American Sign Language

Major

Since we offer only a limited sequence of courses, no major in ASL is currently available at the University.

Minor

In order to apply for the Minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, students should meet or email the Director of the ASL Program. At that time the students and the Director will discuss the student’s plans for how ASL relates to their academic study and career plans and complete a worksheet outlining the requirements completed and the requirements the student plans to take before his/her expected graduation date. Upon completion of the minor coursework, the student will meet again with the Director to complete a declaration form that will be signed by the Director and then submitted by the student to the registrar of his/her school.

Requirements Minor

The Minor in ASL and Deaf Culture consists of 18 credit hours above the ASL 2020 level and must include ASL 3010 Conversational ASL, and ASL 4750 Topics in Deaf Studies.  A grade or C or better must be earned in each of these courses. Up to 6 credits may be transferred from other institutions in the USA or abroad upon prior approval of the Director of the American Sign Language Program. Independent Study in ASL may be counted toward the minor upon approval of the Director.  Non-ASL courses (e.g, LNGS, ANTH, EDHS) having significant relation to ASL or having a significant focus or major project involving ASL may also be counted towards the minor upon approval of the Director.

Required Courses

• ASL 3010 - Conversational ASL  
• ASL 4750 - Contemporary Deaf Studies  

Qualifying electives

• ASL 2300 - Women and Gender In The Deaf World  
• ASL 2450 - Deaf People, Society, and the Law  
• ASL 3015 - Language House Conversation in ASL  
• ASL/HIUS 3081 - History of the American Deaf Community  
• ASL 3400/ENGL 3922 - Deafness in Literature and Film  
• ASL 3410/ENGL 3840 - Contemporary Disability Theory  
• ASL 3450 - Comparative Linguistics: ASL and English  
• ASL 3559 - New Course in American Sign Language
• ASL/PSYC 4112 - Psychology and Deaf People  
• ASL/PSYC 4115 - Multiculturalism in the Deaf Community  
• ASL 4993 - Independent Study in American Sign Language  

Other Courses

The following list includes additional courses which could qualify as an elective for the minor program. Other courses can be added with the approval of the Director of the American Sign Language Program.

• ANTH 2430 - Languages of the World  
• ANTH 2410 - Sociolinguistics  
• ANTH 3490 - Language and Thought  
• EDHS 4300 - Psycholinguistics & Communication  

Language Requirement

Students who successfully complete or place out of ASL 2020 may use ASL for their foreign language requirement.

Additional Information

For more information, consult the program website or contact Greg Propp, Director of the ASL Program, at gp5c@virginia.edu.

Course Descriptions

• ASL 1010 - Elementary American Sign Language I Credits: 4
• ASL 1020 - Elementary American Sign Language II Credits: 4
• ASL 2010 - Intermediate American Sign Language I Credits: 3
• ASL 2020 - Intermediate American Sign Language II Credits: 3
• ASL 2300 - Women and Gender In The Deaf World Credits: 3
• ASL 2450 - Deaf People, Society, and the Law Credits: 3
• ASL 3010 - Conversational ASL Credits: 3
• ASL 3015 - Language House Conversation in ASL Credits: 1
• ASL 3081 - History of the American Deaf Community Credits: 3
• ASL 3400 - Deafness in Literature and Film Credits: 3 OR
• ENGL 3922 - Deafness in Literature and Film Credits: 3
• ASL 3410 - Contemporary Disability Theory Credits: 3 OR
• ENGL 3840 - Contemporary Disability Theory Credits: 3
• ASL 3450 - Comparative Linguistics: ASL and English Credits: 3
• ASL 3559 - New Course in American Sign Language Credits: 1.00 to 4.00
• ASL 4112 - Psychology and Deaf People Credits: 3
• ASL 4115 - Multiculturalism in the Deaf Community Credits: 3
• ASL 4750 - Contemporary Deaf Studies Credits: 3
• ASL 4993 - Independent Study in American Sign Language Credits: 1 to 3