SIGN 101 - American Sign Language 1 - Patty Ivankovic

Introduction

Hello!  I am excited to share my language and culture with you!  Teaching is my passion. This is an introductory level course in American Sign Language where you will learn signs and the language structure needed to communicate on a day-to-day basis and much more.  Attendance is required.

Course Description

Catalog Description:  

A fundamental study of American Sign Language (ASL) whereby students develop expressive and receptive language skills through the learning of basic vocabulary, grammatical structures, and cultural awareness.

Student Learning Outcomes:  

1. Demonstrate basic, functional conversational skills in American Sign Language.
2. Evaluate aspects of the Deaf community, including its culture, history, the role of American Sign Language, organizations, and specialized technology used by its members.

Course Objectives:

1. Formulate sentence structures in American Sign Language that incorporate affirmations, negations, confirmations, interrogatives, commands, and declaratives.
2. Construct information in American Sign Language that utilizes simple temporal markers, pronominalizations, numbers, spatial referencing, noun-verb pairs, and contrastive structure.
3. Relate classroom learning of culturally appropriate behaviors to real-world interactions with Deaf individuals in informal social situations, such as introductions, attention-getting techniques, negotiating a signing environment, meeting others, and exchanging information to establish community ties, use of name signs, conversation strategies, and use of specialized technology.

What to Expect in this Course

Homework assignments will be completed on CANVAS.  You will have an external tool called GoReact to complete expressive assignments.

Students are expected to attend class.  There will be class lectures and opportunities to practice language concepts taught.  Homework assignments reinforce the material taught in class and provide additional practice.  

Receptive and expressive quizzes to demonstrate your understanding of the language concept are scheduled for the end of each unit.

Types of Assessments

Students will be assessed through unit quizzes, exams, receptive and expressive assessments, and regular class assignments.

Receptive quizzes will be conducted in class, while expressive quizzes will be done on GoReact.

Textbook Information

We will be utilizing an Online Text.  This is REQUIRED. You will not be able to access the course without the online text. We will NOT be using the physical textbook.

Signing Naturally Units 1-6 Interactive Online Student Materials

Item number 1816ED

ISBN 978-1-58121-273-0

Codes are $69.95 each (If purchased through the publisher, Dawn Sign Press)

dawnsign.com

In addition to the online text mentioned above, please have a 1" 3-ring binder to bring to each class.  I provide handouts, study guides, etc. on a regular basis.

Other Relevant Course Information

Be sure to keep an eye out for an email from me before the beginning of the semester.    That email will contain information about our first day of class.

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 11/15/2025 Sub#: 1990 Sub ID: 204838