MLL 232 - American Sign Language IV: American Deaf Sociocultural Issues

Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-D1-2
Focuses on intermediate level ASL acquisition, application and communication necessary for everyday and professional use. With a holistic approach, students will learn to identify and analyze socio-cultural-linguistic traits and concepts relevant to the Deaf community.

Prerequisites: MLL 231.
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground or Online-Asynchronous.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-D1-2 - Lower Division Social Sciences
Course Typically Offered: Spring ONLY

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Possess listening and speaking skills equivalent at least to the intermediate-mid level of the ACTFL Proficiency. Demonstrate the ability to understand main ideas and facts from interactive exchanges and aural texts. Demonstrate the ability to handle successfully a variety of communicative tasks in straightforward social situations.
Possess reading and writing skills equivalent at least to the intermediate-mid level of the ACTFL Proficiency. Demonstrate the ability to read consistently with increased understanding texts dealing with a variety of social needs. Demonstrate the ability write short, simple communications, compositions, descriptions and requests for information that are based on personal preferences, daily routines, common events, and other topics related to immediate surroundings
Translate U.S. Census questionnaire and/or Healthcare application form into the target language (ASL). Demonstrate the ability to explain the survey guidelines and to complete the survey both verbally and in writing.
Facilitate the community interviews, distinguish the socio-cultural-linguistic traits, and apply the knowledge of ethnolinguistic studies to understand how different ethnic groups perceive the world through the target language (ASL).
Compare the differences between English and the target language (ASL) in approaching the questions and in answering the questionnaires/surveys/forms and discriminating concepts/ideas that may be ‘lost in translation.’
Identify how the target Language (ASL) is complexly intertwined with deaf culture (they have evolved together, influencing one another in the process, and ultimately shaping what it means to be community).
Engage in group conversations and exchange information and opinions on a variety of topics.
Comprehend and express topics in large group and on video.
Compare and contrast ASL with English and also, Deaf culture with one’s own culture.
Engage in social interactions (through service learning) that are acceptable within Deaf culture.
Develop broader, more informed viewpoints of Deaf people and their life experience through critical thinking and Deafhood concepts
Engage in large group discussions using ASL to access information about the Deaf community/culture through service learning, which will lead to lifelong learning experiences
Continue use VGC to develop stronger fundamental skills for visual communication and fluency with a visual language.

D1-2. Lower-division Social Science Electives Learning Outcomes

specify how social, political, economic, and environmental systems and/or behavior are interwoven;
explain how humans individually and collectively relate to relevant sociocultural, political, economic, and/or environmental systems-how they produce, resist, and transform them;
discuss and debate issues from the course’s disciplinary perspective in a variety of cultural, historical, contemporary, and/or potential future contexts; and
explore principles, methodologies, value systems, and ethics employed in social scientific inquiry.