St. Petersburg College Sign Language Interpretation Program Fingerspelling ASL 1430
Instructor: Frona Elkes Office: LA 157 Phone numbers: 791-5920 Email address: [email protected]
Course Description: This course focuses on problem areas in receptive and expressive fingerspelling with extensive practical experience provided to increase fluency to an advanced level.
Course Books, Video and Materials: Fingerspelling in American Sign Language,Cartwright & Bahleda Numbering in American Sign Language,Cartwright & Bahleda
Suggested Reading: Battison: Lexical Borrowing in American Sign Language Groode: Fingerspelling Video
Course Objective: 1. EXPRESSIVE- The student will be able to articulate all the letters, numbers, and loan signs of the American manual alphabet clearly and accurately in regard to letter formation, palm orientation and hand position. The student will be able to fingerspell words, numbers, and loan signs clearly and Accurately in regard to articulation, rate of transition from letter to letter, word Configuration and distinction between words. II. RECEPTIVE- The student will be able to recognize words, numbers, and loan signs fingerspelled at various rates within a range considered to be normal by the instructor. The student will be able to recognize words or word groups by their configuration, context, or visible letters in initial, middle and/or final position. The student will be able to recognize the fingerspelled words or word groups while eye gaze is on the signer’s face.
The course will be conducted in lecture format but with emphasis on small group practice and drill. It will address topics and practical methods useful in the development of expressive and receptive fingerspelling skills. Class drills and practices will play a large part in skill development, thus class attendance and participation is considered a part of the course requirements and determines the student’s final grade.
Grading system: Grades will be determined by a student’s successful completion of six tests, final receptive and expressive exams.
Grading Scales:
A= 100-90 B= 89- 80 C= 79-70 D= 69-60 F= 59-below
NOTES: NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES WILL GIVEN!
Attendance Policy: The attendance policy of SPC is: “Regular class attendance is expected of all students. When illness or other emergencies cause a student to be absent for less than a week, s/he should notify the appropriate instructors. In case of extended absences of a week or more, the student should notify, or have someone notify, the office of the Assistant Provost. Absences without notifying the instructor and exceeding two (2) will be deemed excessive and may result in the student being dropped from the course. . Please refer to the College Student/Handbook for more detail about the Attendance Policy. Each student is responsible for lectures or labs missed due to absences. It is suggested each student secure notes from a student who attended the class.
Cancelled Classes : On accession, classes may be cancelled due to inclement weather, instructor illness or for some other reason. The assigned work for that class meeting will carry forward to the next regularly schedule class meeting.
Emergency Evacuation: Whenever the emergency alarm sounds ( a continuous, undulating blast of the fire alarm), all persons are to leave the building immediately by the Nearest Exit as posted on the Fire Exit sign in the room. Proceed 100 feet away from the building, where possible. At the sound of the All Clear ( three short blasts), all persons may return to the building.
In the event of a hurricane, closing information is available from the main College Number: 341-3600. Other information may be available from the Sign Language Interpretation Program office: 791-2487.
Federal and State law requires a person designated as a “sexual predator or offender” to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE this is required to notify the local law enforcement agency where the registrant resides, attends or is employed by an institution of higher learning. Information regarding sexual predators of offenders attending or employed by an institution of higher learning may be obtained from the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for the particular campus, by calling the FDLE hotline (1-888-FL-PREDATOR) or ( 1-888-357-7332), or by visiting the FDLE website at www.fdle.state.fl.us/sexual_predators. If there are questions of concerns regarding personal safety, please contact the provost, Associate Provost, Campus security Officer of Site Administrator on your campus.
Conduct: Student are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner and will face appropriate consequences for misconduct; i.e., STEALING or attempting to steal materials from the Sign Language Lab/Studio; CHEATING on tests or reports; PLAGIARIZING materials; etc. Punishment will result in disciplinary action affecting grades and possible suspension or dismissal from the college. See the College Catalog for details.
WARNING… If any student is caught “cheating” (talking or whispering) during any exam, it is an automatic zero on the test, and you may receive an “F” in the course. If any student fails to complete the course for any reason after having done 50% of the work and/or some tests, she/he will receive an “I” (Incomplete).
Conduct in the classroom: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner for a positive and supportive educational environment.
NO FOOD OR DRINKS are allowed in the classroom. No gum chewing. Cellular phones, pagers, and beepers must be TURNED OFF during class periods. Stealing or attempting to steal materials from the Sign Language Program. Cheating on tests or reports. Plagiarizing materials. The use of indecent or abusive language. Disruptive or disorderly conduct including acts of verbal or written abuse, threats, harassment, or other intimidating behaviors. If a student must enter the classroom after class has begun, please do so quietly. If a student has a disagreement with an instructor on a particular issue, grade or assignment, please see the instructor after class.
Special Accommodations: Students experiencing any difficulty with the course should consult the instructor during office hours or by appointment. If you wish to receive special accommodations as a student with a documented disability, please make an appointment with the Learning Specialist on campus. If you have a documented hearing loss, please contact Staci Wagner, Program Specialist in the Program of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, SS 101, 791-2628. If you will need assistance during an emergency evacuation, please contact your campus Learning Specialist immediately about arrangements for your safety. ( Office of Services for Students with Disabilities: 791-2628)
Course Withdrawal: The last date to drop a course and receive a refund or change to Audit: August 26. More explanation about the college’s withdrawal policy and procedures are in the student handbook. Students who simply discontinue attending class without officially withdrawing from the course will receive a grade based upon the total points they have accumulated, usually resulting a grade of F. The last day to withdraw with a grade of “W”: October 27.
Assignments: 1. Students will be given specific assignments to work on their fingerspelling projects on a weekly basis. 2. Students will be assigned to attend deaf related community activities or events. It is recommended that you attend a variety of events, for example, church, and Silent dinner at the local Malls as well as other community events. Watch for announcements or flyers throughout the semester. This interaction is designed to increase your fingerspelling skills, both receptively and expressively. There will be no logs needed however I expect students to discuss their own experiences during classtime and feedback will be given to increase their knowledge. 3. NO VOICING is permitted during fingerspelling class for drills and practices. Signing and fingerspelling will be used at all time.
Have a good semester! St. Petersburg College Sign Language Interpretation Program ASL1430 Fingerspelling Schedule of Class Activities
August 23 Course requirements/Objectives Tips on Fingerspelling Identify shapes Lab/Studio
August 30 Introduction
September 6 Test -Introduction Family
September 13 Telephone number, Address, Zip Code
September 20 Test Time and Age
September 27 Decades and Centuries October 4 Test Money and Percents
October 11 The 50 States
October 18 Test Pronoun, Height and Measurement
October 25 College Closed
November 1 Test Loan Signs
November 8 Continue…Loan Signs
November 15 Test / Project
November 22 Review Final / Project
November 29 Final Performance
December 6 Final Receptive