Course Overview
New for 2023!
This course introduces the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) and is designed for students who have little or no previous knowledge of ASL. Students will learn how to produce and comprehend simple sentences, to ask questions, and use commands, through various classroom and out-of-class activities. Grammatical principles and functions of language will be emphasized.
The language targets are:
- Sharing information about yourself and others.
- Talking about college classes and majors.
- Describing living situations.
- Places and travel.
- Talking about family.
- Talking about everyday activities.
These skills will begin students on the path to acquiring basic conversational skills in ASL. ASL competency will be centered on everyday communication, culture, connection, comparison, and community of Deaf American’s and student’s aspects of life. In addition to language skills, students will be introduced to Deaf Communities, basic history of ASL and Deaf education in the US, important Deaf figures, and some aspects of Deaf Culture. Learning appropriate cultural behaviors and conversational regulators in ASL will be an important part of the class.
All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University credit or noncredit transcript.
Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Introduce themselves in ASL and give basic background information about themselves.
- Describe their basic family structure and discuss personal interests.
- Be able to ask questions using appropriate ASL grammar to discover information through one-on-one conversation.
- Understand similarities and differences between Deaf and hearing cultures.
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: ASL 101
Format: Hybrid (2 weeks at Syracuse University, 4 weeks online)
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school sophomore*, junior or senior status – or a 2023 high school graduate.
*Rising sophomores are only eligible for the noncredit version of this course.
Credit: 4 credits or noncredit
Grading:
- Credit: A-F
- Noncredit: Pass/Fail
Cost:
4 credits:
- Hybrid Residential-Online: $5,255
- Hybrid Commuter-Online: $4,310
Noncredit:
- Hybrid Residential-Online: $3,895
- Hybrid Commuter-Online: $3,000
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – Hybrid: Combine on campus and online study. Experience Syracuse University on campus for two-weeks and complete the final four-weeks of your course online from the comfort of your own home – or wherever life takes you!
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College – Hybrid | On Campus Session: Sunday, July 2 – Friday, July 14, 2023 Online Session: Monday, July 17 – Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 | On Campus Class Time: MTWThF; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Synchronous Online Class Time: MTWTh; 3:30-5:00 p.m. | 4 credits or noncredit | Closed |
Course Requirements
Textbook Requirements
Click here to purchase your required textbooks from The Campus Store!
Please note, students are responsible for acquiring textbooks for this course. You will not be able to properly participate in this course if you do not get the proper materials. We strongly encourage you order your books to be picked up from The Campus Store, so that you can stop by and pick them up on your move-in day. *If you are a sponsored student, you do not need to purchase your textbooks.*
Technology Requirements
- Laptop or desktop computer with a webcam
- Reliable internet access
- A space conducive to taking an online class (without distractions)
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
Students will meet with the instructor in-person from 9 a.m. to noon for the first 2 weeks. After lunch, students will have two hours of conversation lab with the TA (1-3 p.m.)
After the students return home, courses will be partially synchronous with 1.5 course hours each day from 5-6:30 p.m. and an additional 1.5 hours per day.
Faculty Bios
Tamla Htoo
Professor Tamla Htoo is a proud Deaf woman. She was born in Myanmar (Burma). She escaped to Thailand at a young age due to civil war in her native country. In 2005, she settled in Syracuse, New York and became an American Citizen in 2012. Since 2015, Professor Htoo has taught American Sign Language (ASL) at several local colleges and is one of SU’s primary ASL instructors. She received Master of Arts in Adult Learning at the SUNY Empire State College in 2019. Outside of the classroom, Professor Htoo has worked closely with international Deaf New Americans/ Deaf refugees from Africa, Nepal, Thailand, and Myanmar. Professor Htoo is a co-founder of Deaf New Americans Advocacy, Inc. (DNAA) in Syracuse, NY. She enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling, reading books, and teaching ASL.