per week.
  • Weekly Canvas assignments to reinforce material and provide additional practice.

Expect to spend 3+ hours weekly on 4–5 assignments. Completing homework on time is crucial, as each class builds on prior material.

Assessments (35%)
You will complete three assessments, each requiring:

  • A video submission.
  • A written component.

The final assessment may also include a one-on-one meeting with the instructor.

LATE WORK POLICY

During the first few weeks of class, some flexibility is allowed. However, as the course progresses, it is essential to submit all work on time.

  • Late submissions may receive up to a 20% grade deduction.
  • No late assignments will be accepted for a unit once that unit's test has been administered.
  • For extenuating circumstances (e.g., technical issues), you must contact the instructor before the original due date to discuss possible accommodations.

 

EVALUATION 
 The general grading percentages are as follows:

  • 35% Class attendance and participation
  • 30% Homework assignments
  • 35% Assessments

Your final grade will be converted into a letter grade:

A = 94-100, A- = 90-93

B+ = 87-89, B = 84-86, B- = 80-83

C+ = 77-79, C = 74-76, C- = 70-73

D+ = 67-69, D = 64-66, D- = 60-63

F = <59

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS

The Student Access Office has been designated by the college as the primary office to guide, coach and assist students with disabilities. If you receive services (or think you should) through that office and require accommodations for this class, make an appointment with the Director of Student Access (sas@wvc.edu or 509-682-6854) as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Any information you share will be kept in strictest confidence unless you give written permission to do otherwise.

If you need a referral to that office or have further questions, please contact the Director of Student Access to assist you. Following through on these services can help you be more successful in your academic endeavors at WVC. (Note: the Director of Student Access will require appropriate documentation of disability. The use of that office is voluntary).

ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

Essentially do your OWN work and write in your own words. I want to hear what YOU think about topics discussed in ASL. I do not want to see any summaries or options generated by AI software.

The college is an institution of higher learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle, which you are responsible for adhering to. Please review the policies and procedures of Wenatchee Valley College regarding academic honesty and integrity in the WVC student handbook (pages 19-22), http://www.wvc.edu/directory/departments/studentprog/WVCstudenthandbook11-12.pdf Any issues involving academic dishonesty will be handled according to those policies and procedures.

EMERGENCY ALERTS 

Text "CAMPUSALERTS" to 67283 to receive text alerts about campus emergencies, weather closures and delays, and drills.  Go to https://www.wvc.edu/students/safety/emergency-alerts.html 

 for more information.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Wenatchee Valley College offers a wide range of services to currently enrolled students. Getting help will depend on the help you are seeking:

  • Course specific questions (about course content, assignment due dates, tests, etc): Contact your instructor.
  • Questions about Canvas technical issues: contact Brett McGinnis by clicking the Support Resources link on the left side of your screen or check Canvas Student Guide: http://guides.instructure.com/m/4212
  • WVC student technology (student e-mail, wireless connection, computer information, etc): http://www.wvc.edu/directory/departments/studentemail (Links to an external site.) Phone: 509-682-6550, Email: Helpdesk@wvc.edu
  • Questions about Distance Learning: 509-682-6718. Check FAQs page on WVC Distance Learning web site: http://www.wvc.edu/distance
  • Library services: 509-682-6801 at http://www.wvc.edu/library 
  • Registration/admissions: 509-682-6806

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due