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SEYMOUR JOSEPH INSTITUTE
OF AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

Organization Directory Page

• Organization description

• Source of official student records

• Titles of all evaluated learning experiences

• Descriptions and credit recommendations

Titles of all evaluated learning experiences

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM

Second Language Approach
The Seymour Joseph Institute embraces the Second Language Approach of teaching American Sign Language (ASL). This approach is different than a total immersion approach (first language acquisition) in that it takes into consideration students who are adult learners, affording them the use of their native language only in the beginning, while they acquire valuable information about the target language (ASL). This approach benefits the student in learning about the intricacies of the different aspects of ASL as a second language, such as:
■ Linguistics - Description of the components and structure of language (phonology, morphology, syntax, grammar, lexicon, discourse analysis, concept of language universals and surface and deep structure of language);
■ Psycholinguistics - Understanding of the process of language acquisition in a first and second language (competence vs. performance, cognitive strategies of language learners);
■ Sociolinguistics - Perception of the total language environment: communication and the functions of language (cultural factors that influence language learning, social and interpersonal language learning variables, studies of language variations);
■ Educational Psychology - Understanding of self-esteem and motivation in students (sequential nature of language learning, elements of sound curriculum design).

American Sign Language 101
American Sign Language 102
American Sign Language 103
American Sign Language 104
American Sign Language Idioms, Literature and Poetry - ASL 104
Intermediate American Sign Language - ASL 102
Introduction to American Sign Language - ASL 101
Stylistic Variation in American Sign Language - ASL 103

American Sign Language Idioms, Literature and Poetry - ASL 104
(Formerly American Sign Languague 104) )
Location: Various locations throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
Length:  84 hours (14 weeks).
Dates: February 1995 - Present.
Objectives: Use the language proficiently and accurately on all levels normally pertinent to professional needs; understand and participate in any conversation with a high degree of proficiency and precision of vocabulary; respond appropriately even in unfamiliar situations; informally interpret meaning from and into the language; discuss in greater depth the cultural distinc­tions between the hearing and Deaf communities.
Instruction: This advanced course deals with idioms and their translations into ASL and prepares students to enter interpreter education programs. Work on the interpretation of literature and poetry (both written and voiced) is provided. The course continues the integration of language development, linguistics, and Deaf awareness and culture. Topics covered include: idioms; interpretation; ASL literature and poetry; Deaf culture and community. Students prepare a 10-15 minute video on the pros and cons of education for the Deaf, do interpretation work in ASL literature and poetry, and engage in a language competen­cy interview with the instructor. (American Sign Language 103 or permission of the Executive Director based on a screening process.)
Credit recommendation: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 5 semester hours in American Sign Language (3/96) (8/98) (7/03 revalidation) (8/08 revalidation).

Intermediate American Sign Language - ASL 102
(Formerly American Sign Language 102)
Location: Various locations throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
Length: 84 hours (14 weeks).
Dates: February 1995 - Present.
Objectives: Satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements; handle with improving facility most social situations including introductions and casual conversations about current events, work, family, and autobiographical information; and engage in most conversations on non-technical subjects; discuss more completely the cultural distinctions between the hearing and Deaf communities.
Instruction: This course emphasizes increased proficiency in the language's structure, vocabulary development, and guidance with misused signs with concentration on numbers, fingerspelling, and spatial reference. Advanced instruction in Deaf culture and exposure to regional and stylistic variations in ASL is provided. The course continues the integration of language development, linguistics, and Deaf awareness and culture. Topics covered include: expres­sive/receptive communication skills; conversational skills; vocabu­lary building; regional and stylistic variations of ASL signs; morphological/inflectional verbs; directionality/location verbs; non-reversibility/directional verbs; non-directional/citation verbs; noun-verb pairs; temporal aspect modulations/adjectival predicates; fingerspelling; numbers strategies; fingerspelling patterns; loan signs; spatial agreement; use of space; mapping skills: countries, states, and cities. Students participate in dialogue drills to develop skills which are significant to the visually-based language. In addition to a written examination, students present a ten-minute signed lecture on topic related to ASL, participate in a group project on a travel topic, and engage in a language competency interview with the instructor. (Prerequisite: American Sign Language 101 or permission of the Executive Director based on a screening process.)
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 5 semester hours in American Sign Language (3/96) (8/98) (7/03 revalidation) (8/08 revalidation).

Introduction to American Sign Language - ASL 101
(Formerly American Sign Language 101)
Location: Various locations throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
Length: 84 hours (14 weeks).
Dates: February 1995 - Present.
Objectives: Satisfy routine travel needs and minimum courtesy requirements; ask and answer questions on familiar topics; understand and respond to simple questions and statements; use visual receptive skills to recognize grammatical features of ASL; discuss cultural distinctions between the hearing and Deaf communities.
Instruction: This course provides a solid foundation of basic ASL conversational skills and the essentials and grammatical principles of the language. The course integrates language development, linguistics, and Deaf awareness and culture. Topics covered include: history of ASL; myths; Deaf culture; Deaf community; fingerspelling; name signs; sign continuum; for­mational parameters of signs; charting system; dictionary; non-manual movements; spatial patterning; time line; placement of nouns; reference for past and future signs; syntactical and grammatical organization of ASL; and expressive com­munication skills. Students participate in dialogue drills to develop skills which are significant to the visually-based language. Instructional movies are provided that prompt discussions about Deaf culture. In addition to a written examination, students present a five-minute signed story and engage in a language competency interview with the instructor.
Credit recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 5 semester hours in American Sign Language (3/96) (8/98) (7/03 revalidation) (8/08 revalidation).

Updated 8/18/08

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