Course Description
Explore genres in American Sign Language (ASL) by deaf artists. Examine lives and experiences of the deaf to portray and reaffirm cultural identities. Explore literature formation and preservation without written systems. Utilize ASL to appreciate deaf culture expressed through creativity. Course is conducted completely in ASL with no interpreters.
Athena Title
ASL Literature
Prerequisite
AMSL 2010 or AMSL 2010E or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:
Identify the importance of ASL grammatical features in all genres of literature
- Analyze and interpret the historical background and values of content in all genres
- Categorize the appropriate signing registers for specific audiences
- Compare and contrast ASL and other literature works
- Develop and produce ASL literature works
Topical Outline
- Defining Sign Language Literature
- Preservation of ASL Culture and Literature
- ASL Literature Genres
• Folktales
• ASL Poetry/Songs
• ABC Stories
• Number Stories
• Classifier Stories
• Handshape Rhymes
• Visual Vernacular
• Personification
• Deaf Humor
- Narrative Techniques
• Visual Images
• Beginnings and Endings
• Plots
• Metaphors
• Repetitions
• Signing Space
• Symmetry and Balance
• Nonmanual Features
• Signing and Performance Styles
- Sign Language Literature versus Spoken Language Literature
