New Minor in American Sign Language

Why study American Sign Language?

• World Language requirement: Courses in American Sign Language satisfy the University’s World Languages requirement.
• Career objectives: Competency in ASL also acts as a natural complement for students interested in education, human services, as well as a variety of therapeutic and other professional careers, including the arts.
• Cultural enrichment: The Deaf community in the United States is a cultural minority with a rich history and a vibrant language arts tradition, including poetry and prose.
• Linguistic curiosity: Sign languages and spoken languages have many similarities and differences. Studying sign language helps you appreciate the diversity of human language.

Program objectives
The minor in American Sign Language is designed to give students:

• Advanced language knowledge of American Sign Language
• Competence in the linguistic structure of American Sign Language and
• Understanding of the status of American Sign Language as the language of the Deaf cultural minority in the United States

Students will also work with faculty members to develop advanced language skills.

Additional opportunities
Students can also take advantage of extracurricular enrichment through the American Sign Language Club. Students may also participate in local research and language documentation projects with the Sign Language & Multi-Modal Communication Lab and www.spreadthesign.com.