World Languages - American Sign Language (ASL)
12 courses · Solano Community College · 2025-2026 Catalog
Classes: Spring 2026
ASL 001 American Sign Language 1
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the culture and language of the Deaf in this country. This course includes the acquisition of Fingerspelling skills and basic functional vocabulary of ASL. In addition to fluency in these two separate skills, the student will acquire basic knowledge of ASL syntax and nonverbal aspects of ASL, a history of the Deaf in the country and Deaf education, variations in Manual Communication, and the Culture of the Deaf. There will be both written and signed examinations, a research project, homework assignments, and individual examinations to demonstrate competency in both expressive and receptive ASL. Students will be expected to acquire a vocabulary of approximately 500 words (signs) and be proficient in Fingerspelling. We will explore accompanying issues of power as they relate to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language.
ASL 002 American Sign Language 2
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- ASL 001 (American Sign Language 1)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Emphasis on vocabulary expansion, introduction to ASL idiomatic expressions, and information regarding the ethics and process of becoming a sign language interpreter. Assessment of competency is accomplished through written and communicative examinations. Some interaction with the Deaf population is required. Students will use appropriate sign language and knowledge in various social contexts and examines the importance of the history and culture of the Deaf community. We will explore accompanying issues of power as they relate to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language. Students with previous ASL experience meet with ASL faculty for assessment and proper placement
ASL 003 American Sign Language 3
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- ASL 002 (American Sign Language 2)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course offers an in-depth exploration of American Sign Language (ASL), focusing on its grammatical structure and the influence of societal and cultural dynamics in America on its evolution. Emphasizing immersive learning, it moves beyond rote vocabulary memorization to develop students' proficiency in both receptive and expressive communication, encouraging the formation of individual signing styles. Alongside linguistic skills, the course provides a critical look at the Deaf community's culture and history, examining issues of power related to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language. This holistic approach aims to enrich students' understanding of ASL within its vibrant cultural and historical context, promoting a comprehensive appreciation of the Deaf community's rich heritage and its place in the broader American tapestry. Students with previous ASL experience meet with ASL faculty for assessment and proper placement.
ASL 004 American Sign Language 4
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- ASL 003 (American Sign Language 3)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This advanced ASL course expands students' vocabulary, classifier usage, and conversational abilities through the study of complex grammar and storytelling techniques. It immerses students in notable Deaf cultural stories and the life narratives of distinguished Deaf individuals, refining storytelling skills while exploring Deaf heritage and history. The course examines intersections of power, race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language within Deaf culture. It highlights the cultural diversity of the Deaf World, the importance of Deaf storytelling, critical linguistic elements integral to cultural expression, and social services/programs for the Deaf community. By analyzing the intersectional dynamics that shape the Deaf experience, the course provides a rich understanding of Deaf culture, history, and the diversity therein. Students with previous ASL experience meet with ASL faculty for assessment and proper placement Course requires significant time outside of class.
ASL 005 American Deaf Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Exploration of American Deaf Culture with historical and cultural overview of the American Deaf community and its language, American Sign Language (ASL). Fundamental sociological and anthropological theories will be discussed. Students will be given an opportunity to study and understand the following: minority group dynamics, attitudes and behavioral characteristics of the oppressed and oppressors, and the liberation movements. Analysis of the relationship of ASL to the history of the American Deaf community will be conducted. We will explore accompanying issues of power as they relate to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language.
ASL 006 Linguistics of American Sign Language
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- ASL 002 (American Sign Language 2)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Apply knowledge of linguistics (e.g., phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics) to signed languages, especially ASL. Students will learn about aspects of the language that are specific to signing, such as using three-dimensional space as grammatical tools. Students will compare ASL to other signed languages to further explore how these linguistic aspects differ between signed languages. We will explore accompanying issues of power as they relate to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language.
ASL 052 Fingerspelling, Classifiers, and Numbers
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- ASL 002 (American Sign Language 2) may enroll concurrently .
- Transfers to
- CSU
Solidifies fingerspelling, numbers, and classifiers to the point where they can reliably be leveraged in an expressive and receptive manner. The focus of the course is on recognition and use of fingerspelling, numbers, and classifiers in different contexts. We will explore accompanying issues of power as they relate to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language.
ASL 053 Introduction to American Sign Language Interpreting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- ASL 002 (American Sign Language 2)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to professional conduct, variety of interpreter work settings, and interactions with the populations served. We will explore accompanying issues of power as they relate to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language.
ASL 054 ASL Interpreting Seminar
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture weekly, 36 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- ASL 053 (Introduction to American Sign Language Interpreting)
- Corequisite
- ASL 057 (ASL Interpreting Field Work)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Weekly seminars will explore how ASL interpreters learn discourse mapping, a systematic approach for analyzing content to produce successful, effective interpretations. Through a co-requisite of ASL 057 students will work in a real world environment to practice the techniques discussed in class.
ASL 055 Interpreting 1: Consecutive Interpreting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
Building and improving basic receptive and expressive sign language interpretation skills emphasizing the development of consecutive ASL to English and English to ASL. We will explore accompanying issues of power as they relate to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language.
ASL 056 Interpreting 2: Simultaneous Interpreting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Prerequisite
- ASL 053 (Introduction to American Sign Language Interpreting)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced simultaneous interpreting skills that can be applied in both ASL to English and English to ASL interpretation. Topics include: research and analysis of the simultaneous interpreting process, interpreting models and how to apply them in various work environments, and the basis of ethical decision making within the field of sign language interpreting. We will explore accompanying issues of power as they relate to race, ethnicity, class, gender, and language.
ASL 057 ASL Interpreting Field Work
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab weekly, 54 contact hours total
- Corequisite
- ASL 054 (ASL Interpreting Seminar)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Experience within the field working with local Deaf individuals as well as qualified ASL interpreters. This course provides students with an in depth look at the lives of individuals in our Deaf community and allows students to observe a variety of real world interpreting experiences. In this course, students will work with a Deaf and interpreting mentor focusing on improving their expressive and receptive ASL fluency, building their ASL interpretation skills, and learning the role and function of a professional ASL interpreter.