American Sign Language - BA
The ASL major at St. Kate’s allows students to study the language and culture of American Deaf people. As an ASL major, students will constantly strive to increase communicative competence in ASL as well as their ability to comprehend and appreciate ASL literature. Students will also study principles of translation, working from written texts and video texts. All courses students take with an ASL prefix will be taught in ASL, without the use of spoken English. As an ASL major, students are strongly encouraged to pursue a double major or a minor in a discipline that supports their interest in working with the Deaf Community. Students are also encouraged to participate in a study abroad program to further their knowledge of language and culture. Many ASL majors choose to double major in communication studies, education, nursing or psychology or pursue a master’s degree in ASL or a related field.
While at St. Kate’s, students will find many opportunities to use what they learn, both on and off campus. On campus, students may participate in the ASL Club, which organizes cultural and social events on campus such as ASL poetry readings or theatrical performances. They may also choose to live in the ASL Living and Learning Community (LLC), a residence hall floor for students interested in living in an environment that promotes the use of ASL. Students have also participated in the Assistantship Mentoring Program as research assistants, program assistants and teaching assistants. Off campus, students have found volunteer and Community Service opportunities at local Deaf schools, government agencies, theatrical venues, community organizations and political organizations. Nationally, students have attended and volunteered at conferences and internationally, they have participated in volunteer efforts in countries such as Kenya and Jamaica.
In their senior year, students may complete a community-based internship, which may take place in a variety of settings, including education, government, non-profit, human services or performing arts. Students help determine their placement, working in a setting where they are actively using ASL in meaningful work or pursuing a project related to ASL linguistics or other related topics.
The ability to communicate in ASL and in English is critical to both professional responsibilities and personal relationships, therefore:
A minimum grade of B- (2.667) is required for all prerequisite courses to be considered for admission into the major.
A minimum grade of B- (2.667) is required for an ASL or INTP course to be counted toward the major.
If a student does not receive a minimum grade of B- (2.667), credit toward the major may be gained only by repeating the course and not by proficiency exam. Courses may be repeated once.
A minor in ASL is also available.
See also: Interpreting.
This major is offered in the College for Women only.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASL 2010 | Introduction to American Deaf Culture | 4 |
| ASL 2500 | Fingerspelling Lab | 1 |
| ASL 3110 | Advanced American Sign Language I | 4 |
| ASL 3120 | Advanced American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASL 3330 | ASL Classifiers | 4 |
| ASL 3340 | Systemic Barriers to Disability Equity | 4 |
| INTP 3050 | American Sign Language and English Text Analysis | 4 |
| INTP 3060 | American Sign Language/English Translation | 4 |
| INTP 4210W | Senior Seminar | 2 |
| An additional course or learning activity with departmental advisor | 4 | |
| Prerequisite Course Work | ||
| ASL 1110 & ASL 1120 | Beginning American Sign Language I and Beginning American Sign Language II | 8 |
| ASL 2110 & ASL 2120 | Intermediate American Sign Language I and Intermediate American Sign Language II | 8 |
| Required Supporting Course Work 1 | ||
| COMM 1030 | Speaking to Lead and Influence | 4 |
| ENGL 2402 | Language in Society | 4 |
| ENGL 3400W | Language as Power | 4 |
| SOCI 3250 | Cultural Anthropology 2 | 4 |
| or SOCI 1000 | Principles and Concepts of Sociology | |
| Total Credits | 67 | |
- 1
Second degree ASL students do not need to complete the required supporting courses.
- 2
Or equivalent course to SOCI 3250 or SOCI 1000
American Sign Language majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors and the fourth writing requirement by completing INTP 4210W Senior Seminar and the writing-intensive supporting English course. They complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with two other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000W The Reflective Woman and CORE 3990W Global Search for Justice).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | ||
| ASL 1110 | Beginning American Sign Language I | 4 |
| SOCI 1000 | Principles and Concepts of Sociology | 4 |
| or SOCI 3250 | Cultural Anthropology | |
| Spring Term | ||
| ASL 1120 | Beginning American Sign Language II | 4 |
| COMM 1030 | Speaking to Lead and Influence | 4 |
| Fall Term | ||
| ASL 2010 | Introduction to American Deaf Culture | 4 |
| ASL 2110 | Intermediate American Sign Language I | 4 |
| ENGL 2402 | Language in Society | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ASL 2120 | Intermediate American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASL 3340 | Systemic Barriers to Disability Equity | 4 |
| Fall Term | ||
| ASL 3110 | Advanced American Sign Language I | 4 |
| INTP 3050 | American Sign Language and English Text Analysis | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ASL 2500 | Fingerspelling Lab | 1 |
| ASL 3120 | Advanced American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ENGL 3400W | Language as Power | 4 |
| ASL/INTP Elective | 4 | |
| Fall Term | ||
| ASL 3130 | Conversational ASL | 4 |
| INTP 4210W | Senior Seminar | 2 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ASL 3330 | ASL Classifiers | 4 |
| Total Credits | 67 | |