American Sign Language (ASL)

Welcome to Class!
I'm glad you are here! You can do this!
I'll be your guide as we travel into the world of ASL. I'm an ASL lexicographer (dictionary creator), webmaster, and immersion excursion guide. You've picked a great topic to be studying. ASL is an exciting subject that can open for you a new world of relationships and understanding. - Dr. Bill

Instructor:
William Vicars, Ed.D. (Dr. Vicars / Bill)
Email: [xxxx@xxxxxxxx.com] Phone: (xxx) xxx-xxxx (vp)
Office: Eureka 308
Office Hours: (Winter Intersession) M/T/W Noon - 1pm

Course description:
Students will continue to expand vocabulary and concepts acquired in ASL 1. Expansion of conversational range includes talking about other people and activities, giving directions, and making requests. Students develop discourse skills appropriate for establishing connections with deaf acquaintances and handling a variety of interruptions. Through in-class discussions/demonstrations, and course readings. Students are exposed to elements of Deaf culture and the Deaf Community.

Required textbook: [Textbook info goes here. Include enough information that the student could easily order the book online. If your campus has a bookstore, include information regarding the location of the bookstore.]

Websites: Lifeprint.com
Course home page link: [Link goes here.]
Place to learn fingerspelling: http://asl.gs
Place to improve your ability to read fingerspelling: http://asl.ms

Checklist:

   Read your syllabus thoroughly
   Know how to contact the instructor: [Contact info goes here.]
   Take the online quizzes (see the links in the schedule -- scroll down to the schedule). Keep backups of your answers until your grade is posted.
   Take each of the 3 exams, (see the schedule for the time and date)
   Take Dr. Bill out to lunch. (Just kidding.)

Examinations and assignments:
There are 700 points possible in this class.
To help you prepare for the final exam there are 18 study quizzes. Why do I call them "study" quizzes? Because they will help you study. They are worth about 5 points each. Some are worth more points (see the schedule). These quizzes can be quite helpful as far as helping you prepare for the final exam.

Assignments	Points
18 "study" Quizzes	Combined total of 100 points
Exam 1	100 points
Exam 2	200 points
Final Exam	300 points

Quizzes:
You study the lessons at Lifeprint.com. Then you take the quiz for that lesson. The link to the quiz for each lesson is found in the schedule in your online syllabus. Use those links! Lifeprint is full of various resources, videos and practice quizzes. So make sure you are doing the right quiz by using the links in YOUR SYLLABUS in the "schedule" section.

Final Exam:
The final exam is cumulative. I will sign various items (signs, spelled words, numbers, or sentences) to you. You can translate them to English or just string the labels of the ASL signs together. If you miss one concept or change the meaning of a sentence you may lose points for the whole sentence so practice hard and don't try to bluff your way through this test. These sentences will be similar to the ones on the website. Becoming familiar with the sentences on the website is a good way to practice for the test. But, the test sentences may use different combinations of vocabulary, so watch closely.

Grading:
Your course grade is based on your percentage of the total points possible:
Scale: 100-95%=A, 90 = A-, 87=B+, 83=B, 80=B-, 77=C+,73=C, 70=C-, 67=D+, 63=D, 60=D-, 59=F.

No-Voicing Policy:
This is a no voice class. During class time unless I give you permission you should keep your voice off and not whisper nor rely on "exaggerated mouthing." If another student voices to you, you should respond as if you couldn't hear them and ask them (by signing) to communicate with you by signing or fingerspelling (or even writing on paper or the board). I can reduce your grade, require you to wear ear plugs, or drop you from class for participating in voicing either as a participating listener or the one using voice. (But, usually I'll just ask you to sit somewhere else.)

Make-ups:
No make-ups without an obituary of a close relative and a copy of the "program" from the service or note on the funeral home's stationary, or a note from your medical professional specifically stating that you were too sick to take the test, or from school administrator on school letterhead. You are expected to attend if you want to get credit for the quizzes and tests. Traffic, sickness not requiring a doctor's visit, family responsibilities, and so forth do not count as "excused absences." However, if you are required to miss a quiz in order to participate in pre-approved University program non-optional school events such as being on an athletic team--show me the letter from your coach and then send me an email for instructions on how to handle your testing. Even if you do have an excused absence, I reserve the right to either give you a different but equivalent test or to simply assign the percentage of your most recent equivalent test or a future test. It has been my experience in over 17 years of teaching thousands of students that the low performers always have an excuse. The good students head to school early so traffic isn't a problem, allow time to find a parking space in a distant lot and walk the rest of the way, pre-arrange babysitting and work schedules, have backup plans for transportation, have cold-medicine on the shelf in case they get sick, and/or do well enough on most of their assignments and tests that missing a single day, assignment, or test (for example: to go to a funeral) will not hurt their grade. I encourage you to do the things good students do so you can get the grade that good students get. Good students, don't oversleep or get drunk and miss class then show up later with some made up story about their grandmother dying. If she did die, I'm sorry, (really I indeed DO extend my condolences). If I find out you have lied to me I will FAIL you for the course. Sure, that seems strict, and maybe I am, but that doesn't mean I'm not flexible and willing to work with honest, dedicated students. If you know your daughter's going to have surgery and you will have to miss a test, email me ahead of time and we will work something out.

Ethics, Attendance, Disabilities, and Class Environment: You may be dropped from class for checking your email during class or accessing websites other than lifeprint.com or asl.ms during class. You may be dropped from class for using your voice or whispering during class. Turn cell phones to vibrate or silent settings. Do not wear baseball caps during quizzes. No reading newspapers in class or other distracting behavior. No videotaping the lecture or bringing visitors or guests without permission. Students are always expected to work independently on graded quizzes and/or assignments unless specifically directed otherwise by the instructor. Assignments turned in late for any reason may receive no credit. For information on the University's policy regarding cheating and plagiarism, refer to the Schedule of Courses (Legal Notices on Cheating and Plagiarism) and the University Catalog (Policies and Regulations). Penalties for cheating and plagiarism may include receiving an F for a particular assignment, an F for the course, or expulsion from the university. Upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the university, students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation. For more information, contact the office of Services to Students with Disabilities. This syllabus and the schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent. [My lawyer made me say all that. Sorry.]

Pep talk:
You can do this. I have near infinite patience. I love teaching and explaining. If you have questions, ask in class or email me with your first and last name, the hour of your class, and the phrase "RESPONSE REQUESTED" in the subject line and I'll strive to get back to you within 48 hours. If you think I've overlooked your email, feel free to send your question again--I won't feel bothered--rather I'll be grateful for the communication (sometimes email doesn’t arrive). If there is something I can do to make the class better for you please do suggest it. This class may be one of your more challenging accomplishments but I know if you work hard and put in the time--you will succeed.

Date	In Class	Homework (online)	Score
Mon., Jan 03, 2011	Syllabus / Roll / Pics / Intro / Warm ups Lesson 16	Quiz 16 Quiz 17 Do before Tues	5 5
Tues., Jan 04, 2011	Lesson 17 Lesson 18	Quiz 18 Quiz 19 Do before Wed	5 5
Wed., Jan 05, 2011	Lesson 19 Lesson 20	Quiz 20 & UNIT 4 TEST Do before Thurs	5 5
Thurs., Jan 06, 2011	Lesson 21 First Exam (100 points)	Quiz 21 Quiz 22 Do before Monday	100 5 5
Mon., Jan 10, 2011	Lesson 22 Lesson 23	Quiz 23 Quiz 24 Do before Tues	5 5
Tues., Jan 11, 2011	Lesson 24 Lesson 25	Quiz 25 Do before Wed	5
Wed., Jan 12, 2011	Lesson 26 Lesson 27	UNIT 5 TEST Do before Thursday	10
Thurs., Jan 13, 2011	Review & Second Exam (200 points)	Quiz 26 Quiz 27	200 5 5
Mon., Jan 17, 2011	CAMPUS CLOSED	Quiz 28 Quiz 29	5 5
Tues., Jan 18, 2011	Lesson 28 Lesson 29	Quiz 30 & UNIT 6 TEST Do before Wednesday	5 10
Wed., Jan 19, 2011	Lesson 30 Practice Exam
Thurs., Jan 20, 2011	Final Exam (300 points)		300

		Total Possible:	700

Course	Class Days and Time	Location
EDS 52-02 10014 "ASL 2"	Monday -Thursday 9:00AM - 12:00 noon January 3rd - January 20th	Eureka Hall 307G