AM 145 - American Sign Language I

(4 units)

An introductory course in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture. This course emphasizes the development of primary expressive and receptive skills. Students learn to communicate about self, family, and surroundings through immersive activities. It introduces the visual-gestural nature of ASL, including basic vocabulary, syntax, and fingerspelling, while exploring the history and social norms of the Deaf community.

Maximum units a student may earn: 4

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 4
Offered: Every Fall, Spring, and Summer

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. recognize and produce basic vocabulary related to personal identity, family, and immediate environment.
2. apply basic ASL sentence structures, including yes/no questions, wh-questions, and simple negation.
3. initiate and maintain basic social interactions, such as greetings, introductions, and exchanging personal information.
4. identify core cultural values, such as attention-getting techniques and the importance of eye contact in Deaf culture.

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