Dr. Vicars American Sign Language ASL

Syllabus: "Sign Language Structure and Usage" (EDS 164)

Class	Class Days and Time	Location
Sign Language Structure and Usage EDS 164 Section 01 89613	Mondays / Wednesdays 10:30AM - 11:45AM	Eureka 307G

Schedule:

Fall 2013 Dates	Exams and notes:	Study: Linguistics of ASL 5th Edition	SacCT Quizzes Due before 11:59pm	Points	Other info:
Mon. Sept 02	Labor Day				Campus Closed
Wed. Sept 04		Up to page 4	Quiz 01	10
Mon. Sept 9		Pages 4 thru 8	Quiz 02	10
Wed. Sept 11		Pages 9 thru 15	Quiz 03	10
Mon. Sept 16		Page 16	Quiz 04	10
Wed. Sept 18		Pages 17 - 24	Quiz 05	10
Mon. Sept 23		Pages 24 - 42	Quiz 06	10
Wed. Sept 25		Pages 42 - 53	Quiz 07	10
Mon. Sept 30		Pages 54 - 59	Quiz 08	10
Wed. Oct 02	Exam 1	Pages 62 - 69	Quiz 09	100 & 10
Mon. Oct 07		Pages 70 - 79	Quiz 10	10
Wed. Oct 9		Pages 82 - 89	Quiz 11	10
Mon. Oct 14		Pages 89 - 94	Quiz 12	10
Wed. Oct 16		Pages 95 - 100	Quiz 13	10
Mon. Oct 21		Pages 101 - 107	Quiz 14	10
Wed. Oct 23		Pages 107 - 116	Quiz 15	10
Mon. Oct 28		Pages 116 - 125	Quiz 16	10
Wed. Oct 30		Pages 126 - 136	Quiz 17	10
Mon. Nov 04		Pages 137 -146	Quiz 18	10
Wed. Nov 06	Study online	Pages 146 -153	Quiz 19	10	Study online
Mon. Nov 11	Veteran's Day		(Campus closed)		Holiday
Wed. Nov 13	Exam 2	Pages 153 - 159	Quiz 20	200 & 10
Mon. Nov 18		Pages 159 - 166	Quiz 21	10
Wed. Nov 20		Pages 166 - 175	Quiz 22	10
Mon. Nov 25		Pages 175 - 188	Quiz 23	10
Wed. Nov 27		Study online			Study online
Mon. Dec 02		Pages 189 - 194	Quiz 24	10
Wed. Dec 04		Pages 195 - 201	Quiz 25	10
Mon. Dec 09
Wed. Dec 11	Exam 3			200
Mon. Dec 16	Final Exam			250	(Finals week)

			Points Possible:	1000

2013 Fall Final Exam Information for Dr. Bill's M/W 10:30 AM class
Final Exam Day	Start Time
Mon., Dec. 16, 2013	10:30 AM in Eureka 307G
Check your other Final Exams to make sure they don't conflict. If so, let me know and we will work it out.

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 Linguistics. "ASL Structure and Usage" is a really interesting topic! I've been teaching ASL and Deaf Studies-related topics for over 20 years and I am still passionate about it. This class is the one where many students finally "get" ASL grammar. (That "Ah ha!" moment.) When you learn about the building blocks of ASL all of a sudden the grammar starts making sense and you get a real feel for ASL and how it is used. I love giving examples and discussing this language, so feel free to ask lots of questions. - Dr. Bill

Instructor:
William Vicars, Ed.D. (Dr. Vicars / Bill) Contact: BillVicars@aol.com Office: Eureka 308
Office Hours: As posted by my office door (EUR308) or email me for an appointment.

Course Format:
This is a lecture / discussion course that meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 AM. It is conducted in sign language without voice.

Course description:
Examines origins and linguistic structure of American Sign Language (ASL). Cross-linguistic comparisons with spoken and signed languages of other countries will be made. Students will learn aspects of ASL phonology, morphology and syntax. Sociolinguistic aspects of ASL usage in regard to gender, ethnicity, geographical region and educational status will be discussed. Conducted entirely in American Sign Language. Prerequisite: EDS 154 or instructor permission. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 3.0.

Required textbook: Linguistics of American Sign Language: An Introduction, 5th Ed., by Clayton Valli, Ceil Lucas, and Kristin J. Mulrooney. Get THAT edition.

Websites:
The CSUS site: http://online.csus.edu
Dr. V's page: http://www.lifeprint.com/2013/ (Can link to this syllabus from there.)
Dr. V's Linguistics page: http://lifeprint.com/linguistics
Place to learn fingerspelling: http://asl.gs
Place to improve your ability to read fingerspelling: http://asl.ms
Place to improve your ability to recognize numbers: http://asl.bz

Examinations and assignments:
There are 1000 points possible in this class.

Assignments	Points
Study Quizzes	250 points
Exam 1	100 points
Exam 2	200 points
Exam 3	200 points
Final Exam	250 points
Total	1,000 Points

Study Quizzes (online)
Read your book and study the information at Lifeprint.com/linguistics (and attend class) then go to the SacCT site and take the quizzes. You may do so OPEN BOOK. (It is okay if you use your book for the online quizzes. However it is NOT okay to use your classmates' answers. Do your OWN work. Thanks.) The online quizzes are there to prepare you for the in-class exams.
Note: Lifeprint is full of many various resources, videos, and practice quizzes for the general public. While that is nice, you should keep your goal in mind: Focus on studying your linguistics textbook and any posted notes carefully so you can do well on the quizzes.

Exams
Exams may be cumulative. The in-class written exams may be short answer, multiple choice, or matching. The online quizzes are multiple choice.

Final Exam:
The final exam is cumulative. It is written. It may include short answer, multiple choice, or matching.

Grading:
Scale: 100-95%=A, 90 = A-, 87=B+, 84=B, 80=B-, 77=C+, 74=C, 70=C-, 67=D+, 64=D, 60=D-, 59=F.

No-Voicing Policy:
This is a no voice class. During class time (unless I give you specific 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 ask you to leave 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 funeral service or note from the director on the funeral home's stationary (including phone number), 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. INCLUDE THE PHONE NUMBER so I can have my Teacher Assistant call the doctor, mortician, or other administrator and verify. You are expected to attend if you want to get full 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 regarding your availability for testing. Even if you do have an excused absence, I reserve the right to either give you a different but equivalent test, to assign the percentage of your most recent equivalent test, or to use the score of a future test.

Do not ask to make up an online quiz. Take them EARLY so that if (when) an "emergency" happens you will have already turned in the quiz.

Ethics, Attendance, Disabilities, and Class Environment: You may be asked to leave class or have your grade lowered for checking your email or texting during class or accessing websites other than lifeprint.com or asl.ms during class. You may be asked to leave class or have points docked 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 in writing. 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 be levied to the maximum extent allowable by University guidelines. 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. [I love you all.]

Correspondence:
If you email me make sure to include in your subject line your first and last name, the name of this class, and the hour of your class. I get an outrageous amount of email due to the popularity of Lifeprint.com and thus a detailed subject line is your best bet for a prompt response. 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) because it is important to me that you get taken care of.

Pep talk:
You can do this. I have near infinite patience. I love teaching and explaining. 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.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
Hey, sometimes the internet breaks. If your computer goes down, then you need to go to one of the computer labs at CSUS. Your computer breaking down is NO EXCUSE for missing an online quiz. Take them early.