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American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
Part of the Behavioral Sciences Division
Two majors offered at Maryville College draw on American Sign Language, the Major in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies and the major in American Sign Language-English Interpreting. Courses and major requirements for the major in American Sign Language-English Interpreting are listed under American Sign Language-English Interpreting in this catalog.
Success in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies require being able to perceive signers’ faces, hand movements and body movements and being able to convey and receive ASL through these channels quickly at the natural pace of language. Also essential is the ability to perceive and process visual information and eye-hand coordination that allow effective communication. A good foundation in basic ASL is critical to advancing successfully in the Major in ASL and Deaf Studies.
The Major in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies is intended for those desiring to pursue studies in the areas of linguistics or anthropology at the graduate level or communication skills/cultural knowledge for use in counseling, social work, teaching, working in schools for the Deaf, or other service fields. Audio-visual materials are accessible for individual study of a broad cross-section of communication methods. Interactions with D/deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and regular practice using videotaping equipment are principal means for the development of skills. Successful graduates of the ASL studies major will be able to comfortably communicate in ASL receptively and expressively and to interact comfortably and appropriately in the Deaf community at entry level. The Major in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies requires 45 hours with 30 hours beyond ASL 110: American Sign Language I (4 hrs.) and ASL 120: American Sign Language II (4 hrs.) and 15 hours of related courses.
Learning Outcomes
Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:
- Develop a language foundation that promotes growth and flexibility through courses taught by Deaf, native ASL users
- Incorporate facial signals to convey grammatical information while signing
- Demonstrate conversational skills, such as turn taking, discussion of culturally-appropriate topics, and leave taking, while relating simple experiences and events
- Communicate well enough to establish and maintain social relationships with d/Deaf persons
- Function comfortably in a wide variety of situations in the Deaf community
- Demonstrate cross-cultural adjustment skills
Required courses include:
ASL 203: American Sign Language III (3 hrs.)
ASL 204: American Sign Language IV (3 hrs.)
AEI 215: Translation and Interpreting Readiness (3 hrs.)
ASL 305: American Sign Language V (3 hrs.)
ASL 307: History and Culture of the American Deaf Community (3 hrs.)
ASL 331: Introduction to Linguistics of ASL (3 hrs.)
ASL 335: ASL Literature (3 hrs.)
ASL 343: Practicum (3 hrs.)
ASL 351-352: Senior Study (6 hrs.)
Required related courses include:
PSY 101: Introductory Psychology (3 hrs.)
PSY 211: Child Development (3 hrs.)
PSY 306: Language Development (3 hrs.)
SLS 301: Social Sciences Research Methods (3 hrs.)
One of the following courses:
SOC 202: Social Problems (3 hrs.)
SOC 211: Cultural Anthropology (3 hrs.)
PSY/SOC 221: Social Psychology (3 hrs.)
The Minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies requires the following courses:
ASL 203: American Sign Language III (3 hrs.)
ASL 307: History and Culture of the American Deaf Community (3 hrs.)
Nine additional hours above the 100-level
The Minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies is not open to American Sign Language-English Interpreting majors.
Core Curriculum Requirements
Each student must satisfy the core requirements and requirements for individual programs of study.