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.

All courses in this certificate apply toward the fulfillment of requirements for the American Sign Language (ASL) Studies Area of Concentration within the A.A. degree in Arts & Humanities. 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.