Professor Crystal Colter, Chair, Division of Behavioral Sciences
Assistant Professor Stephanie Proctor, Coordinator
Four majors offered at Maryville College draw on American Sign Language, the Major in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies, the Major in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies with Mental Health track, the Major in American Sign Language for Teacher Licensure, and the Major in American Sign Language-English Interpreting. Courses and major requirements for the major in American Sign Language-English Interpreting are listed under American Sign Language-English Interpreting in this catalog. Success in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies requires being able to perceive signers’ faces, hand movements and body movements and being able to convey and receive ASL through these channels quickly at the natural pace of language. Also essential is the ability to perceive and process visual information and eye-hand coordination that allow effective communication. A good foundation in basic ASL is critical to advancing successfully in the major in ASL and Deaf Studies.
Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved the following learning outcomes:
- Develop a language foundation that promotes the ability to effectively communicate in American Sign Language.
- Demonstrate appropriate American Sign Language vocabulary production.
- Demonstrate appropriate American Sign Language grammatical structure.
- Demonstrate culturally appropriate conversational skills in diverse social settings.
- Demonstrate the ability to establish/maintain social relationships with members of the Deaf community in general.
- Show awareness of and respect for Deaf culture.