American Sign Language Courses

This noncredit course is coenrolled with credit AMSL 101. All coenrolled language classes include regular homework, assessments, pass/fail grades, and a lab component. (T)

This course introduces students to the rich tradition of storytelling in American Sign Language (ASL). Through hands-on practice and guided instruction, students explore how stories are constructed and performed using visual language features such as facial expressions, body movement, role shifting, classifiers, and spatial organization. Students will analyze and practice a variety of ASL storytelling genres, including personal narratives, cultural stories, and short folk tales. Emphasis is placed on visual clarity, expressive signing, and audience engagement rather than spoken or written English translation. Cultural norms and storytelling conventions within the Deaf community are also introduced. This course is appropriate for students with basic ASL skills who wish to improve fluency, confidence, and expressive range in ASL through creative and communicative storytelling. It is recommended that students have some prior experience with the language before enrolling. There is no required textbook for this course. 

In this mixed-level continuing education course, students will learn and practice key signs and grammar structures needed for basic conversations. It is recommended that students have some prior experience with American Sign Language before enrolling.