Syllabus

Syllabus: American Sign Language 1
CSUS College of Continuing Education Distance Education Course

Go here and study:	Put in the CD, watch the video test, & write your answers:	Do these numbers:	Go here to Submit	DATE DUE
Lesson 01	Unit 1 CD	Numbers 1-48	Quiz 1	Wed., 9/23/09
Lesson 02	Unit 1 CD	Numbers 49-113	Quiz 2	Sat., 9/26/09
Lesson 03	Unit 1 CD	Numbers 114--172	Quiz 3	Wed., 9/30/09
Lesson 04	Unit 1 CD	Numbers 173-232	Quiz 4	Sat., 10/3/09
Lesson 05	Unit 1 CD	Numbers 233-321	Quiz 5	Wed., 10/709
Lesson 06	Unit 2 CD	Numbers 1-58	Quiz 6	Sat., 10/10/09
Lesson 07	Unit 2 CD	Numbers 59-100	Quiz 7	Wed., 10/14/09
Lesson 08	Unit 2 CD	Numbers 101-144	Quiz 8	Sat., 10/17/09
Lesson 09	Unit 2 CD	Numbers 145-198	Quiz 9	Wed., 10/21/09
Lesson 10	Unit 2 CD	Numbers 199--250	Quiz 10	Sat., 10/24/09
Lesson 11	Unit 3 CD	Numbers 1-51	Quiz 11	Wed., 10/28/09
Lesson 12	Unit 3 CD	Numbers 51-102	Quiz 12	Sat., 10/31/09
Lesson 13	Unit 3 CD	Numbers 103-149	Quiz 13	Wed., 11/4/09
Lesson 14	Unit 3 CD	Numbers 150-193	Quiz 14	Sat., 11/7/09
Lesson 15	Unit 3 CD	Numbers 194-250	Quiz 15	Wed., 11/11/09
		Research Paper		November 14
		Receptive Final		November 14
		Expressive Final		November 14

Units: 3.0 Academic Credits Registration: (916) 278-6984

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.
See: www.Lifeprint.com/cce/ to access 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 Information:
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:
Learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary and grammar. Upon completion, participants will be able to exchange basic information about themselves and their families such as their names, where they live, and their interests. Participants are exposed to elements of the deaf culture and community. Conducted online. Special note: This course will require 45 to 60 online contact-hours.

Required Materials and fees:
Course CD Pack: The materials for this course consist of the ASL Unit 1 through Unit 3 video-test series on CD.
Cost: $50.00 Shipping & handling $5.95. Total amount: $55.95 (Tax already included).
Web address to order: http://www.lifeprint.com/bookstore/saleunit1-unit5cds.htm
Or you may purchase the course pack at the orientation.

Website:
The course makes extensive use of lessons 1-15 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.

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 and Grading:

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 CDs. The CDs are in your course pack. The video on each CD has no sound and no titles or credits. The quizzes show the signing of various vocabulary words and sentences. First you'll see the sign for the question number and then the word or sentence. The first part of each quiz is individual 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).
The Unit 1-CD corresponds to lessons 1-5
The Unit 2 video-CD corresponds to lessons 6-10
The Unit 3 video-CD corresponds to lessons 11-15
After studying a lesson at the website, view the corresponding CD.
If you go to http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/lessons/lesson1.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.

When you watch the CD for unit 1, you will notice that I start off by signing #1 and then I sign the word "AGAIN." This sign was covered in lesson 1 on the website.

The signer repeats himself a few times for each concept on the early quizzes.

On the CD, next you will see the signer sign: "#2. DEAF."
Then he signs #3. HEARING."
Then #4. WHAT (huh?)
and # 5. LEARN
and so forth all the way to number 321.

Quiz 1 only includes numbers 1-48.
The first CD covers the first five lessons. To see which questions correspond to which lesson, see the schedule.

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 sent 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 just paste them into an email and send them to me at BillVicars@aol.com

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 quizzes.

You should go through the lessons sequentially starting with lesson one. Go to the website www.lifeprint.com and enter the main campus. Find the "Lessons" link and click on it. Then open up lesson 1. Read through lesson one 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 quiz on the CD. To help you do that I've created "answer sheets" with the numbers already typed up for you. At the bottom of the quiz page you will see a numbered list of answer blanks for you to copy and paste into your word processor. For example, at the website and the end of lesson one you can click on a button to go to the quiz 1 page. On the quiz #1 page if you scroll down you will see:

Copy and paste those numbers into your word processor program and save it as "lesson1yourfirstandlastname." It is a good idea to use these answer sheets because they sometimes have clues or "giveaway" answers.

Then put in the CD. Look around on the page that opens up. You should see a link to the video. Click on it.

You should see a videofile of me. Not pretty--but functional. The file might jump from sign to sign as I press stop and record on my video camera in-between each question. In the first five or so quizzes I show the sign about 3 times, but in later quizzes I just show the signs once. Feel free to pause and rewind. If you can't see the video or it won't play in your system...you need to go to Microsoft.com and download the latest "Media Player" and restart your computer.

You can adjust the size of the file via your media player's configuration settings. You can also pause the file by pressing pause. In the video file I show a number and then show a sign or a sentence. You type the answer onto your answer sheet. Make sure to save your answers periodically so as to avoid losing your work in the event of a crash or power outage.

Only do the number of questions that correspond to that lesson. You can see a list in the schedule below of which numbers go with which lessons. For example the Unit 1 Disk has 321 questions numbered 1 to 321. You only do the first 48 questions for lesson one. Then for lesson 2 you do questions 49 through 113. Save your document in your word processor. Make sure you keep a backup copy of your quizzes until the end of the semester.

Receptive Final:
This test is taken in person with me on the date listed in the schedule. 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. 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:
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.

Instead of taking the Expressive Final, distance education students need to create an expressive video:
Pick one sentence from each of lessons 1 through 15. You should end up with 15 sentences.

Copy the sentences to a new document and number them 1-15. Then use a camcorder 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 maybe 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.

Go Here to Study:	Quiz and Assignments	Due By:	Points
Lesson 01	Quiz 1	Wed., 9/23/09	20
Lesson 02	Quiz 2	Sat., 9/26/09	20
Lesson 03	Quiz 3	Wed., 9/30/09	20
Lesson 04	Quiz 4	Sat., 10/3/09	20
Lesson 05	Quiz 5	Wed., 10/709	20
Lesson 06	Quiz 6	Sat., 10/10/09	20
Lesson 07	Quiz 7	Wed., 10/14/09	20
Lesson 08	Quiz 8	Sat., 10/17/09	20
Lesson 09	Quiz 9	Wed., 10/21/09	20
Lesson 10	Quiz 10	Sat., 10/24/09	20
Lesson 11	Quiz 11	Wed., 10/28/09	20
Lesson 12	Quiz 12	Sat., 10/31/09	20
Lesson 13	Quiz 13	Wed., 11/4/09	20
Lesson 14	Quiz 14	Sat., 11/7/09	20
Lesson 15	Quiz 15	Wed., 11/11/09	20
	Research Paper	November 14	100
	Expressive Final	November 14	300
	Receptive Final	November 14	300
		TOTAL	1000

Assignments	Points
Research Paper	100
15 Quizzes	300
Expressive Final Exam	300
Receptive Final Exam	300
Total:	1000