Syllabus

Course Code: EDS 152 50 93 (36057 ) Units: 3.0 Academic Credits Registration: (916) 278-6984

Course dates: February 21 – April 15, 2009
Course Orientation: Saturday, February 21
Final exam: Saturday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., April 11, 2009

There are only two in-person meetings for this course: one meeting for the orientation and another meeting for the final exam. Both meetings are optional but encouraged. The rest of the course is online.
Use: www.Lifeprint.com/cce/ as your homepage for the course. The orientation and final exam will take place at Napa Hall, College of Continuing Education, 3000 State University Drive East, Sacramento, CA 95819-6103. The specific room # will be posted in lobby. See: http://itweb.csus.edu/map/ for a map of CSUS.

Note: This course may be taken entirely at a distance. Students who take the final exam at a distance will need to secure an approved local proctor and pay a $20 testing fee. See the "Instructions for distance education students" section below.

Instructor: Belinda G. Vicars
Email: BelindaGVicars@aol.com

College of Continuing Education (CCE) Information: For help with registration, payment, and credit questions: Emily Ballesteros, Program Coordinator, eballesteros@csus.edu (or balleste@cceex1.cce.csus for some firewalls), (916) 278-4813, Fax (916) 278-3685, California State University Sacramento, College of Continuing Education, 3000 State University Drive East, Sacramento, CA 95819-6103. www.cce.csus.edu

Course description: Students will continue to expand vocabulary and improve skills upon acquired in Level 1. Expansion of conversational range will include talking about other people and activities, giving directions, and making requests. Students will also develop discourse skills appropriate for establishing connections with Deaf acquaintances and handling a variety of interruptions. Conducted online. Special note: This course will require 45 to 60 online contact-hours.

Course CD Pack: The materials for this course consist of the ASL Unit 4 through Unit 6 video-test series on CD. Cost: $50.00 Shipping & handling $5.95. Total amount: $55.95 (Tax already included).
Web address to order: http://lifeprint.com/bookstore/sale-cce-cds.htm
Or you may purchase the course pack at the orientation.

Website: The course makes extensive use of lessons 16-30 at the website: http://www.lifeprint.com

This syllabus and any later email communication from the instructor supersede whatever information you may find at the general website.

Procedure: This course is an online course. The learning and activities will take place on the web and/or digital media (CDs). You will complete 15 quiz assignments. You will do a research paper. You will do an expressive signing project (or submit a video-recorded signed presentation). And you will take a receptive final exam (either in-person from me on the testing date or by CD with a proctor).

Email Communication: I get lots of email and generally have to triage it. (Prioritize according to urgency.) If you have a timely question to which you need an answer in order to continue your work, you should include the phrase "REPLY REQUESTED" in your subject line along with your first and last name, and your topic.

Assignments	Points
Research Paper	100
15 Quizzes	450
Expressive Final Exam	200
Receptive Final Exam	250
Total:	1000

Total points possible: 1000. 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=E.

* You must pass the receptive and expressive finals with a score of 70% or higher to pass this class--regardless of your point total.

* If you score less than 70% on either your expressive or receptive final you will need to retake it and will be charged an additional $20 fee.

* All quizzes and examinations are cumulative. See the schedule below for due dates. For full credit, assignments are to be submitted on or before the due date.

Research Paper: The research paper is to be submitted via email. Note: just paste or type your paper into the body of the email, you do not need to include it as an attached document. Best approach is to do your work in a normal word processor document and save your work frequently. Then when you are ready to submit your paper copy it and paste it into an email and send to your instructor. Do not worry if this screws up your formatting or margins. That is okay. Just make sure your CONTENT is solid and you have references. For detailed instructions on how to do this paper, visit "Research Paper" in the Lifeprint.com Library

Quizzes: The quizzes are on 3 CDs. The CDs are in your course pack. The video on each CD has no sound and no titles or credits. They are simply me signing various vocabulary words and sentences. First I sign the number, and then the word or sentence. The first part of each quiz is vocabulary. The second part of each quiz is sentences.

*Note: There is a chance that these quizzes will be ONLINE by the time class starts. If so, I'll email you updated instructions. The CDs are based on the website (www.lifeprint.com):

If you go to http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/lessons/lesson16.htm, you will see the list of vocabulary and sentences. If you will go though this list and learn the signs prior to taking the quiz on the CD, you will recognize the signs that are being done on the CD. Feel free to watch the CD as many times as you need.

As you watch the CD it is important that you type, write down, or copy and paste from a study list the concepts that I am signing. Later you will send the answers to me.

There is a method you might want to try to make this easier. The CDs contain study sheets. The study sheets have the answers for five lessons each. The answers are out of order, but you could match them with what you see on the CD. Some people might even choose to copy the study sheets to their word processor and then cut and paste the answers into the right order while watching the CD. To submit these answers go to http://lifeprint.com/asluquizzes/ and input them.
Make sure to keep a copy of your answers. After you have input a quiz fee free to email the instructor and let him/her know that you have submitted a quiz.

Remember, your quizzes are based on the CDs, in your course pack of materials. Do not mistake any practice quizzes at the end of the lessons for your assigned CD quizzes.

You should go through the lessons sequentially starting with the first lesson for your level. Go to the website www.lifeprint.com and enter the main campus. Find the "Lessons" link and click on it. Then open up lesson 16. Read through the lesson and click on the links to the vocabulary. For each vocabulary link you should read the whole page and do the sign until you have it memorized. Then sign all of the practice sentences and read any of the other material in the lesson. At or near the bottom of the lesson find the "quiz" link which will take you to that lessons' quiz page. Go through the practice quiz if you'd like, but the goal is to take the "real" quiz on the CD. To help you do that I've created "answer sheets" with the numbers already typed up for you plus I've created the Lifeprint.com/asluquizzes/ page.

Receptive Final: For "in person" students this test is taken in person with me on the date listed in the schedule. (Distance Education students should see the note below regarding using a proxy.) I will sign various sentences or concepts to you. Write them down (or type them) in English or ASL gloss (just string the ASL signs together). If you miss a concept or change the meaning of the sentence you might miss the whole sentence so study and practice diligently prior to the test. Don't try to bluff your way through this test. The sentences are based on the practice sheets in the lessons. It is important for you to do the practice sheets throughout the course so you will be able to do well on your final. These sentences will be extremely similar to the ones on the website and on the CDs. Additionally you may be tested on individual vocabulary.

Expressive Final: This test is taken in person with me by appointment. (Except for "distance education" students. See below.) Most students take it on the same day they take the receptive final. For example, I give the receptive final, and then the students take turns doing their expressive final.
You are to introduce yourself, tell me about your family, where you are from, and what you do. This should only take five or six sentences. Then I'll ask you to sign several sentences from the lessons. Pay particular attention to your "yes/no" and "WH-question" expressions for each sentence (because I'll be looking for your facial expressions in addition to your vocabulary and general fluency). I'll ask you to show me how to sign the numbers 1 – 30. Plus I'll ask you to fingerspell (not sign) the sentence: "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dogs." The faster and clearer you spell, the higher I'll grade it.

Make ups and backups: Since this class is offered via the web and you can submit your quizzes via email--I reserve the right to give you zero for late submissions of quizzes. Prepare ahead of time and have backup internet access in case your regular computer crashes. If your computer is prone to crashing, save your work often and submit it early. Dead computers are not an excuse for late work. If you are in doubt as to whether your email has gone through, send a separate email with the subject line "*** ASL Student- Reply requested." Keep a backup copy of all submissions until the end of the course and your documentation has been received. Check your CDs as soon as you get them. Make sure all disks work ahead of time. Keep them scratch free so they keep working or transfer the video file to your hard drive.

Legal matters: This next section is pasted from my in-person class syllabus. I realize all of the following may not apply to an "online course" but I will apply it to the extent that it can. 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. No makeup tests without an obituary of a relative or a note from your medical professional or school administrator. 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 0 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.

Pep talk:
You can do this. I have near infinite patience. I love teaching and explaining ASL. If you have questions, ask in class or just email them to me and I'll 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. 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.

Instructions for Distance Education Students:
If you will not be taking the final in person on the date listed in the schedule and will instead be taking it via a proctor, email the instructor and identify yourself as a Distance Education CCE EDS ASL student.
Pay the $20 final exam fee: Click here to pay. This fee covers the grading and processing of the receptive final test and of an expressive video in lieu of the expressive final exam.
You will need to submit the name of a proctor for your receptive final exam. (See proctor instructions below.)
You will need to submit an "expressive video" in lieu of your expressive final exam.
The expressive video may be electronically submitted or via snail mail: Belinda G. Vicars 8506 Everglade Dr., Sacramento, CA 95826.

Receptive Final:
This test may be taken at a distance under the supervision of a proctor.
Select a responsible adult as a proctor (see list below). Inform me that you want to take the receptive final via distance education, and that you are submitting your proctor's information for my approval. Submit his or her name, mailing address, phone or vp (video phone) number, email address, and job title. After receiving your payment I will contact your proctor and supply him or her with either a video-file on a disk with instructions to download such a file as well as instructions for taking the receptive final. On the video I will sign 20 to 30 sentences to you. Write them down (or type them) in English or ASL gloss (just string the ASL signs together). Then have your proctor paste your answers (sentences) into an email and send them to me.

Clergy able to be identified with a specific temple, synagogue, mosque, or church

Unacceptable Proctors:
Business associates, coaches, co-workers, friends, peers, relatives, pets, or undergraduate students.

Expressive Final = Expressive Video:
Instead of taking the Expressive Final, distance education students need to create an expressive video:
Pick one sentence from each of lessons 16 through 30. You should end up with 15 sentences.

Copy the sentences to a new document and number them 1-15. Then use a video recorder to record yourself. Introduce yourself, tell me about your family, where you are from, and what you do. This should only take five or six sentences. Then record yourself signing each of the 15 sentences the same way I videotaped mine. For example, sign the number and then the sentence. You need only show me the sentence one time. Pay particular attention to your "yes/no" and "WH-question" expressions for each sentence (because I'll be looking for your facial expressions in addition to your vocabulary and general fluency). Next, fingerspell the sentence: The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dogs." The faster and clearer you spell, the higher I'll grade it. Note: Remember how I told you to number your sentences? I'll be grading your numbering too. For example, if you show me a "six" when you meant a "three" I'll take off points.

If you stop once or twice during the videotaping due to some technical issue or whatever I won't be concerned. But stopping between each question indicates a lack of preparation and smacks of not knowing the material well enough to simply sign the sentences without having to look each sentence up on the web or from a CD. Some students tape record themselves reading the sentences out loud and then play back the recording while signing the sentences to the video camera. That’s okay. I've even seen students go so far as to write the sentences on poster paper and stick them on the wall behind the camera so they can read them while signing to the camera. That’s okay, but a lot of work. You can just print out a paper with their sentences on it and put it in front of you. I don't mind if you lean forward to read the sentence and then look up at the camera and sign it. Then print off your script and email it to me (so I'll have an electronic copy to edit and make notes on for your feedback). Next, mail your video to me OR upload it to a server such as youtube.com if you feel like it. I'll correct it within a week or so of receiving the video. And then I'll email your feedback.

* You may submit your video on any of the following: VHS-format full-size cassette, Mini-DV cassette, Video-CD (VCD) using MPEG-1 formatting, Digital Video Disk (DVD) using [DVD-R+, DVD-R-, or DVD-ROM], or as a video file on either CD or DVD in Windows Media File format, QuickTime, Flash, or you may upload it to a server (such as youtube.com). If you are sending it via traditional mail (snail mail), send it a minimum of ONE WEEK prior to the final exam date. If you are submitting it via upload, upload it by midnight BEFORE the final exam date. If your video isn't "good enough" as judged by your instructor, you will be given instructions for improvement and required to do the video again. This is regardless of your other scores. Remember, I expect you to get 70% or better on both your expressive and receptive final in order to pass this course.

Log onto the web & study:	Take the quiz on this video:	Do these numbers	Submit as Quiz #	Date Due	Score Possible
Lesson 16	Unit 4	Numbers 1-53	16		30
Lesson 17	Unit 4	Numbers 54-99	17		30
Lesson 18	Unit 4	Numbers 100-149	18		30
Lesson 19	Unit 4	Numbers 150-194	19		30
Lesson 20	Unit 4	Numbers 195-242	20		30
Lesson 21	Unit 5	Numbers 1-55	21		30
Lesson 22	Unit 5	Numbers 56-107	22		30
Lesson 23	Unit 5	Numbers 108-152	23		30
Lesson 24	Unit 5	Numbers 153-202	24		30
Lesson 25	Unit 5	Numbers 203-247	25		30
Lesson 26	Unit 6	Numbers 1–46	26		30
Lesson 27	Unit 6	Numbers 47–94	27		30
Lesson 28	Unit 6	Numbers 95–137	28		30
Lesson 29	Unit 6	Numbers 138–185	29		30
Lesson 30	Unit 6	Numbers 186–228	30		30
			Paper		100
			Video		200
			Final	April 11,2009	250
		If your final is below a C-	Retake Final	April 18, 2009
			Total		1000