Course Title, Number, Section Number: ASL 202 Intermediate ASL - 0001 Course Meeting dates/times Tuesday/Thursday 9:00 am to 10:40 am Course Meeting room: synchronous online

Instructor: Christopher Walsh Office Location: Linguistics Office, Science Building, Wing A Room 305

Email: Christopher.walsh1@maine.edu Office Phone: Linguistics (207 780 4582, voice) Administrative Specialist: kelly.a.fitzgerald

Office Hours: By Appointment through ZOOM

If you email your instructor and do not get a response in 48 hours, please send an email to kelly.a.fitzgerald@maine.edu and dana.mcdaniel@maine.edu and they will make sure someone gets back to you. If you have technical questions about BrightSpace or GoREACT, please contact the class assistant first if we have one, then contact kelly.a.fitzgerald@maine.edu.

Course Materials & Books: You will need to have you own personal copy of this book that is in your possession by the beginning of the semester.

Required: Signing Naturally: Cheri Smith, Ella Mae Lentz, and Ken Mikos (2014) Units 7-12 Student Workbook and DVD. CA: Dawn Sign Press ISBN: 978-1-58121-221-1

• We will be covering Units 10-11 and parts of unit 12 this semester.*

Required: A Sign of Respect: Part TWO online program by Thomas K. Holcomb and Anna Mindess. Homework will be from the A Sign of Respect Part two (ASOR) curriculum. For returning students, you go open www.treehousevideo.com and scroll down to the Right box, “Renewing Your Access?” to fill out and enter the code. Also, for new students, you can purchase the program at: www.treehousevideo.com and scroll down to the LEFT box, “Have a Code From Your Teacher?” Enter the code:

Attention: USM and GoReact have agreed to include it on brightspace. When you click on any assignment with GoReact, you will see it. Therefore, you don't have to open a GoReact account or to sign it up!

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Course Description, including format: This is an intermediate course in American Sign Language (ASL). It will include extensive study of receptive and expressive use of ASL, as well as an introductory discussion of Deaf culture. Course content covers basic principles in the use of sign, sign vocabulary, and aspects of the grammar of ASL. In addition to class sessions, students will use written materials and other media outside of class. This course has a community interaction requirement of four hours over the semester. This requirement will be adapted to our online delivery this semester.

Format: This course will be delivered in a synchronous on-line format (some virtual face-to-face classes during scheduled hours in addition to online work that can be done on your own schedule, provided you meet weekly assignment deadlines. We will use three online venues: BrightSpace (the replacement for BlackBoard), Zoom (online conferencing), and A Sign of Respect (for homework). Students need to be available during the scheduled course time, although these hours may be divided among smaller groups of students meeting with the instructor (for a shorted time) and small group activities. The course will also involve viewing of lecture videos, discussion board assignments, and other online activities outside of the class time.

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to: a. Demonstrate skills of effective communication and analysis using ASL skills that correspond to

beginning level ASL or a score of at least level 1+ of 5 on the American Sign Language ProficiencyInterview (ASLPI).

b. Demonstrate competency in making requests, agreeing with conditions, asking for advice, discussingneighborhoods, describing your own neighborhood, describing a restaurant and suggesting a place toeat.

c. Mastery of agreement verbs, negations, numerical chunking, time, yes/no questions, topicalization.

d. Mastery of more intermediate storytelling techniques including depiction, spatial agreement,descriptive classifiers, instrument classifiers, locative classifiers, role shift and eye gaze.

e. Identify ethical issues raised by cultural representations, including what they suggest about students intheir diverse roles. Understand and show sensitivity to members of the Deaf Community as a linguisticand cultural minority.

Class Schedule and Assignments: Students need to be available for online interaction during the scheduled hours for this class. There will be virtual face-to-face meetings weekly with the instructor for at least one-hour during class hours. There will also be small group activities online during these times.

This syllabus is your contract for this course. However, there can be events that impact our schedule, or we may notice an error. An updated version of your syllabus will always be available on BrightSpace on the module labeled "SYLLABUS."

A course schedule appears below. Each assignment is designed to supplement your learning of ASL and Deaf culture. Whenever possible, assignments will be accompanied by a rubric, indicating our expectations for your work. We encourage you to review all videos and exercises available in your

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textbook as well as to explore the web to view ASL as much as you can. You are training your eyes to see and process this visual language and should take any opportunity to view video materials produced by Deaf signers. We will post links for a variety of optional ASL materials to explore as well: stories, interpreting lectures, etc.

Assessment: There will be no midterm or final. Instead, there will be exams at the end of each Unit with the exceptions of Unit 12 & 13, which focus only on stories/description. The assessments will be done in Goreact. The teacher will sign questions and you will reply by typing back. Also, you will express with your video recording. At the conclusion of the test, the video will automatically be uploaded to Goreact for assessment. Other assessments will include students’ stories.

Week: Topics Due: by last day of week Week 1 1/25-1/30

Syllabus Units 8-9 Review

Week 2 1/31-2/6

10.1 - 10.2 Dialogue 10.1

Week 3 2/7-2/13

10.3 - 10.4 Dialogue 10.4

Week 4 2/14-2/20

10.5 - 10.7 Dialogue 10.6 #1 ASL Investigation

Week 5 2/21-2/27

10.8 - 10.9 Dialogue 10.9

Week 6 2/28-3/6

10.10 - 10.12 ASOR II Unit 8-9

Week 7 3/7-3/13

12.8 – 12.9 Unit 10 Exam on 3/9 ASOR II Unit 10-11

Week 8 3/14-3/20

10.12/Unit 13 Live on zoom: Misplaced Item Story on 3/16

Unit 13: “The Room in a House” Video

Week 9 3/21-3/27

Deaf Spies No Zoom Class on 23rd

Deaf Spies Video ASOR II 12-13

Week 10 3/28-4/3

11.1 – 11.3 Dialogue 11.1 & 11.3

Week 11 4/4-4/10

11.4 – 11.6 Dialogue 11.4 & 11.6

Week 12 4/11-4/17

11.7 – 11.9 Dialogue 11.7 & 11.9

Week 13 4/18-4/24

12.10: Fables 11.10

ASOR II 14-15 #2 ASL Investigation

Week 14 4/25-4/30

11.11 – 11.13/Unit 1 Review Live on zoom: Fables on 4/27

Final Week 5/1-5/7

Unit 11 Exam on 5/4

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Grading Criteria: Unit Exams Unit 10- interactive exam 20 points

Unit 11- interactive exam 20 points ASL Reports Two ASL Investigations 5 points Live Stories Misplaced Item Story 15 points

Fable 15 points Homework ASOR II Units 8 - 15 5 points

Dialogue Assignments 5 points Retell/Narrative Deaf Spies 5 points

The Room in a House 5 points Participation Zoom Classes/Assignments 5 points

Total: 100 points

American Sign Language Assessment (ASLA)- All students are required to sign up and take the ASLA which is an ASL proficiency assessment interview with Anne Marie Baer. Please contact Anne Marie Baer at annemariebaer@gmail.com to make an appointment for the ASLA. You have until April 30th to take the ASLA and will receive 1 point if completed by April 30th. We encourage you to contact Anne Marie Baer as soon as possible for appointments in April and May. Her appointments fill up fast so contact her asap. You must have a score of 2 or better on the ASLA *and* a B in this class ASL 202 to enroll into ASL 401.

Homework: This course has 3 different types of homework. Homework will be from the dialogues, ASL Investigation reports on brightspace. Homework from the A Sign of Respect curriculum. For this course we are using Part 2. Do not purchase Part 1.

For the homework in the dialogues, ASL Investigation reports and all questions from A Sign of Respect Program: all submissions will be signed.

For the dialogues, each of you will have a partner and make dialogues on zoom videos.

ASL Investigation Reports: Students will submit a signed video on brightspace investigating a cultural, linguistic, or significant topic relating to the Deaf community. Both topics are familiar to those in the Deaf community. The instructions for each of the topics and rubric for the ASL Investigations will be posted on brightspace. Check schedule for due dates.

Deaf Events: Due to the current situation, homework has been provided for you to ensure that you will still have opportunities to develop your cultural awareness. However, this homework should not be considered an equal substitute for attending any deaf events. Your instructor will inform you of any face-to-face or virtual Deaf events you can participate in this upcoming semester. If you are able to attend, your instructor will also inform you how this will be graded. There will be a module in the class that lists

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upcoming Deaf events as well as a folder called TRAIN^ZOOM that lists events that were available and are now over. Each event you attend and submit a response to will earn 1 point. You can earn up to 3 points for 3 separate events and 3 separate responses. This will be considered as extra credit. Minimum expectations for Deaf Events:

• If attending an event virtually, you should expect to stay at least 30 minutes.• If you attend a face to face event, there should be at least 10 deaf people present.• For your response, sign your response to the event: state what event you attended, when

it was, what type of event it was. Also tell us how long you stayed and what yourpersonal observations were. Identify 3 things you noticed about the event from yourclass instruction/reading. Signing in the video should be approximately 2 minutes.

• Submit in Brightspace within 1 week of event.

Course Evaluations:

At the end of each semester every student has the opportunity to provide constructive feedback on the course. It is important to me that you take the time to let me know your thoughts about the course. I use your feedback to make improvements in the course materials, assignments, and outcomes.

Grade scale: 93 - 100 = A 90 - 92 = A- 87 - 89 = B+ 83 - 86 = B 80 - 82 = B- 77 - 79 = C+ 73 - 76 = C 70 - 72 = C- 67 - 69 = D+ 63 - 66 = D 60 - 62 = D- 0 - 59 = F

COURSE POLICIES

ATTENDANCE POLICYSince this is a visual language class, attendance at these Zoom meetings are required. However you still can have only 2 excused absences. Missing classes could have detrimental effects on your learning and progress in this course. Should you need to miss any classes, you should make efforts to make up for lost learning before the next class if possible. All classes will be videotaped, but this is no substitute for direct interaction.

CLASS CANCELLATION In Maine, we are used to snow days. Online classes can be affected by weather as well, causing power outages, etc. If inclement weather or other situations result in the University canceling classes, the schedule and campus locations of canceled classes will be posted to the USM website and announced on local radio and television stations. For information on weather delays and cancellations: https://usm.maine.edu/finance/weather-delays-andcancellations. You can sign up for text notification of university cancellations at: Any cancellations during the week of final exams will result in exams being rescheduled for the day following the last day of scheduled exams. We strongly urge all USM students to sign up for emergency text and/or email alerts in the event that USM experiences a delay or closure, or other emergency event.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Inclement Weather

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From time to time USM will close the University due to inclement weather. When the cancellation is for an entire day, the class content will be made up at another time or through additional, outside of class, assignments.

When the school opens late or closes early, and the time selected is during the middle of class, we will still hold the class unless you are otherwise notified by me. Two examples:

• If class starts at 1pm, but the University is closing at 1:30pm, we will still have class unless youhear from me.

• If class starts at 1pm, but the University is opening at 1:30pm, we will still have class unless youhear from me.

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM In face-to-face classes, cell phones need to be put away and laptops need to be used for in class work only. This cannot be as easily monitored on-line. However, we ask you to not use technology for other purposes during virtual face-to-face class time and to give your full attention to the instructor and other students. Eye contact is essential in an ASL class and it is rude not to attend.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY / PLAGIARISM Everyone associated with the University of Southern Maine is expected to adhere to the principles of academic integrity central to the academic function of the University. Any breach of academic integrity represents a serious offense. Each student has a responsibility to know the standards of conduct and expectations of academic integrity that apply to academic tasks. Violations of academic integrity include any actions that attempt to promote or enhance the academic standing of any student by dishonest means. Cheating on an examination, stealing the words or ideas of another (i.e., plagiarism), making statements known to be false or misleading, falsifying the results of one's research, improperly using library materials or computer files, or altering or forging academic records are examples of violations of this policy which are contrary to the academic purposes for which the University exists. Acts that violate academic integrity disrupt the educational process and are not acceptable.

Evidence of a violation of the academic integrity policy will normally result in disciplinary action. A copy of the complete policy may be obtained from the office of Community Standards and Mediation, online at usm.maine.edu/community-standards-mediation/academic-integrity or by calling and requesting a copy at (207) 780-5242.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS/ There is no cumulative final examination for this course. All tests will occur at the end of each course unit.

It is a USM academic policy that no tests or exams may be scheduled during the last week of classes.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND RESOURCES

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS The university is committed to providing students with documented disabilities equal access to all university programs and services. If you think you have a disability and would like to request accommodations, you must register with the Disability Services Center. Timely notification is essential. The Disability Services Center can be reached by calling 207-780-4706 or by email dscusm@maine.edu. If you have already received a faculty accommodation letter from the

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Disability Services Center, please provide me with that information as soon as possible. Please make a private appointment so that we can review your accommodations. We will make every effort to accommodate you. However, accommodations will not be made without a faculty accommodation letter, not will they be made retroactively. So, please submit your letter ASAP.

TUTORING AND WRITING ASSISTANCETutoring at USM is for all students, not just those who are struggling. Tutoring provides active feedback and practice, and is available for writing, math, and many more subjects. Walk-in tutoring is available at the Glickman Library in Portland, the Gorham Library, and the LAC Writing Center. For best service, we recommend making an appointment at https://usm.maine.edu/learningcommons/schedule-tutoring-appointment. Questions about tutoring should be directed to Naamah Jarnot at 207-780-4554. Interested in becoming a more effective, efficient learner? Check out https://usm.maine.edu/agile!

The linguistics department tries to offer language tutoring. We are currently looking into workstudy students who can be tutors for all the languages, including ASL, as well as an option for a weekly language table. Please check in at the beginning of the semester.

If you have seriously fallen behind, however, we recommend you get professional tutoring services by a Deaf mentor/tutor with native-level signing proficiency to catch you up. We will provide a variety of options for this on BrightSpace in a module called "TUTORING." You can expect professional tutoring to cost about $30/hour.

COUNSELINGCounseling is available at USM. The best way to schedule an appointment is by phone at 780-5411. More information is available at https://usm.maine.edu/uhcs.

RECOVERY ORIENTED CAMPUS CENTER (ROCC) A peer support community for students in recovery from substance abuse and other mental health conditions is available at USM. More information may be found online at https://usm.maine.edu/recovery or by containing ROCC at 207-228-8141.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY The University of Southern Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Amie Parker, Interim Director of Equal Opportunity, The Farmhouse, University of Maine Augusta, Augusta, ME 04333, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

STATEMENT ON RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE FOR USM STUDENTSAbsence for Religious Holy Days: The University of Southern Maine respects the religious beliefs of all members of the community, affirms their rights to observe significant religious holy days, and will make reasonable accommodations, upon request, for such observances. If a student’s religious observance is in conflict with the academic experience, they should inform their instructor(s) of the class or other school functions that will be affected. It is the student’s responsibility to make the necessary arrangements mutually agreed upon with the instructor(s).

TITLE IX STATEMENT

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The University of Southern Maine is committed to making our campuses safer places for students. Because of this commitment, and our federal obligations, faculty and other employees are considered mandated reporters when it comes to experiences of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating or domestic violence, and stalking). Disclosures of interpersonal violence must be passed along to the University’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator who can help provide support and academic remedies for students who have been impacted. More information can be found online at http://usm.maine.edu/campus-safety-project or by contacting Sarah E. Holmes at sarah.e.holmes1@maine.edu or 207-780-5767. If students want to speak with someone confidentially, the following resources are available on and off campus: University Counseling Services (207-780-4050); 24 Hour Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-871-7741); 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline (1-866-834-4357). DRAFT