Courses
About ASL Course Offerings
Our 1101-1103 courses meet for approximately four hours each week. Classes are capped at 22 students to ensure quality instruction and interaction with your classmates and instructor. As our classes are taught in the target language (ASL), we require that all students participate using ASL and adhere to our "voices off" policy.
ASL classes are "hands-on" and highly interactive, which provides students with a positive environment they can get to know one another and create a unique little community. Students are always involved in whole class, small group, and partner activities using ASL and visual-gestural communication. Additionally, our classes include written, signed, and online tests as well as assignments to reflect on developing intercultural competence.
Completion of ASL 1101-1103 satisfies the World Language Proficiency requirement for the College of Arts and Sciences.
For students with majors in the College of Arts and Sciences who began their careers as a regularly enrolled college student at Ohio State Autumn semester 2022 or later, course work or proficiency through the third language course (1103) or equivalent is required.
ASL Course Offerings
Prerequisites: None.
Credit Hours: 4
This is the first course in the three course series in American Sign Language (ASL) that fulfills the GE skills category for foreign language credit. Students will develop beginning level ASL communication skills -receptive (listening) and expressive (speaking) - with vocabulary and grammar in a cultural context. American Deaf culture and history will be introduced with an emphasis on making comparisons and connections to one’s own culture. Course instruction and activities are primarily in ASL. Courses in ASL may necessitate physical contact between students and/or instructor. This contact may include demonstrating culturally appropriate behaviors and/or remediating students’ sign production.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in ASL 1101.
Credit Hours: 4
This is the second course in the three course series in American Sign Language that fulfills the GE skills category for foreign language credit. Students will continue to develop ASL communication skills -receptive (listening) and expressive (speaking) - with vocabulary and grammar in a cultural context. American Deaf culture and history will be expanded upon with an emphasis on family dynamics and making comparisons and connections to one’s own culture. Course instruction and activities are primarily in ASL. Courses in ASL may necessitate physical contact between students and/or instructor. This contact may include demonstrating culturally appropriate behaviors and/or remediating students’ sign production.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in ASL 1102.
Credit hours: 4
This is the third course in the three course series in American Sign Language that fulfills the GE skills category for foreign language credit. Students will continue to develop ASL communication skills -receptive (listening) and expressive (speaking) - with vocabulary and grammar in a cultural context. American Deaf culture and history will be expanded upon with an emphasis on sports, education, cochlear implants, and the Deaf President Now movement. Course instruction and activities are primarily in ASL. Courses in ASL may necessitate physical contact between students and/or instructor. This contact may include demonstrating culturally appropriate behaviors and/or remediating students’ sign production.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in ASL 1103.
Students will develop conversational discourse and personal narrative skills in ASL. Students will continue the development of ASL communication skills both receptively (listening) and expressively (speaking), by expanding on ASL vocabulary and ASL grammar. These skills will allow students the ability to expand conversations in ASL beyond everyday topics. Course instruction and activities are in the target language of ASL.
This course will be taught each Autumn and Spring.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in ASL 2104.
This course is designed to expand conversational discourse skills in ASL. Students will further develop interpersonal and interpretive ASL language skills by expanding on ASL vocabulary and ASL grammar needed for robust ASL discourse. Students will expand their vocabulary, improve comprehension and fluency while utilizing a wide variety of grammar structures during ASL discourse. The development of these skills will allow students the ability to engage in more advanced topics with the Deaf community. Students can expect to develop their American Sign Language (ASL) skills by signing during class and practice sessions outside of class, completing video assignments on various topics, and leading activities during class. Intercultural competence skills will also be applied as students build their linguistic and cultural skills.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in ASL 2104.
This course is an introduction to American Sign Language Literature through exploration and analysis of storytelling and poetry of the American Deaf Community. Students will expand their expressive (speaking) and receptive (comprehension) skills by examining and deciphering ASL Literary works by native ASL users as well as by creating their own works of literature using ASL.
This course will be taught each Autumn and Spring.
Prerequisite: None, although some basic knowledge in American Sign Language will be of benefit to the student.
This course will survey literary and artistic works, specifically in America, about being deaf that are written or created by individuals who are American and deaf. Through the application of critical, literary, historical, and production theories, we will develop an understanding and appreciation of the complexities of experiencing, living and identifying with, and reflecting on, being deaf in America.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or above in ASL 2104.
Life Experiences of Deaf Children is a course taught in American Sign Language that delves into the multifaceted experiences of deaf* children, including language development, family dynamics, educational opportunities, communication strategies, and social-emotional development. Students will explore a variety of perspectives to learn about challenges and opportunities deaf children encounter from infancy to adolescence, and best practices for supporting deaf children in all areas of their development. Field trips will be required.
*Unless otherwise stated, the term “deaf” is used to refer to individuals who may or may not identify as culturally Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and hard of hearing.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in ASL 2104.
This course will survey how Deaf culture started in the earliest history of Deaf communities from ancient times to the present day. Major complexities of Deaf history revolved around educational, social, legal, and technological forces threatening the existence of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf identities, however, they also unleashed a powerful unified front. This is followed by resiliency in the face of social and systemic barriers, similar to experiences of other marginalized groups. Finally, by understanding Deafhood through the perspectives of language, culture, and community, we will examine meaningful approaches to fostering solidarity and fulfilling our civic responsibilities when engaging with Deaf communities Students can expect to develop their ASL skills by signing during class and in Zoom groups, leading group discussions, doing video assignments on relevant topics, and summarizing lectures. Intercultural competency will also be developed as students build their skills with language, culture, and solidarity partnership. Satisfies embedded literacy: Technology.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in ASL 2104.
In this course, we will explore multi-faceted and vibrant deaf communities through the lenses of life experiences and social locations with respect to how deaf community members experience familial and societal impacts within education, employment, healthcare, mental health, and the legal systems. Students can expect to engage in critical analyses of shared personal experiences, experiences of others, and published works by deaf and non-deaf individuals.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in ASL 3104.
This intermediate course fosters students' proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) discourse, encompassing effective communication, presentation skills, and sociolinguistic awareness. Students will expand their vocabulary, enhance fluency, and utilize various forms of ASL discourse for personal communication on diverse topics. The course emphasizes strategies for delivering impactful ASL presentations and provides insights into sociolinguistic patterns within the American Deaf community. Students will reflect on their personal growth, identify areas for improvement, and develop individualized plans for continued language and skill enhancement. By course completion, students will possess a strong foundation in ASL discourse, presentation skills, and sociolinguistic understanding to communicate effectively and navigate the Deaf community's linguistic and cultural nuances.
Prerequisite: Successful completion (grade of C- or better) of ASL 1103 or equivalent credit or departmental permission.
Students explore the Deaf World through hands-on service and real-world connections, with a central focus on citizenship, diversity, and justice. Students partner with agencies, schools, or organizations serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, practicing ASL and engaging directly with fluent users to understand how equitable access and inclusion shape community life. Through these experiences, students deepen their language skills, cultural understanding, and awareness of social and systemic issues, while reflecting on their role as responsible, informed citizens.
The course will be offered each Spring.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in two, 3000-level or above ASL courses or department permission.
This course examines the linguistic aspects of American Sign Language (ASL), including phonology, morphology, pragmatics, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistic variations in ASL. Students will demonstrate their understanding through thoughtful connections, comparative analyses, and engaging in an in-depth exploration of ASL linguistics. By completion, students will be able to describe and effectively apply aspects of ASL's linguistic structure and explore concepts of sociolinguistic diversity. Satisfies embedded literacy: Data Analysis.
This course is offered 100% synchronous online.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or above in one, 3000-level or above ASL course.
This course explores ways that contemporary social issues impact access to American Sign Language and Deaf lived experiences. By examining language access and intercultural competence, students will consider how thoughtful critique and the exploration of versatile perspectives can lead to deeper understanding and civic engagement to achieve common goals. Satisfies embedded literacy: Advanced Writing.
This course is offered 100% synchronous online.
Prerequisites: Complete ASL 1101,1102,1103 and 2104. Students must also take Italian on the Ground- IT 1198.71 (1 hour) the Spring semester ahead of their program. These prerequisites ensure that students have the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful experience in Italy.
Engage in a Deaf-World that expands beyond America. This 3-week immersion program (typically beginning in mid-June) provides ASL users a foundation for transnational engagement that invites a fresh perspective on ASL as a visual and spatial language. In addition to acquiring knowledge of basic grammar and fundamental vocabulary of Italian Sign Language (LIS) for everyday topics, students will learn about Italian Deaf culture and history. Students will also take basic Italian to improve navigation of life in the city of Siena.
The Siena, Italy Study Abroad for Deaf & Signers can replace two minor electives, ASL 3104 and ASL 3350.
Application deadline through OSU Global Education: February 1st
For more information, see “Study Abroad for Deaf and Signers” on the Office of International Affairs website
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Classes are capped at 24 students to ensure quality interaction with your classmates and your instructor, and are taught primarily in the target language and require that all students adhere to the "voices off" policy. Our classes provide a safe and positive learning environment for our students. Your attendance and participation in every class meeting is expected and highly encouraged for your success.
Several sections of ASL 1101-1103 are offered during autumn and spring semesters. A limited number of courses may be offered in summer semesters but is not guaranteed. Check Buckeye Link Master Schedule or contact us in advance.
YES! As of Autumn 2020 the ASL Program offers a minor in American Sign Language Studies. Our ASL 1101-1103 series fulfills the university's general education (GE) foreign language requirement as well as the pre-requisites into the minor.
You are encouraged to add your name to the waitlist through Buckeye Link for all sections for which you are available. Contact the instructor prior to the start of the semester and show up to the first class to indicate your interest. If there is enough space in the classroom the instructor may allow you to stay for class so that if you are enrolled through the waitlist, you will be on track. Be prepared that the instructor may not allow you to stay in class if there are not enough seats or space to allow for visual access. None of this guarantees that you will get into the class. The waitlist is operated automatically by the Registrar.Otherwise, continue to monitor your status on the waitlist and be prepared to attend and participate in class if you are enrolled.
No. Our classes are capped at 24 students to ensure quality interaction with your classmates and your instructor. Waitlists are run automatically by the OSU Registrar through the first Friday of every semester. Instructors can only sign in a student after that IF there is a seat available. This is at the instructor's discretion and on a first-come, first-served policy.
It all depends on the circumstances for any given semester, such as if and how many seats become available and your position on the waitlist. The ASL Program has no control over the waitlist process.
Students can sign up for a class waitlist via Buckeye Link and SIS. As spaces open, students are moved up the waitlist and ideally into the class in the order they signed up.
- If the section you are interested in is full, you will be given the option to waitlist for that section.
- You are added into a course from the waitlist on a "first-on, first-off" basis as space becomes available that fits your schedule.
- You should attend the first week of classes if your waitlist number is low. This is especially important for ASL 1101 class since instruction starts on the first day of class.
- The waitlist is run automatically by the Registrar through the first Friday of the semester. After the first Friday, the waitlist is deleted and no one will be added to a course from the waitlist.
- It is your responsibility to know whether or not you have been put into a course and to monitor your waitlist on a regular basis. You will be notified by email if you are added to a course from the waitlist, so be sure to frequently check your email and your schedule from the time you register through the first Friday of the semester.
- After the first Friday of the semester, instructors may sign in a student IF there is a seat available. This is at the instructor's discretion and on a first-come, first-served policy.
This is not recommended, but it can be done. First, you will need to know if an ASL class(es) at another institution has already been approved for automatic transfer credit to Ohio State. See: Transfer Information. If it does, you will have to complete the ASL class(es) with a passing grade and submit your transcript to the OSU Registrar before you can register for the subsequent OSU ASL class. This means that you will be registering after the OSU registration period has opened and may have decreased chances of being able to enroll in a class and may be delayed one semester.
Note: Course Enrollment Permission Forms will not be signed for students transferring ASL credit from Columbus State or any other college/university.
If an ASL class(es) at another institution does not transfer automatically to Ohio State, you will then need to submit those course materials for evaluation. This evaluation process may take up to three weeks and does not guarantee equivalent transfer credit approval. See the transfer credit page for more information.
If your projected graduation date is your priority, it may be in your best interest to consider other language options. We would love to have you in our series, but we want you to reach your goals too!