Instructor:
Dimitri Azadi
E-mail:
dimitri.azadi@bellevuecollege.edu
Phone: 425-564-4159
Office
location: B132
Office
Hours: By Appointment
Course Description
ASL
2 is the second quarter of the first year of college level, transferable,
language education designed to introduce the student to American Sign Language
(ASL) and to the people who use it. In
the study of ASL as a second language the student will expand his or her
knowledge of fundamental ASL grammar and communication, will discover issues
unique to the Deaf community in America, and learn that this beautiful,
natural, rich language cannot be separated from the community that developed
it. Above all, this is a class that
requires your attendance, involvement, and practice if you plan to succeed.
Course Outcomes
How Outcomes will be
met
Web Resources Many of your class
guidelines, assignments, homework, and handouts are accessible to you only
through the internet. You will need to check frequently to find the resources
you need. You can find these important
materials in MyBC:
If you haven’t used “my bcc” yet, log on to create
an account as soon as possible. It may
take a few days for your classes to show up on that site. Be patient.
Once your MyBC account is up and running, check it frequently for class
handouts, study guides, homework, and more. If I posted something, I don’t want
to hear, “I didn’t know.”
Attendance &
Participation: 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 or you cannot 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 was missed
If you missed a handout it is your responsibility to make a copy of that
handout from a fellow student or to contact the instructor for a copy. Make-ups are
not possible for missed tests or quizzes. Your attendance will be recorded and your
percentage of attendance will be 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. Attendance -100 and Participation – 100 Total = 200 Points
Quizzes: Throughout the quarter, you
will be quizzed on each unit. Specific dates will be announced in class. Possible Points: 100 each = 400 Total
Self-Evaluation: There will be two group
activities that will include a way for you to evaluate yourself by using
feedback from your classmates. I will announce these during class. You will
then write a paper to turn in to me. 50
Points each. Total 100
Deaf History
Project: I will provide a list of
potential topics from which you may choose. You will create a PowerPoint
presentation for the class. You will be able to present in English. Due: February 3 Possible Points: 200
Fingerspelling
Quizes: There will be surprise fingerspelling
quizzes worth ten points each.
Possible
Points: 100
Deaf Activity: You will be required to
attend at least THREE deaf community
activities or events. Information will be given out in class. This will help
increase your receptive and expressive skills. The more you are involved, the
more fluent you become. Events are widespread in the Seattle metro area. I will
post an assignment for the paper you will write regarding this experience. All
must be contacting Deaf people. No videos or movies can substitute. One of
these can be going to an interpreted event.
Possible
Points: 100
Homework: Book exercises and other
assigned homework activities.
Possible
Points: 100
Total
Possible Points: 1200
Grading
Grading: Your grade is a numerical reflection of the effort
and dedication that you invest toward your learning of this subject and you’re
ability to apply what you have learned.
You are the only person responsible for your grade. The sum of all of your work points comprises
this numerical value that is your grade.
As per BC policy, you will receive a letter grade after the completion
of the quarter. This letter grade is
assigned as an equivalent to your total earned numerical points. You must have no less than 60% of all
possible points to receive a passing grade in this class.
There are a total of 1200 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.
Grading: |
|
Points for this
class will be earned in the following areas: |
||||
A |
96% |
|
|
Attendance |
100 |
|
A- |
90% |
|
|
Participation |
100 |
|
B+ |
87% |
|
|
Signing Naturally Quizes |
400 |
|
B |
83% |
|
|
Self Evaluations |
100 |
|
B- |
80% |
|
|
Deaf History Project |
200 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fingerspelling Quizes |
100 |
|
C+ |
77% |
|
|
Homework Assignments |
100 |
|
C |
73% |
|
|
Culture Contact |
100 |
|
C- |
70% |
|
|
Total: |
1200 |
|
D+ |
65% |
|
|
|
|
|
D |
60% |
|
|
|
|
The College Grading Policy
is located on page 10 of the Course Catalog and also on the web at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/policies/3/3000_grading.asp.
Books and Materials
Required
Signing Naturally Units 1-6. Smith, Lentz, Mikos
(2008) Dawn Sign Press
Signing Naturally Units 7-12. Smith, Lentz, Mikos
(2008) Dawn Sign Press
1001 Signs for ASL Students, Volumes 1 & 2 (ASL
Course Packet & DVD)
Instructor’s
Expectation
Course Policy: During
the class, the use of voices is prohibited. Your voice is not invited to the class. The Instructor will voice only necessary
discussions and students may be invited to do likewise; however, one cannot
learn ASL by practicing spoken English.
That is why a silent environment will be maintained throughout the class,
unless otherwise established by the instructor.
Upon the teacher’s discretion, a penalty of 5 points per infraction may
be implemented for students who speak in class without the teacher’s
permission. Whispering is not allowed.
Respect of
Others: In starting, I will give
you the benefit of the doubt that you as an adult can handle responsibility for
your actions. I will expect courtesy, attentiveness, and a willingness to
learn. In so doing, you will earn my respect as a responsible adult, and be treated
accordingly. What I will not tolerate is your interference in another student’s
learning experience. That includes, distracting noise or behavior, Cell-phone
use, text messaging, whispering, insults, cruelty, harassment (of any kind),
or ridicule of others. I am sure that you as a responsible adult will not
tolerate these things either. I whole-heartedly believe that learning requires
the making of mistakes. My classroom is a place where your well-intentioned
errors are welcomed. Sometimes, mistakes are funny and laugher follows
naturally, good-natured laughter is welcomed, especially where we learn to
laugh at ourselves -- with our classmates not AT them. Keep in
mind that no one feels free to take risks in an environment where they fear
being ridiculed or criticized and learning requires risk-taking. You are
responsible for creating an open environment where all are feel free to make
mistakes, and find understanding, and support from those around you. In other
words:
EVERYONE
is to feel WELCOME in my class. If you change that feeling for anyone you will
be asked to leave. YOU REALLY DON’T WANT TO CHALLENGE ME ON THIS. A second
offense would mean a trip to the behavior compliance officer.
Active Listening: Active Listening Behaviors:
Certain “active listening” behaviors are expected as part of American Sign
Language. That is, certain manual
(Oh-I-See; Huh?; Wow; Really?) and non-manual signals (Nodding; Facial
Expression; Mouth Movements) are not only ways of showing the signer that you
understand, but it is a Social Norm! ~ Part of the culture. Blank looks or lack of active listening
behaviors will not only interrupt the conversation (such as causing your
instructor to stop and ask if you understand, or needlessly repeat the
information), but can be interpreted as rudeness in many social situations.
Areas of note:
· I strongly encourage classmates to get together and practice
outside of class to maintain signing skills. Look for ways to keep your hands
moving every day! Trust me! You will appreciate what it does for you! If you have any concerns or are in need of
help please feel free to see me. I am here to help each of you. My goal is that
all of you enjoy and pass this course!
· Signing Naturally is the
main text of this class. A combination workbook and video, it gives you
out-of-class exercise in reception, translation, and understanding not only of
American Sign Language, but of the culture that uses it: American Deaf
Culture. It is your responsibility to
work and re-work the lessons until the information becomes completely
understandable to you. You MUST stay abreast of scheduled
workbook assignments and bring to class any questions that arise. Not
all exercises in the chapter will be done in class; nevertheless, you will be
responsible for all of the material in the assigned chapter. Reading and practicing is your
responsibility. Your ability to follow through on this responsibility will
be measured by means of regular Signing Naturally Quizzes.
These quizzes will include vocabulary and grammar from the assigned
chapters of your workbook
.
· You are expected to assist your classmates and facilitate
their effective learning by letting them wrestle with their own questions.
Whispering answers to them does not help them learn anything.
· Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!! It is through our attempts
and mistakes that we learn. Instead of looking at each mistake as a reason for
embarrassment, think of each one as a place you learned. How many mistakes did
I make this week? Wow! I am learning a lot!
=)
· While I endeavor to grade papers and exams as quickly as
possible to return them to you, I cannot always get them back to you by the
next class. Please be patient and I will make sure you get them as quickly as I
am able.
· Grades are based on your work and learning throughout the
quarter. This means that grades are not negotiable. Doing some extra credit
assignment to improve your grade, when you cannot show me that you actually
learned any more devalues the meaning of
a grade. If you want a better grade, start from the beginning of the
quarter and do the work.
*Inclement
weather: please check Bellevue College’s website. I will email you with
instructions if necessary*
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.
http://bellevuecollege.edu/about/goals/inclusion.asp
Division Statements
Arts and Humanities
Division Policies for student procedures and expectations can be found here: http://bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/policy.html
Student Code
“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 the instructor or classmates.
The instructor 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
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: https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam
.
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 Computing Services website.
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 us as soon as possible. If you
are a student with a documented autism spectrum disorder, there is a program of
support available to you.
If you are a person who requires assistance in case of an
emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc,
please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan within
the first week of the quarter.
The DRC office is located in B 132 or you can call our reception
desk at 425.564.2498. Deaf students can reach us by video phone at 425-440-2025
or by TTY at 425-564-4110. . . Please visit
our website for application information into our program and other helpful
links at www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc
Public Safety
The
Bellevue College (BC) Public Safety Department’s well trained and courteous
non-commissioned staff provides personal safety, security, crime prevention,
preliminary investigations, and other services to the campus community, 24
hours per day, 7 days per week. Their phone number is 425.564.2400. The Public Safety website is your one-stop
resource for campus emergency preparedness information, campus closure
announcements and critical information in the event of an emergency. Public
Safety is located in K100 and on the web at: http://bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/
Final Exam Schedule
The fourth Signing
Naturally Quiz serves as the course final. Please refer to calendar.
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.