- Kalamazoo Valley Community College

American Sign Language

Certificate of Achievement

Date: 12-APR-11

Effective Term: Fall 2011

This certificate of achievement supplements an associate degree in any area, including criminal justice, education, health careers, journalism, and social work. The COA may also be used to complement an AA or AS (transfer) degree and could be beneficial to a professional seeking ADA compliance. Contact Su Cutler, KVCC faculty, for further information at (269) 488-4862.


Program Required Courses		Minimum Credits: 18.00

	FRL 160 American Sign Language I 4-4-0 (Lecture/Discussion) This course offers an introduction to American Sign Language through drill and practice of both expressive and receptive skills. Some information on U.S. deaf culture is included. This first course lays the foundation through acquisition of basic vocabulary and knowledge of basic syntax for students to go on to achieve a more thorough knowledge of ASL. FRL 160	American Sign Language I	4
	FRL 161 American Sign Language II 4-4-0 (Lecture/Discussion) In this continuation of FRL 160, students further develop their expressive and receptive skills as well as conversational skills through learning new vocabulary and grammar. Some attention is given to the history, customs and diversity of the deaf community and the geographical distribution and diversity of ASL and of the deaf in the U.S. PREREQUISITE: Successful completionm of FRL 160 is REQUIRED. FRL 161	American Sign Language II	4
	FRL 163 Fingerspelling 2-2-0 (Lecture/Discussion) Students concentrate on developing expressive and receptive skills in fingerspelling in isolation and within signing. Students work on clarity and fluency in use of numbers and 26 handshpaes of the signing alphabet. Course assumes one year of experience with ASL. PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of FRL 160 is REQUIRED. Corequisite: FRL 161 is recommended. FRL 163	Fingerspelling	2
	FRL 260 American Sign Language III 4-4-0 (Lecture/Discussion) A continuation of FRL 161 and the equivalent of the first semester of a second year of study of the language. This course stresses development of expressive and receptive skills in ASL through work with literature in ASL and includes a general grammar review and the study of deaf culture. Recommended prerequisite: FRL 161 with a 2.0 or better, or permission from ASL coordinator. FRL 260	American Sign Language III	4
	FRL 261 American Sign Language IV 4-4-0 (Lecture/Discussion) As a continuation of American Sign Language (ASL) III, this course continues to stress development of expressive and receptive skills in ASL through work with stories and ASL literature (live and videotaped). Students acquire knowledge about communication in the U.S. Deaf communities and about dialects of ASL. There is an emphasis on a high level of communication competence. Recommended prerequisite: FRL 260 with a 2.0 or better, or permission from ASL coordinator. FRL 261	American Sign Language IV	4

Minimum Total Credits: 18

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