The minor in American Sign Language provides students with foundational knowledge of ASL linguistics, structure, and Deaf cultural contexts. Through progressive coursework, students explore ASL phonology, morphology, syntax, and narrative genres while developing both production and comprehension skills. Students examine ASL registers, spatial grammar, visual media, and ASL literature, gaining critical understanding of ASL as a complete, sophisticated language. The curriculum also covers Deaf cultural experiences from multidisciplinary perspectives, building cultural competence and appreciation for Deaf communities. This minor is ideal for students in education, linguistics, interpretation, social work, psychology, or any field where understanding ASL as a linguistic system enhances professional effectiveness. The ASL minor complements a wide range of majors and prepares students to work more inclusively in diverse settings.
Program at a Glance
-
On campus
Courses & Requirements
Summary of Requirements
Required pre-minor courses 3 credits
This course introduces students to different types of specialized, academic discourses in American Sign Language. Students will be given opportunities to analyze and evaluate academic and creative works and to compose logical arguments infused with critical thinking skills and perspectives through synthesizing information from sources.
Grade of B- or above in ASL 102 Advanced American Sign Language course, or qualifying performance on ASL Self-assessment or ASL screening interview.
Required minor courses 15 credits
This course covers areas of vocabulary, semantics, grammar and organization of ASL and English. Students look at the linguistic aspects of both languages and compare the two. The class also covers word classes and sentence structure of both languages. To assist students in understanding the structure of both languages, discussion of how languages work is included.
LIN 101, ENG 102 and ASL 125 or equivalent
Visual media has changed the way we work with American Sign Language. With the advent of new tools and platforms, possibilities of publishing have proliferated, allowing a wider discourse of ideas to be shared with a vast audience of people who work with ASL and ASL learners. This course explores these opportunities through a hands-on approach and introduces students to the tools and skills necessary to produce digital video, websites, interactive presentations and social media and integrate those with the field of ASL.
LIN 101 and ASL 125
This course is designed to expose students to the variety of features in ASL by recognizing and considering the ways those features are demonstrated in naturalistic data. Students will compile a collection of data sets, which will allow them to investigate ASL features. Critical analysis of ASL features including ASL fingerspelling, sentence types, and non-manual aspects of the language reinforces students' abilities in creating, utilizing, and analyzing ASL materials for the purpose of academic research, pedagogy, and resources.
ASL 290
This course is designed to continue students' exposure to the variety of features in ASL by recognizing and considering the ways those features are demonstrated in naturalistic data. Students will compile a collection of data sets, which will allow them to investigate ASL features. Critical analysis of ASL features including ASL depiction, discourse features, and ASL registers reinforces students' abilities in creating, utilizing, and analyzing ASL materials for the purpose of academic research, pedagogy, and resources.
ASL 304 or permission of instructor
This course provides an overview of various genres in American Sign Language Narratives ranging from visual vernacular to fictional narratives. Students will analyze contents, themes and stylistic techniques of works done by various ASL literary artists. This course emphasizes practices in planning, developing, performing and critiquing various narrative genres.
ASL 270 and 290
Elective minor courses 6 credits
Choose two courses:
This course provides an overview of various genres in American Sign Language Poetics ranging from ABC Stories to Poetry. Students will analyze contents, themes and stylistic techniques of works done by various ASL literary artists. This course emphasizes practices in planning, developing, performing and critiquing various works in the poetics genres.
ASL 270 and 290
This course covers elocution, in other words, registers of ASL discourse -- frozen, formal, consultative, casual and intimate. Students will be able to discuss using ASL in the most common registers (formals, consultative and casual) in classrooms or at social events. They will also learn how to refine their skills in giving presentations using formal ASL.
ASL 270 or permission of instructor
This course demonstrates the use of space and eye gaze. It also demonstrates the use of role shifting to indicate speaker or locus of the subject/object in the ASL text. Organization of an ASL text and the function of these features will be covered. How they overlap with other features of the language will also be covered. Turn-taking regulators will be discussed within the conversation style of a discourse text.
ASL 304
This course will begin with developing an understanding of the concept of 'culture' and then will focus on the complexities and varieties of Deaf cultural experiences. Students will be asked to engage course materials through multi-disciplinary approaches in order to gain a critical appreciation of Deaf lives within historical, political and global contexts.
Grade of C or better in DST 203 or ASL 270 or permission of the instructor.
This course examines various forms of oppression by looking across different cultures and communities, then examines possible parallels occurring within the deaf community.
DST 101 or ASL 125
Opportunities
ASL graduates often pursue advanced degrees in areas such as: M.A. in Sign Language Education Prepares future instructors in ASL across various educational settings. M.A. in Linguistics Focuses on the structure, use, and evolution of signed languages. M.A. in Education / Secondary Education Opens pathways to teaching in general or secondary education, including work with Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. M.A. in Deaf Studies Explores the culture, history, and societal contributions of Deaf communities.
Graduates are prepared for careers in
ASL Teacher / Coach Instruction and mentoring in schools, universities, or private settings. ASL Interpreter Facilitating communication between Deaf and hearing individuals. ASL Program Coordinator / Specialist Designing and managing educational or community programs in ASL. ASL Consultant / Linguist / Researcher Supporting curriculum development, language analysis, or academic research. ASL Advocate Promoting accessibility, rights, and cultural awareness. ASL Content Analyst / Critic Working with ASL literature, media, and digital storytelling.
Job Outlook
Social Worker
The employment for Social Workers is expected to grow 6% from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $61,330. Learn more here.
Curation and Archiving
The employment for Museum work such as Curation, and Archiving is expected to grow at a 6% rate from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $57,100. Learn more here.
Interpreter
The employment for Interpreters is set to grow at a 2% rate between 2024-2034, with a median annual salary of $59,440. Learn more here.
Education, Training, and Library Occupations
The employment of Education, Training, and Library Occupations are expected to grow slower than the average for all occupations from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $59,220. Learn more about career opportunities in education, training, and library occupations.
Admissions
Learn about Gallaudet’s admissions requirements, steps to apply, application deadlines and more at our Undergraduate Admissions page.
First-time College Students Transfer International Students Visiting StudentsTuition and Financial Aid
Accessibility is core to everything we do at Gallaudet. You see it in the quality of our interpreters and the design of our campus buildings. That philosophy extends to our costs and aid. We’re committed to ensuring students from all financial backgrounds are able to obtain a world-class education.
Faculty
Wanda Riddle
Assistant Professor
Contact
- Minor in ASL
- masled@gallaudet.edu
- BA-ASL@gallaudet.edu
