American Sign Language (ASL) and Interpreting

Contact Information

Name: Bridget Sabatke

St. Catherine University's American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Communities department strives to cultivate students' linguistic and cultural competencies, enabling them to engage effectively as active participants within the Deaf Communities. By emphasizing both language proficiency and cultural understanding, we aim to foster graduates who possess the necessary skills and sensitivities to bridge communication gaps and promote inclusivity and cultural competence.

The ASL and Deaf Communities faculty and staff embrace the belief that language and communication form the foundation of the human experience. They recognize ASL and English as vibrant languages that serve as conduits for expressing the values, beliefs, and worldviews of diverse populations. As change agents, the department is dedicated to employing comprehensive, innovative, and learner-centered approaches that bridge theory and practice. They foster safe, stimulating, and transformative learning environments, offering robust academic advising, and facilitating critical service-learning and internship opportunities. The faculty actively engage in research and continuous professional development to remain at the forefront of ASL and interpreter education, as well as to make valuable contributions to the realms of social justice and inclusivity.

Graduates of St. Catherine University's ASL and Deaf Communities program possess a high level of fluency in ASL and demonstrate cultural competency. They deeply respect and value deaf culture, displaying a strong commitment to upholding its principles. Equipped with critical thinking skills and ethical decision-making abilities, they actively contribute as allies within the deaf communities. These graduates emerge as leaders in the ASL and interpreting field, well-prepared to obtain the necessary credentials for their professional pursuits.

ASL 1110 Beginning American Sign Language I — 4 credits

In this introductory course students will engage in receptive and expressive language readiness activities as well as learn vocabulary, basic use of ASL grammatical structure and signing space, conversational regulators, fingerspelling and introductory aspects. Offered in the College for Women and the College for Adults.

ASL 1120 Beginning American Sign Language II — 4 credits

In this introductory course students will engage in receptive and expressive language readiness activities. In addition, students will participate in scaffolding learned signed vocabulary, new signed vocabulary. Scaffold and expand the basic use of ASL grammatical structure, signing space, conversational regulators, fingerspelling, and introductory aspects of Deaf culture. Offered in the College for Women and the College for Adults.
Prerequisite: ASL 1110.

ASL 2010 Multicultural Deaf Lives — 4 credits

In this course students will study the culture of the American Deaf community. This course will introduce students to various perspectives and theories about Deaf people and ways of viewing the Deaf Experience. This course aims to provide a view of Deaf people within the broad lens of human diversity and how they have historically shaped their own lives within society, including how society has responded to signed language and the presence of Deaf People. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite with concurrency: ASL 2110.

ASL 2110 Intermediate American Sign Language I — 4 credits

In this intermediate course students will engage in receptive and expressive language development activities. In addition, students will participate in scaffolding, learned sign vocabulary, learned new sign vocabulary, intermediate use of ASL grammatical structure, signing space, conversational regulators, fingerspelling, and continue to develop understanding regarding aspects of Deaf culture. Offered in the College for Women and the College for Adults.
Prerequisite: ASL 1120.

ASL 2120 Intermediate American Sign Language II — 4 credits

In this intermediate course students will engage in receptive and expressive language development activities. In addition, students will participate in scaffolding, learned sign vocabulary, learned new sign vocabulary, intermediate use of ASL grammatical structure, signing space, conversational regulators, fingerspelling, and continue to develop understanding regarding aspects of Deaf culture. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: ASL 2110.

ASL 2200 Applied ASL Skills — 4 credits

This course introduces learners to applying and expanding ASL skills such as classifiers, non-verbal and visual-gestural communication, fingerspelling, conversational styles, and various contexts. Learners explore how the signer’s perspectives influence the sign parameters, among other linguistic features and aspects, and will be equipped with additional cultural knowledge, enhanced language skills, and a rich toolbox to work directly with deaf community members.

ASL 2681 Directed Study — 1 credit

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

ASL 2684 Directed Study — 4 credits

ASL 3110 Advanced American Sign Language I — 4 credits

Designed as a lecture/lab course to expand students' vocabulary and develop their language skills and conversational fluency. Students will identify and apply strategies needed to give instructions, explanations, and provide factual information. Students will also learn how to discuss more complex topics such as finance and to effectively use persuasion in discussions that require decision making. Deaf community interaction required. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: ASL 2120.

ASL 3120 Advanced American Sign Language II — 4 credits

A continuation of ASL 3110, with an additional focus on narrative skills. Deaf community interaction required. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: ASL 3110.

ASL 3340 Systemic Barriers to Disability Equity — 4 credits

This course will critically evaluate systems in which people with disabilities exist and the impact identified barriers within the systems have on disability equity and justice. The lens will be through systems rooted in but not limited to education, medical, government, occupation, psychological sciences, humanities, art, social sciences, and/or media. Disability is the object for understanding the workings of a capitalist society or as a political category which through social, political, and cultural practices developed a cultural script marked by processes of normalization and an ontological experience shaped by a host of external factors. This course will also hold the deaf* experiences as a central part of the discussions alongside intersections with other characteristics. Offered in the College for Women and the College for Adults. * The term deaf refers to various deaf identities and ways of being in this world.

ASL 4602 ASL Internship — 2 credits

The internship gives students in the ASL and Deaf Communities major the intellectual support and opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the program to a real-world setting and participate in internships nationally or internationally. The course explores the role of culture in shaping and understanding human experience and engages learners in discussions regarding global competence, cultural intelligence, and the challenges/opportunities of living and working interculturally. Learners work with deaf community members directly using the target language that provides cultural immersion, language interaction, and cultural competency. Additionally, the course introduces learners to the basic principles of globalization and encourages them to integrate their academic coursework with their work experiences, career development goals, personal skills, and values. Evaluated by a faculty member within the major department and on-the-site supervisor, an internship challenges learners to reflect on practical, hands-on experience in a professional field related to the major. Internship placements must be approved and established prior to enrollment in this course by the ASL program coordinator.
Prerequisites: ASL 4200.

ASL 4684 Directed Study — 4 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

ASL 4952 Independent Study — 2 credits

Independent study offers students the opportunity for specialized research not covered in a course offering, by the action project or thesis. Students work with a faculty advisor to develop a learning contract, which specifies the content and objectives of the study as well as the requirements and procedures for evaluation. The amount of credit earned for the study also is included in the learning contract.
Prerequisites: Permission of the faculty and department chair or program director.

ASL 4954 Independent Study — 4 credits

Independent study offers students the opportunity for specialized research not covered in a course offering, by the action project or thesis. Students work with a faculty advisor to develop a learning contract, which specifies the content and objectives of the study as well as the requirements and procedures for evaluation. The amount of credit earned for the study also is included in the learning contract.
Prerequisites: Permission of the faculty and department chair or program director.

INTP 2020 Working with Interpreters — 2 credits

Students will be introduced to the profession of interpreting in this survey course through lecture, interviews, readings and projects. Students will use the Demand/Control Schema as a tool for analyzing different specialty areas, such as medical, educational and performing arts interpreting. Topics include an overview of the history of the profession as well as an introduction to linguistic, ethical, cultural and situational issues in the field. Offered in the College for Women.

INTP 2682 Directed Study — 2 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

INTP 3050 American Sign Language and English Text Analysis — 4 credits

In this lecture/lab course, students will analyze spoken and signed texts intralingually for both meaning and form. Through lecture, discussion and small group work students will develop the knowledge and competencies to compare and contrast the differences between ASL and English texts with an emphasis on discourse markers, register, topic shift, tense, pronomimalization and affect. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite with concurrency: ASL 3110.

INTP 3060 American Sign Language/English Translation — 4 credits

In this lecture/lab course students will build on the knowledge and competencies developed in INTP 3050. Through lecture, discussion and small group work students will examine theories of meaning transfer, with application to a variety of ASL and English texts. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: INTP 3050.
Prerequisite with concurrency: ASL 3120.

INTP 3210 Ethics and Decision-Making — 4 credits

This course will help guide students in clarifying their own values and then integrating that knowledge in the tasks of ethical decision making and problem solving as it pertains to interpreting. Readings, discussions and activities focus on developing their "ethical fitness" as a professional interpreter. Students will analyze the current codes of ethics for interpreters in the U.S. and Canada as well as compare various professional codes from other disciplines and identify underlying values. Case studies are used to integrate and apply knowledge learned in the course. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: INTP 2020.
Prerequisite with concurrency: PHIL 2200W.

INTP 4050 ASL/English Interpreting I — 4 credits

In this lecture/lab course, students will build on the knowledge gained in INTP 3050 and 3060. Using primarily a discourse-based approach, students will prepare for and consecutively interpret a variety of texts. Interpretations are analyzed, and students will identify linguistic, cultural, textual and situational factors influencing their choices to achieve meaning transfer. The efficacy of the consecutive format is also examined. Peer review and self analysis strategies are developed throughout this course. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: INTP 3060.

INTP 4060 ASL/English Interpreting II — 4 credits

In this lecture/lab course, students will develop knowledge and competencies for interpreting in a simultaneous format. A variety of texts and situations are presented for analysis and interpretation. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: INTP 4050.

INTP 4200W Work Readiness — 4 credits

This course is designed to move thoughts into action, preparing students for their internship experience as well as employment after graduation. Students will read and discuss current topics in the field, including access, equity, and intersectionality, culminating with a presentation on their field of interest. In addition, students will prepare for an internship in alignment with their future employment goals by developing a business plan, resumé, professional materials, and credentials (i.e.., NIC, CDI, BEI, ASLA, ASLPI, State Licensure, Agency Screening).
Prerequisites: Senior standing in the major.

INTP 4210W Senior Seminar — 2 credits

In this course, students will read and discuss research that has been completed in the area of ASL and interpreting. Students will determine a research topic and complete a literature review. The course culminates with students giving presentations on their topics. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: Senior standing in the major.

INTP 4310 Healthcare Interpreting — 4 credits

In this course students will analyze medical discourse and learn techniques for interpreting during healthcare interviews. Interpreting theory is applied through the use of videos and mock medical situations. Topics covered include the team approach to professional healthcare provision, pre- and post-sessions with the practitioner(s), ethics, role and boundaries, how to appropriately adapt the environment as needed, teaming with deaf interpreters and the use of translation, and consecutive and simultaneous interpreting in healthcare settings. Students will also build their medical vocabulary in ASL. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite: INDI 2220 or equivalent.
Prerequisite with concurrency: INTP 3050 or permission of instructor.

INTP 4410 Educational Interpreting — 4 credits

In this course students will develop knowledge, skills and strategies for interpreting in educational settings, pre-K through post-secondary. Linguistic, educational, developmental and interpreting issues are explored, as well as techniques for preparation and working as a member of an educational team. Other topics include: the educational system and values, the educational team, classroom accessibility, the IEP process, problem solving and decision making. Classroom observation required. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite with concurrency: INTP 4050 or permission of instructor.

INTP 4510 Specializations in Interpreting — 4 credits

In this course students will develop and apply knowledge, skills and strategies for interpreting in a variety of systems.The actions and strategies applied by interpreters in each setting differ in response to the needs of each environment. Students will learn to apply effective and ethical decision-making while considering the goals of the systems and consumers in each setting.

INTP 4602 Internship — 2 credits

Internship complements students' academic work through practical experiences in a community setting. Students will observe their host interpreter(s), and also interpret with direct supervision. The internship also requires that students attend internship salons, mentoring sessions and develop a portfolio.
Prerequisite with concurrency: INTP 4060. Permission of instructor granted by assessment.

INTP 4604 Internship — 4 credits

Internship complements students' academic work through practical experiences in a community setting. Students will observe their host interpreter(s), and also interpret with direct supervision. The internship also requires that students attend internship salons, mentoring sessions and develop a portfolio. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite with concurrency: INTP 4060.

INTP 4608 Internship — 8 credits

Internship complements students' academic work through practical experiences in a community setting. Students will observe their host interpreter(s), and also interpret with direct supervision. The internship also requires that students attend internship salons, mentoring sessions and develop a portfolio. Offered in the College for Women.
Prerequisite with concurrency: INTP 4060.

INTP 4682 Directed Study — 2 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

INTP 4684 Directed Study — 4 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses.
Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

INTP 4954 Independent Study — 4 credits

Independent study offers students the opportunity for specialized research not covered in a course offering, by the action project or thesis. Students work with a faculty advisor to develop a learning contract, which specifies the content and objectives of the study as well as the requirements and procedures for evaluation. The amount of credit earned for the study also is included in the learning contract.
Prerequisites: Permission of the faculty and department chair or program director.