Course Syllabus

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 130: FINGERSPELLING

Adjunct Professor John T. K. O’Loughlin, MA

Email: john.oloughlin@gcccd.edu

Class schedule: Asynchronous

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:00 PM via Zoom

ZOOM ID: 386 704 5399

Zoom Link: https://palomar-edu.zoom.us/my/professorjtko

Section: 1096

Course length: 17 weeks Units: 3

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

This course is taught using American Sign Language (ASL). The primary focus of this course is to become skilled in using the American manual alphabet (Fingerspelling). Students will be aware of how and when fingerspelling should be used within ASL. Upon completing the course, students will demonstrate the skill to accurately use and comprehend ASL fingerspelling and numbers within conversational contexts.  

ASL courses can fulfill the Humanities general education requirements for the associate degree, IGETC, and transfer degrees. They are also transferable to other colleges and universities. 

COURSE PREREQUISITES 

A “C” or “Pass” grade or higher in ASL 120 or equivalent ability to sign. 

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIAL
Keast, Missy. ASLinside Fingerspelling Basics Online Course. Scottsdale, AZ: Online fingerspelling program. Basic Level. 

To find our section, enter my email (john.oloughlin@gcccd.edu) and search “FALL 2024 ASL 130". 

SUPPLEMENTAL COURSE MATERIAL

Johnson, Robert E., Patrie, Carol J. Fingerspelled Word Recognition through Rapid Serial Visual Presentation. San Diego,  CA: DawnSignPress, 2011. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES 

The student will: 

• Accurately produce the fingerspelled alphabet in American Sign Language. 
• Recognize and produce fingerspelled items within a larger context. 
• Evaluate communication contexts to determine the appropriate use and placement of fingerspelled words.
• Accurately produce a variety of manual numbers in ASL. 
• Compare and contrast appropriate expressive and receptive fingerspelling. 
• Compare and contrast ordinal and cardinal number systems. 
• Recognize ASL numbers and fingerspelling in the context presented using the strategy known as the 3Cs: Context, Configuration, and Closure, “closure,” as well as other receptive concepts. 
• Identify acronyms, names, titles, and places of popular Deaf oriented organizations and publications. 
• Analyze aspects of ASL grammar, vocabulary, and cultural issues as they relate to the use of fingerspelling. 
• Recognize and produce lexicalized signs. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

Upon successful completion of this course, our students will be able to do the following: 

1. Demonstrate skillful ability to produce and comprehend fingerspelled words and numbers individually and within a conversational context. 
2. Identify and use lexicalized fingerspelling appropriately. 
3. Demonstrate an awareness of and ability to use fingerspelling as a clarifying or bridging tool between ASL and English in an explanatory or educational context. 

INSTRUCTOR COMMUNICATION POLICY 

I am here for you! I prefer that you contact me through Canvas inbox. If you have questions not answered through discussion board discourses, website FAQs, or student-teacher interactions, please inbox me via Canvas Inbox.  Inbox messages are the best way to communicate with me even though your message goes to both my inbox and campus email address. If you contact me Monday-Friday, I will respond within 24 hours. I may also reply during the weekends, but I am mostly unplugged. Please plan accordingly. Any inquiries sent over the weekend may be resolved on the following business day. 

COURSE SCHEDULE and OUTLINE 

This online course will begin on Monday and continue for 17 weeks, averaging one unit per week. Each unit will officially begin each Monday and will be due the following Monday. Inside each unit will be two aspects: ASLInside and teacher lectures. Each unit will be titled based on the content covered on ASL Inside. I will provide teacher lectures based on review from RSVP. The course is divided into fifteen units. Each unit will appear in the Modules section of the course.

TIME COMMITMENT & RECOMMENDED SKILLS 

This is a three-unit language course, so expect to spend approximately eight to ten hours a week online. You will complete at least one full unit each week. If you find yourself experiencing challenges logging on or navigating on Canvas, try this first (canvashelp.com), and please contact your campus services if you have any more trouble. 

Your time commitment will vary based on your level of experience with technology. Be mindful of your workload, including personal obligations, work, and other classes. Although this class is designed for novice Canvas users, you should have the following: 

• Basic computer skills (word processing, e-mail, file management) 
• Basic internet skills (use of browser, searches, uploading/downloading files) 
• Familiarity with discussion boards 
• An open mind and willingness to try new things 

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Fairly recent Mac or PC (not more than three years old) with a current operating system 
• Current browser (Google Chrome or Firefox is preferred. Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge is NOT supported.)
• Broadband Internet connection for viewing online videos 

To see if you’re ready for this challenge called “taking an online course”, please take one or two of the quizzes at the bottom of the webpage in the following link and see how you do. You might be surprised. http://www.onlinecollege.org/ 2011/04/29/are-youready-to-be-an-online-student/ 

Q&A FORUM 

Please post course-related questions in the Q&A discussion forum that can be accessed from the discussion tool. Please remember that posts and replies are visible to the entire class. 

CONVERSATIONS (INBOX) 

If you have a personal question, please contact us using the Conversation tool within Canvas. You can access conversations via the Inbox link on the Global Menu.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

This class will feature online video announcements to expose you to different signing styles. Some video announcements will be made at the start of some units. I will post a text announcement when I need to communicate between these weekly announcements with the class. I recommend including announcements in your notification preferences to ensure you receive all the important course information each week. 

DISCUSSIONS & COLLABORATIONS 

Your participation is key. To master fingerspelling, you need to practice with your classmates. Inside every unit, you will have opportunities to interact with your peers and practice fingerspelling and learning tricks. Each discussion includes clear criteria for your required post and replies, including due dates and a grading rubric. 

ASSESSMENTS & GRADING 

This course has been designed as an active learning environment to ensure you leave the course feeling confident about your improving finger-spelling skills and abilities. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to how to practice fingerspelling. Each assessment will be scored based on the provided rubric. 

EVALUATION AND GRADING

ASLInside Assignments 30%

Weekly Interactive Dialogue Chain 20%

Weekly Partner Dialogue 20%

Midterm 15%

Final Exam 15%

 

Grading Scale

A 100-90

 B 89-80

C 79-70

D 69-60

F below 60 

LATE WORK POLICY 

Due dates are your targets. Ensure you complete all required coursework by the assigned due dates to receive full point value for each assignment. If you identify a challenge meeting a due date, let me know. Communicating with me before a due date will keep you and me in sync and ensure you do not get overwhelmed by unfinished work.  Please note that if you miss the deadline date for required coursework for a specific unit, you will still need to submit the required coursework before moving on to the next unit of the course. The following modules are locked until you complete all of the required tasks. Also, make sure you read the rubric that is attached to all assignments and discussions so that you have a clear understanding of the requirements needed for successful completion of each assessment. 

DROP POLICY 

To be safe from being dropped from this course during the first week, you must turn in your introduction video by August 26 at 11:59 pm. To remain in the course, you must maintain your online presence regularly. Our assessment website will monitor Your online presence via discussion board posts, responses, and video postings.  If you cannot keep up with the course and the due dates, communicate that with me through Inbox. This online course will allow you to maintain your involvement in the ASL community and keep up with your language practices. You will be dropped if you cannot be involved online and miss more than two consecutive due dates without any previous communication with me.  

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT 

All students are expected to adhere to the student code of conduct as outlined in the College catalog: http:// www.cuyamaca.edu/ascc/conduct.asp. You are expected to participate in the excellent educational experience that Cuyamaca provides with honor and integrity at all times. Any student who participates in dishonest behavior, plagiarism, or cheating will receive an “F” grade on the assignment in question, be reported to the Student Affairs Office, and be subject to college disciplinary procedures if applicable. 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY  

Each student is responsible for understanding the actions and behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating, within each class and in other campus venues. Students are encouraged to ask questions of instructors and are expected to read the college’s statement on Academic Fraud (located in the class schedule). Penalties for actions inconsistent with classroom, library, and College expectations for academic integrity range from a failing grade on an assignment, quiz, exam, paper, or project (which may lead to a failing grade in the course) to,  under certain conditions, suspension, or expulsion from a class, program, or the college. For more information and/or further clarification, please consult with your instructor or contact the Student Affairs Office. 

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 

The Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) at Cuyamaca College facilitates inclusive and sustainable learning environments and increases opportunities for access and success for students with verifiable disabilities through innovative support services. In accordance with Title 5 and the American Disabilities Act, Cuyamaca College seeks to ensure equitable treatment in all aspects of campus life. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact DSPS by phone at (619) 660-4239 (voicemail), or if you are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, you can reach Laura Brow (DSPS ASL Scheduler) at laura_brow@gcccd.edu. 

TUTORING CENTER 

Free tutoring services are available. To make an appointment, please contact the Tutoring Center at 619.660.4306 or email Veronica Nieves at veronica.nieves@gcccd.edu. You can also contact the Tutoring Center via email at Cuyamaca.Tutoring@gcccd.edu or by phone at (619) 660-4525.  

At Grossmont and Cuyamaca, we promote respect for all people, including those of diverse age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, perspective, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, education, or socioeconomic status.

 

Fall 2024 ASL 130 Course Schedule (subject to change)

WEEK	UNIT and TOPIC	WHAT IS DUE
1	Introduction to Fingerspelling 130	Introductions Acknowledging the Syllabus
2	Module 1: Alphabet	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
3	Module 3: Short Words	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
4	Module 4: Hand Location	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
5	Module 5: Numbers	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
6	Module 6: Midterm Preparation	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
7	Module 7: Online Midterm	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
8	Midway Check-in	Midterm Chats
9	Module 8: Days and Dates	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
10	Module 9: 50 States	Midterm Interviews  Online Midterm
11	Module 10: Time	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion

 

12	Module 11: Anatomy	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
13	FALL BREAK	THANKSGIVING BREAK
14	Module 12: Final Exam Preparation	ASLInside Assignments  Weekly Discussion
15	Module 13: Final Exam	ASLInside Assignments Weekly Discussion
16	Final Check-In	Final Chats Reflections