Academic Credit Program | Academic Credit Program Index | American Sign Language/Deaf Studies

Option to Liberal Arts and Sciences, (AS.ASL/DEA)

Whenever people from two cultures that use different languages try to communicate, the message often needs interpretation. For instance, when (hearing) individuals who speak English try to communicate with Deaf individuals who use Sign Language (ASL), a qualified Interpreter for the Deaf is often requested, and sometimes mandated by law. With the enactment of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, professionals in today's global society need to be aware of, show respect for, and provide services to individual who use ASL. Knowing that they will interact with individuals from the Deaf community, astute professionals within education, social services, rehabilitation, medicine, mental health, criminal justice, business, and the arts, especially the theatre, choose to learn about this unique community, its culture, and its language.

This program is designed for students who intend to complete a baccalaureate degree in a chosen field (e.g. Biology, Business Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education, Nursing, Medicine, Social Science, the Arts) which serves individuals who are Deaf and who use ASL to communicate.

Students planning to transfer after graduation should consult the catalog of the College where they intend to complete their studies and enroll in courses which will meet their transfer requirements.

Students who complete the ASL/DEA Option to Liberal Arts and Sciences requirements should be able to:

• Understand and express ASL messages that incorporate Statements, questions, spatial location, classifiers, conditionals, rhetorical questions and idioms;
• Identify and use various linguistic structures of ASL including the parameters (I.E. hand shape, location, movement) of signs;
• Use and respond to facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal cues in ASL;
• Incorporate fingerspelling appropriately in a message;
• Define terms in the field of deafness and Deaf Culture;
• Discuss basic historical, social, political, recreational, medical, education, and linguistic issues that effect individuals who are Deaf/Hard of hearing;
• Give basic examples of geographical, generational, ethnic. and gender differences in ASL.

Graduates of this program customarily transfer to baccalaureate institutions. Graduates not immediately pursing an additional degree frequently work as paraprofessionals in the student's chosen field of study which serves individuals who are deaf and who use ASL to communicate. Positions in biology, such as lab technicians, business, computer science, criminal justice, medicine, or social services, such as office technicians, in education, such as teacher's aide or substitute teacher, are chosen.

General Education Courses	Credits
Written Communications (ENG 101 & 102 required)	6
Arts and Humanities (THR 101 recommended)	6
Social Science (PSY 101 & SOC 101 required)	6
Mathematics (MTH 113 recommended)	3
Natural Science (BIO 103/104 required )	7-8
Computer Science (CIS 101 recommended)	3
Total	31-32
Program Courses	Credits
ASL 101 Elementary American Sign Language I (Concurrent with ASL 103)	3
ASL 103 Deafness & Culture (Corequisite of ASL 101)	3
ASL 102 Elementary American Sign Language II (Concurrent with ASL 104)	3
ASL 104 Fingerspelling (Corequisite of ASL 102)	3
ASL 201 Intermediate American Sign Language I	3
ASL 202 Intermediate American Sign Language II	3
Total	18
Electives* (SPE 101, SPE 102, ENG 252 recommended)	15
Total Required for Degree	64-65

NOTE for transfer students ONLY : Applications for transfer into this option will be available Fall 2001 for acceptance into this option Fall 2002. However, application to BCC can be submitted at any time, and General Education Requirements can be taken prior to acceptance into Interpreter Education courses.

Contact Josie Durkow ext. 1318
Last Updated: 09/10/08