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World Language Department

American Sign Language II

ASL 122: Section A

5 Credit Hours

Fall Quarter 2019

Class Schedule

MTWHF: 11:30 Am to 12:20 pm

Class Location: R102

Instructor: Mae Sellers

E-Mail: mae.sellers@bellevuecollege.edu

Office location: R230

Office Hours: by appointment

*Biography*

My name is Mae Sellers and I am a native signer (3rd generation Deaf). I grew up in Austin, TX

and then relocated to the DC area where I lived for 10 years. I have a BA degree in art and a MA

in teaching and I’m looking forward to sharing my culture and language with you. I am open to

any question – don’t be afraid to ask me!

ASL 121 is a five credit, transferable, college level, language course that introduces the basic

vocabulary and grammar of ASL for the beginning student and reviews the cultural aspects of

Deaf community. Fulfills humanities course requirement at Bellevue College.

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the basic skills in production and comprehension of American

Sign Language (ASL). It includes the manual alphabet and numbers. Develops conversational

ability, culturally appropriate behaviors and exposes students to ASL grammar.

Course Outline:

mailto:mae.sellers@bellevuecollege.edu

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Unit 4 Residences and Communities

Unit 5 Scheduling

Unit 6 Good Times

Required Textbooks and Materials: 1. Bryant, R., Gelineau, L., Shannon, T., Harris, R., & Marbury, N. (2017).

TRUE WAY ASL: Level 1 student e-workbook. Austin, TX: Purple Moontower.

http://truewayasl.com

Web Resources:

You will be using CANVAS regularly. Your class guidelines, assignments, homework, and

handouts are accessible to you only through CANVAS, where your class is divided into neatly

organized modules. If you are struggling to find any specific document, remember you can

search “Files” in Canvas. (We will not use the “Gradebook” function on Canvas).

is an on-line video forum linked to your Canvas account. You will need to establish your account

and have access to a device that can play and record video (laptop, phone, etc.). Major

assignments, Homework and other communication will occur through GoReact.

Help with Canvas for Students .

BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success.

Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Technology Help Desk

Course Rationale/Objectives:

The purpose of this course is designed to help you develop the study skills you need to learn a

language and to review and practice what you are learning in your language class. This may

include lectures, small group activities, use of electronic media, going to ASL Lab, and Deaf

events. You will be encouraged to practice your receptive and expressive skills so that you can

have a positive experience with your language course. Students are expected to come to class

well prepared to participate in daily discussions. The grammatical explanations will be kept to a

http://truewayasl.com/http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/canvas/http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/

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minimum and students will be required to work in pairs and small groups. Active participation in

group work is required for the success of the class.

Course Outcomes - After completing this class, students should be able to:

At the end of this course, the students will able to:

1. Vocabulary Development 1. recognize and produce vocabulary items in each unit. 2. demonstrate comprehensive mastery of targeted vocabulary words drawn from

class items, lecture, and videos.

2. Grammatical Features 1. demonstrate comprehensive mastery of target, content-specific commands,

questions, and statements in ASL.

2. identify grammatical features within short dialogues in ASL as directed by the professor.

3. Conversational and Communication Skills 1. demonstrate comprehension and conversation facilitating behaviors. 2. demonstrate comprehension and production of regulating behaviors (i.e. attention

getting techniques, turn taking signals, and others)

3. comprehend short narratives and stories in ASL as signed by the professor, Deaf users of ASL, or viewed on ASL videos.

4. demonstrate the ability to create, conduct and terminate a short content- specific conversation.

4. Cultural Awareness 1. analyze and critique competing perspectives of diverse Deaf communities in the

United States and Canada, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices, and

its history.

2. compare, contrast, and interpret differences and commonalities among Deaf and hearing cultures

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Grading Scale

1. Quizzes-100 Points 2. Attendance-120 Points 3. Participation-120 Points 4. ASL Chats-200 Points 5. Receptive Exams-300 Points 6. Expressive Exam-300 Points 7. Cultural Awareness-Range from 100 to 500 Points

The total of points are range from 1140-1590)

Attendance: (120 Points)

Your attendance is required if you are to succeed in any language class. ASL 122 is no

exception. Because the language is visual and manual, your eyes, body and mind must be

present if you are to learn. Your participation in class activities is a required part of your

attendance. American Sign Language is all about communication and communication is the

interaction between individuals sharing information. A book or videotape can never provide

this communication environment. If for any reason you miss a class, it is your responsibility to

contact a classmate and find out what you missed. Make-ups are not possible for missed tests

or quizzes. Your attendance will be recorded and factored into your final grade and will earn

you part of your Participation points.

Showing up late and leaving early are disruptive to the class.

You will be counted present only if you are present for the entire class period.

Participation: (120 points)

This class is highly interactive. You will work with most, if not all, of your classmates in various

settings. Randomly, these activities will be awarded points. If you are not there, or not

participating, you are not earning those points.

Cultural Awareness Assignments ( 100-500 points)

In this class, I will be exposing you to the deaf community, our history, language and culture.

This will be done through movies, articles, videos, etc and may be surprising for you to learn.

Please feel free to share your thoughts, concerns or reactions, either in class or with me privately.

Quizzes (100 Points)

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Some quizzes will be announced in class and some will be “pop” quizzes. You may not make up

any quizzes you miss – if you miss the quiz, you will get a zero. The quizzes will be based

mainly on the ability to comprehend ASL and cultural information. Questions may also be drawn

from the reading/viewing of the TRUE+WAY ASL e-workbook/video, video assignments,

vocabulary, and from class discussions.

Exams: Production (600 Points)

This receptive and expressive exams will include comprehension and production, information

from the workbook, videos shown in and out of class, vocabulary videos, class assignments, and

discussions. There will be no make-up of the final exam except under circumstances I deem to

be extreme or unique.

(Receptive Skills Exams (300 Points)

There will be two receptive exams during the quarter one as a mid-term and one as

your final exam. I will produce a signed performance (in person or on video tape)

using vocabulary and grammar presented in class. Students will be expected to

translate these passages into written English. Each translation is worth 150 points.

These receptive examinations will be worth a total of 300 points.

(Expressive Skills Exams (300 Points)

There will be one expressive exam at the end of the quarter. The instructor will assign

partners to dialogue about topics learned during the class. This conversation will be

10-15 minutes in length and is worth 300 points.

Culture Contact Paper (200 Points)

In class, I give you the tools to learn this language. I teach you how to use those tools and give

you some practice in using them in class. In order for you to gain proficiency in the language,

you MUST go out and use it. As you will notice this class is more about “what you do” than

“what you know.” Just as the Art student learns to use tools, that student is not likely to create

his or her masterpiece in class. No, the student takes the skills learned in class and applies them

to create that masterpiece. Language Art works exactly the same way. It’s just the nature of

language (and art). To learn this language, you must use it—in your real life-- beyond your 50

minutes of daily class time.

You will log a minimum of 4 hours of Culture Contact using ASL outside of class with other

signers. There is a form for you to log your hours (Canvas) and a template for writing your paper

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which will be due in the final week of the quarter--Don’t let this sneak up on you or you run the

risk of running out of time!

ASL Zone: This classroom is ASL Zone, avoid voicing or English mouthing during class time.

Once the professor enters the classroom, please silence yourself and sign with your class peers.

Talking without signing in the presence of a Deaf professor or any Deaf person is considered

rude in Deaf culture. Write notes to each other if you must or SIGN! This NO VOICE rule will

be enforced from the beginning until the end of the class. Disruptive students will be asked to

leave the class.

Previous Knowledge of ASL:

Some of you may already know ASL from high school, previous classes, or from Deaf relatives,

friends, and co-workers. Please be mindful that most of your classmates have never taken ASL

or encountered a Deaf person before now.

Please stay with the pace of the course in vocabulary, speed, and knowledge of the Deaf-World.

My Teaching vs. The Textbook:

ASL is a bona fide language that is used by Deaf people in the United States and in Canada

(except Quebec). Like English, there are “dialects” and “accents”. In ASL, they are called

regional signs or sign variations. Once in a while, you may see me sign differently than shown

in your textbook/DVD. When in doubt, follow what I teach/sign. (TWA was developed in

Texas.) Therefore, there will be few signs that are used by Deaf Texans but are signed

differently in the Seattle Metro area.) This is an opportunity for you to be exposed to multiple

ways of signing; it is not either/or, right/wrong.

Please give me up to 48 hours to reply to your email. If I have not responded within 48 hours,

send a follow-up email. Generally, I do not reply to emails over the weekend. Consider yourself

very lucky if you do get a reply from me during the weekend.

Homework submission must be sent via Canvas.

Schedule:

We use the Canvas calendar.

Don’t let major assignments, quizzes, and homework assignments sneak up on you. The schedule

may change through the quarter, if you miss class, you may miss a schedule change.

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Canvas:

Please familiarize yourself with Canvas. You will be using Canvas to access the syllabus, ASL

packet, to submit your assignments, and to view your grades, among other functions.

Writing Expectations:

All papers must be typed, double-spaced and in 12-point fonts (but none of those fancy,

cartoonish, thick or cursive fonts). In addition, all papers must be edited! I cannot emphasize

this enough.

All papers and citations must be in APA (American Psychological Assocation) format.

Workbook & DVD:

Bring your workbook to class every time. You are expected to participate in class lectures and

activities (games, role-playing, retelling, etc.). You are responsible for staying current in your

workbook by completing assignments and by watching segments in the DVD.

There will be random workbook checks. No make-up opportunities will be granted for

forgetting to bring the workbook or for not completing every task in the workbook.

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to consult with your classmates for any class notes

and assignments. Do not ask me. It would be practical if you exchange contact information with

at least three of your classmates for missed notes and assignments. (A contact list has been

created for you at the end of this syllabus.)

Also, because tardiness is not appreciated, please do not disturb the class. If you have to be

tardy, please take the seats closest to the door.

If you are going to be 30 minutes late, please do not come to class.

If and when class has started and I have not shown up, please wait 15 minutes before class is

automatically dismissed.

Fall Quarter: September 16-December 6

Non-Class Days:

Friday, October 4 (Conference—No classes)

Tuesday, October 22 (College Day—No classes)

Monday, November 11 (Holiday--No classes)

Thursday, November 28 (Holiday--No classes)

Friday, November 29 (Holiday--No classes)

Tuesday, December 3 (Student Success Day--No classes)

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If a quiz or a test is given during your absence, a make-up opportunity will not be provided

unless you have prior communication with me and I have allowed a make-up. You will be given

a zero for the quiz or test. If you arrive late during a quiz or a test, you may only begin at the

point where the class is currently working. (Example: if you arrive 10 minutes late and we’re on

#6 on a quiz, you may work on #6 and onwards. You will not be allowed to work on #1 to #5.)

Special Note:

Illness: Please use consideration of your classmates and my health as well as everyone else on

campus. If you have a contagious illness (such as a stomach bug, strep throat, pink eye, H1N1,

etc.), stay home!

Children: Unfortunately, due to liability issues, you may not bring your children to class.

Absence & Attendance Checks:

Each week, I will submit your attendances in the Gradebook in Canvas. You have one week to

ensure that your attendances and absences are recorded accurately. If you come to me to dispute

an absence from 1 month ago, it will not be changed.

Remember that this is a skill-based course. For every absence, you fall behind in lessons and

language development. You will need to increase your work to stay current. If I see that you’re

falling behind in this course, I will recommend that you withdraw from the course.

Federal Mandate: A recent federal mandate requires me to report your attendance. For those of

you who rely on financial aid (government, scholarships, military, etc.), please take note. Your

absences are reported immediately after class and your financial aid may be reduced or stopped.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you attend classes regularly and consistently.

Note: Federal reporting of attendance does not recognize excused absences regardless if you had

legitimate reasons for being absent. Therefore, if you are not in class, you are considered absent.

Due Process:

If you are not satisfied with my teaching, grading, policies, etc., please meet with me as soon as

possible to discuss a resolution. Please do not wait an extended amount of time (ex. 5 weeks

later or at the end of the semester) to raise a concern or complaint. If you are not satisfied with

our discussion/resolution, you may bring your concerns to: Melissa Massie;

Melissa.massie@bellevuecollege.edu.

Student Success Tips:

Planning Your Time

In order to be successful in this course, you need to be organized and manage your time well so

that you can complete all assignments on time. Outside of the classroom, you will need to devote

mailto:Melissa.massie@bellevuecollege.edu

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approximately 10-20 hours per week to complete the learning activities required in this course.

Make sure that you do not allow yourself to procrastinate, and that you communicate with me if

you have any questions on any course materials or need assistance completing any assignments.

*Closing Statement*

You are about to embark on an exciting journey into the Deaf-World. Please grab every

opportunity that will enhance your ASL skills, such as attending Deaf events and ASL

workshops, meeting Deaf people and reading related materials.

Affirmation of Inclusion

Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the

campus community feels welcome to participate in the life of the college, free from harassment

and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students,

faculty, staff members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect.

As a proud member of the LGBTQ Community, my classroom is an LGBTQ Safe Space.

Regardless of your background, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, physical ability, skin color,

sexual orientation, we are all here to learn about a different culture: Deaf Culture. I welcome

your individuality, and I will defend your right to be yourself in the spirit of learning and in an

environment of mutual respect.-- We are all here to learn and I am committed to maintaining

an environment in which we ALL feel SAFE to do so.

Religious Holidays

Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or any other assignments as a consequence of

their religious observance should be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to

complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with

reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent, preferably at

the beginning of the term. Students who are absent on days of examinations or class assignments

should be offered an opportunity to make up the work without penalty (if they have previously

arranged to be absent), unless it can be demonstrated that a makeup opportunity would constitute

an unreasonable burden on a member of the faculty. Should disagreement arise over what

constitutes an unreasonable burden or any element of this policy, parties involved should consult

the department chair, or Dean.

College Anti-Discrimination Statement (Title IX)

Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity; color; creed; national

origin; sex; marital status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information; the presence of

any sensory, mental, or physical disability; gender identity or veteran status in educational

programs and activities which it operates.

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For further information and contacts, please consult College Anti-Discrimination Statements.

Division Statements

Information about Bellevue College's copyright guidelines can be found at: College Copyright

Policy

This link provides a good, short summary of how to avoid plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism

“Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without

crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the

Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but

are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason,

allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward me or your classmates. I

can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Vice President of Student Services

for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue College. Specific student rights,

responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the

office of the Vice President of Student Services.” The Student Code, Policy 2050, in its entirety

is located at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asp

Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity

Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of

another as one’s own without crediting the source), and fabrication and inappropriate/disruptive

classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue

College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, talking out of turn,

arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and

inappropriate behavior toward me or your classmates. I can refer any violation of the Student

Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Success for investigation. Specific student rights,

responsibilities, and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct at: Student

Code

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to

all schools that receive funds under applicable programs of the U.S. Department of Education.

Regardless of the age of the student, once a student enters post-secondary education

(college) this federal law protects the rights of the student. Record information will be

disclosed to family members only if a written consent by the student is on file at the college.

If you wish to give permission for another person or agency to have access to your records,

you may complete a Student Information Release Authorization form and submit it to the

Enrollment Services Office. Otherwise, when inquiring about student records, the student

must make the inquiry.

For complete FERPA information, see the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/titleixhttp://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-3600/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-3600/http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtmlhttp://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/2/2050_Student_Code.asphttp://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-2050/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id-2050/http://s.bellevuecollege.edu/wp/sites/118/2016/12/FERPA-Student-Information-Release-Authorization-form.pdfhttp://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

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Drop Procedure

If you decide to drop this course, you are responsible for completing the required paperwork at

the Student Services Center. Please follow these links for a full description of how to drop and

what the consequences are for missing drop deadlines.

Important Links

▪ Bellevue College E-mail and access to MyBC

All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail

account. Your student network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to

computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network and log in to MyBC. To

create your account, go to: Create Email

BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success.

Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Technology Help Desk

Academic Support Center

Visit TUTORING to see how to sign up for individual tutoring or show up at group tutoring

sessions listed on the site that begin usually during the second week of classes. Both tutoring

options are free.

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and

disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have

documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need

accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact them as soon as possible.

If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire,

earthquake, etc, please meet with me to develop a safety plan within the first week of the quarter.

If you are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is an additional access

program available to you. Contact Autism Spectrum Navigators Email and phone number is on

the web page. ASN is located in the Library Media Center in D125.

The DRC office is located in B132 or you can call their reception desk at 425.564.2498. Deaf

students can reach them by Skype: the address is DRCatBC (NOTE: There is no @ sign...it is

actually DRCatBC). Please visit their website at Disability Resource Center for application

information into their program and other helpful links.

Accessibility

The online elements of this course are designed to be welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by

everyone, including students who are English-language learners, have a variety of learning

styles, have disabilities, or are new to online learning. Be sure to let me know immediately if you

encounter a required element or resource in the course that is not accessible to you. Also, let me

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/enrollment/faq/#how-do-i-add-or-drop-a-classhttp://www.bellevuecollege.edu/registration/withdrawing/https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/netid/http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/asc/tutoring/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc

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know of changes I can make to the course so that it is more welcoming to, accessible to, or

usable by students who take this course in the future.

Public Safety

Public Safety and Emergencies

Public Safety is located in the K building and can be reached at 425-564-2400 (easy to remember

because it’s the only office on campus open 24 hours a day—2400). Among other things, Public

Safety serves as our Parking Permits, Lost and Found, and Emergency Notification

center. Please ensure you are signed up to receive alerts through our campus alerting system by

registering at RAVE Alert Registration

If you work late and are uneasy about going to your car, Public Safety will escort you to your

vehicle. To coordinate this, please phone ahead and let Public Safety know when and where you

will need an escort.

Please familiarize yourself with the emergency postings by the door of every classroom and

know where to go in the event of an evacuation. I will be asked if anyone might still be in the

building, so check in before you do anything else. Emergency responders will search for anyone

unaccounted for.

If a major emergency occurs, please follow these three rules:

1) Take directions from those in charge of the response - We all need to work together.

2) Do not get in your car and leave campus (unless directed to) - Doing so will clog streets and

prevent emergency vehicles from entering the scene. Instead, follow directions from those in

charge.

3) In an emergency, call 911 first, then Public Safety.

Please do not hesitate to call Public Safety if you have safety questions or concerns at any time.

You may also visit the Public Safety web page for answers to your questions.

Academic Calendar

The Bellevue College Academic Calendar is separated into two calendars. They provide

information about holidays, closures and important enrollment dates such as the finals schedule.

Enrollment Calendar On this calendar you will find admissions and registration dates and

important dates for withdrawing and receiving tuition refunds.

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/alerts/?ref=footerhttp://www.bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/enrollment/deadlines/

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College Calendar This calendar gives you the year at a glance and includes college holidays,

scheduled closures, quarter end and start dates, and final exam dates.

Class Procedures and Expectations:

It is expected that all students will perform professionally in preparing work required for class.

Class starts promptly at 12:30 pm. Please be punctual and prepared. Attendance will be taken in

each class. This course will use the functional-notional approach; therefore, we will be doing

activities (games, role-playing, etc.) as well as lectures.

You are expected to participate in class (such as copying signs that I show you). It does not

matter if you are Deaf, CODA (a Child of Deaf Adult), or have used ASL throughout your life or

for a significant length of time. You are expected to participate just like everyone else.

Lost Items: I am not responsible for any personal items left behind in the classroom. Contact BC

Security to see if anyone has turned in your lost item(s).

Food & Drinks: I generally do not mind snack-sized food and drinks in the classroom. Do not

bring a 7-course meal to class. Chips and sodas and bottles of water are acceptable. Please

avoid bringing food that “stink up” the room like hard-boiled eggs or tuna sandwiches. If you

spill, please clean up your mess immediately.

Restrooms: There is no need for you to ask permission to go to the restroom. Just go.

Emergency Preparedness – Evacuations:

Please take a moment to review and familiarize yourself with evacuation routes in case of

emergencies (fire, hurricanes, etc.)

Course Grading System:

Your comprehension and production skills will be evaluated regularly. You

will also be evaluated on your preparation for class activities and your

assignments outside of the class.

There are a total of 1140-1540 points possible for this quarter. Your grade

will be a fraction of that number. You must achieve a minimum of a C

grade to transfer to the next level of ASL. (Actual total points may vary

slightly based on added or deleted assignments).

Grading:

A 100-95

A- 94-90

B+ 89-87

B 86-83

B- 82-80

C+ 79-77

C 76-73

C- 72-70

D+ 69-67

D

F

66-60

F 59 or

below

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/enrollment/holidays/

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