Course Syllabus

Danielle Goyette

Email: danielle.s.goyette@ou.edu 

EDSP 1115: American Sign Language

Fall 2021

Educational Psychology

Office Hours:  Zoom meeting by appointment only (if you need an interpreter to join our appointment, you must contact AmberDaun@ou.edu, make sure you have a date and time available for Zoom meeting)

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Course Details

Course Materials

-Signing Naturally Student Interactive Workbook – Units 1-6 by Cheri Smith/Ella Mae Lentz/Ken Mikos (NEW only!)

- GoReact account ($29.99): register your code ONLY on Canvas

 

Grades

Breakdown

Course activities and grades listed for each activity

Activity	Weight	Descriptions	Points
Attendance		Attendance will not be part of our grading policy this semester but when learning a new language, attendance is crucial to your learning process and your overall grade in this class.	0
Online Activities	10%	You will be assigned to read a specific article, blog post, watch a video, or a movie clip every week. The purpose of each activity is designed to expose you to Deaf culture here in the United States of America (and the world). Discussions in class will be limited due to teaching vocabulary, but you are welcome to start a discussion thread in our class’ Canvas about an issue or fun fact you learned	150
Reflection papers	10%	Read two or more articles and write your response or reaction to the articles related to the topic provided. (I will provide at least one article/blog post and you will be responsible to find more articles/blogs related to the topic). Explain and defend your personal reaction to the topic provided. APA required!	100
Workbook Assignments	10%	You will be assigned specific assignments from your Signing Naturally workbook throughout the semester.	1000
Special Project	10%	More information will be shared later this semester.	100
Expressive Exams	20%	You will be provided with expressive exams to take home and to review, you can practice independently or with your classmates. Review the correct ASL signs and ASL structure on how to sign the provided statements or words. You will be required to sign on GoReact without any distractions (people or pets in the background) during your videos. The video cannot have any long pauses to interfere with the natural flow of your signing or the points will be deducted. **(please review video recording guidelines as well).** You also must sign the question number then proceed with your answers.	200
Receptive Exams	20%	The ability to understand ASL will be tested by receptive exams. The instructor will sign specific ASL sentences which you will be required to write down in English. The ASL structure will not be required but correct grammar rules will be applied when you write down what you understand from the instructor’s ASL statements.	200
ASL Stories	10%	You will be required to view and reproduce the ASL story from Signing Naturally. You must reproduce the story in the exact order of events, using the signs learned from the videos, and imitate the expressions used in the videos. Also, the only videos I will allow you to reproduce your stories are from Signing Naturally, the videos from YouTube or other media sites are not be allowed. The signers must be from Dawnsign.com (the original content and storytellers ONLY). Any other versions will be an automatic ZERO. All ASL stories will be due a day before your exam so be prepared and record yourself on GoReact (be sure to practice before you start to record!). You will not be allowed to edit your video and will be required to do it in the real-time recording. **(please review video recording guidelines as well).**	75
Final Exam	10%	Comprehensive Exam of Signing Naturally Units 1-5  will be provided online complete with a review of all the online activities we did this semester.	100
		Total	1925

Scale

Final Grade: 10% grading scale 
A         90-100%       
B         80-89%        
C         70-79%         
D         60-69%          
F             0-59%        

 

Course Main Components

ASL Stories

You will be required to view and reproduce the story in the exact order of events, using the signs learned from the videos, and imitate the expressions used in the videos. Also, the only videos I will allow you to reproduce your stories are from Signing Naturally, the videos from YouTube or other media sites will not be allowed. The signers must be from Dawnsign.com (the original content and storytellers ONLY). Any other versions will be an automatic ZERO. All ASL stories will be due a day before your exam so be prepared and record yourself on GoReact (be sure to practice before you start to record!). You will not be allowed to edit your video and will be required to do it in a real-time recording. **(please review video recording guidelines as well).**

ASL Story #1: Timber!

ASL Story #2: The Gum Story

ASL Story #3: The Gallaudet and Clerc Story

ASL Story #4: Your Childhood Story

Reflection papers

Reflection papers

Read two or more articles and write your response or reaction to the articles related to the topic provided. (I will provide at least one article/blog post and you will be responsible to find more articles/blogs related to the topic). Explain and defend your personal reaction to the topic provided. APA required!  

Each reflection paper must have at least 2 to 3 pages double-spaced typed in Size 12 Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. Any alternatives (different font, size, margins, and the number of pages) will be deducted.

You also must include your name, class title, instructor’s name, date, assignment name. DO NOT DOUBLE-SPACE.

Topics

First topic: Community inclusion by using sign language (Martha's Vineyard)

Second topic: Cultural and medical views of deafness

Third topic: Risk of Language Deprivation 

Fourth topic: The definitions of audism and deaf disempowerment 

Online Activities

You will be assigned to read a specific article, blog post, watch a video, or a movie clip every week. The purpose of each activity is designed to expose you to Deaf culture here in the United States of America (and the world). Discussions in class will be limited due to teaching vocabulary, but you are welcome to start a discussion thread in our class’ Canvas about an issue or fun fact you learned.

All online activities will be due before your class begins, be sure to pay attention to the due dates and time. No late assignments will be accepted unless discussed with the instructor (within 24 hours of the due date). Please email me if there are any broken links on the worksheet, I will not accept any late assignments if you report any broken links on the day it is due

Exams
TWO PARTS: Expressive and Receptive

Expressive Exams
You will be provided with expressive exam questions to take home and to review, with practice or with your classmates review the correct ASL signs and structure on how to sign the provided statements or words. You will be required to sign on GoReact without any distractions (people or pets in the background) during your videos. The video cannot have any long pauses to interfere with the natural flow of your signing or the points will be deducted. **(please review video recording guidelines as well).** You also must sign the question number then proceed with your answers.

Receptive Exams
The ability to understand ASL will be tested by receptive exams. The instructor will sign specific ASL sentences which you will be required to write down in English. The ASL structure will not be required but correct grammar rules will be applied when you write down what you understand from the instructor’s ASL statements.

 

Video Recording Guidelines:

• Lighting must be bright
• A blank or less distracting background is REQUIRED
• Your outfit must be appropriate
• Standing up is highly RECOMMENDED for the space and natural flow of your signing
• Make sure your torso is clearly visible in the video frame, if I can see your feet, you’re too far away from the camera. If I can’t see your torso, you’re too close to the camera.
• If you make a mistake, don’t stop! Sign SORRY, AGAIN then keep going.

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Course Policies

Communication

Contact me by email or through Canvas, please give me 24-48 hours to respond. Follow up with me if there are no replies. 

Late Policy

I generally do not accept late work but due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the flexibility of the semester that is needed, I will accept late work within 24 hours of the assigned due date.

Attendance Policy

A temporary university policy has been established to protect the OU community by ensuring that students who are ill or required to isolate feel encouraged to remain at home. Missing a class session or other class activity due to illness or isolation will not result in a penalty for the absence, and the student will not be asked to provide formal documentation from a healthcare provider to excuse the absence. This policy is based on all students and faculty adhering to the principles of integrity, honesty, and concern for others.

Students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, headache, chills, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea or who have been in close contact with others who have symptoms should:

• Remain at home to protect others
• Ensure that any needed screening has been conducted (COVID-19 Screening and Reporting Tool) and any needed treatment obtained
• Contact the instructor prior to absence or inability to participate, if possible, and provide an honest report of the reason for which you cannot attend class or complete a course activity
• Continue to complete coursework to the extent possible, using Canvas, zoom, and other online tools
• Submit assignments electronically to the extent possible and as directed by the instructor
• Communicate with the instructor to arrange modifications to deadlines or work requirements or reschedule exams or other important course activities, when it is necessary

Drinks and Food Policy

Due to COVID-19, no food or drinks are allowed in classrooms. Water is permissible, but extreme caution should be used.

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University Academic Policies and Student Support

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalogue.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Academic Misconduct

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook. 

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.

This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability.  Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Title IX Resources  

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. 

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Copyright Policy

It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.

 

Masking Policy

As outlined by the University of Oklahoma¹s Chief COVID Officer, until further notice, employees, students, and visitors of the OU community will be strongly encouraged to wear masks (1.) when they are inside University facilities and vehicles and (2.) when they are outdoors on campus and social distancing of at least six feet is not possible. For the well-being of the entire university community, it is important that everyone demonstrate the appropriate health and safety behaviors outlined in the University Mandatory Masking Policy (https://www.ou.edu/coronavirus/masking-policy). As this mandate includes all campus classrooms, please make sure you are wearing your mask while in class. If you do not have a mask or forgot yours, see the professor for available masks. If you have an exemption from the Mandatory Masking Policy, please see the professor to make accommodations before class begins. If and where possible, please make your professor aware of your exemption and/or accommodation prior to arriving in class.