Program Manager: Jerri Seremeth
Email: jseremeth@frederick.edu
Program Description
Introduces students to the rich history and culture of the Deaf community. Students will gain fluency and mastery of American Sign Language (ASL) by acquiring foundational skills and knowledge of the Deaf community. Students gain cultural competency by becoming involved in their local Deaf community through coursework and internships. Students gain a solid foundation to further their studies in American Sign Language, interpreting, and education of the Deaf or other related fields. Students will transmit their knowledge and promote respect for the rich history and culture of their local Deaf community. Students will be required to complete the ASL Proficiency Interview before graduation.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Compare and identify linguistic components of and relationships between languages, spoken and signed.
- Create new local and global understandings of d/Deaf languages and cultures through assessments of current knowledge and independent research.
- Critically judge and assess the quality of current ways of thinking about language and culture on local and global scales.
- Converse fluently in ASL with peers, both Deaf and hearing, by applying the language in conversations, ASL storytelling, or narratives.
- Explain and apply the ASL grammar structures in dialogues.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Deaf culture, heritage, and Deaf values through signed presentations, papers, and written exams.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
- Students must complete a minimum of nine credits at the 200-level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Development (recommended) | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology (recommended) | ||
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| Arts Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Communication Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Communication (recommended) | ||
| ASLS 121 | American Sign Language I | 3 |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) w/lab | 4 | |
| Required General Education Elective | ||
| ASLS 124 | Introduction to Deaf Community and History | 3 |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| Select one PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course | 1 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| ASLS 120 | Visual Gestural Communication | 1 |
| ASLS 122 | American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASLS 125 | Depictive Verbs and Classifiers in ASL | 3 |
| ASLS 223 | American Sign Language III | 4 |
| ASLS 224 | American Sign Language IV | 4 |
| ASLS 230 | Deaf Culture and Oppression | 3 |
| ASLS 232 | Introduction to the Structure of ASL | 3 |
| ASLS 234 | Discourse Features and Analysis in ASL | 3 |
| ASLS 236 | ASL and English Comparative Analysis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ASLS 120 | Visual Gestural Communication | 1 |
| ASLS 121 | American Sign Language I | 3 |
| ASLS 124 | Introduction to Deaf Community and History (Milestone) | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology (recommended) | ||
| Credits | 13 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| ASLS 122 | American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ASLS 125 | Depictive Verbs and Classifiers in ASL | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3-4 | |
| Communication Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Communication (recommended) | ||
| Credits | 13-14 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| ASLS 223 | American Sign Language III | 4 |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| Select one PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course | 1,3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) w/lab | 4 | |
| ASLS 232 | Introduction to the Structure of ASL | 3 |
| Credits | 12-14 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| ASLS 224 | American Sign Language IV | 4 |
| ASLS 230 | Deaf Culture and Oppression (Milestone) | 3 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Development (recommended) | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Recommended Fifth Semester | ||
| ASLS 234 | Discourse Features and Analysis in ASL | 3 |
| ASLS 236 | ASL and English Comparative Analysis | 3 |
| Arts Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 60-63 | |
- 1
Take within first 24 credits.
Part-time Students
Part-time students should complete courses in the order listed on the pathway. Please contact program manager for questions about part-time status.
Students who take fewer than 15 credits each semester or who require developmental English or Math coursework will need additional semesters to complete their degrees. Summer term and January session classes may help students to make faster progress.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is offered in the specified semester only.