**CLASS IS FULL
If you were unable to enroll in ASL classes at UC Berkeley, I strongly recommend taking ASL at Berkeley City College!! Their ASL department is awesome. http://www.berkeleycitycollege.edu/wp/asl/course-descriptions/

This course serves to introduce more students to American Sign Language and Deaf culture in order to increase Deaf-friendly spaces in the real world. Much of the general public is ignorant to Deaf culture and this is especially problematic in the field of healthcare, where ignorance could lead to frustrating patient experiences, or even detrimental miscommunications.

We will meet for 2 hours a week to develop and practice basic conversational ASL skills, while learning terms/phrases that are particularly applicable to healthcare settings. Throughout the semester, we will also have a few guest lectures by native signers. Students should be prepared to be engaged in interactive learning, as we will frequently use group/partner activities.

No prior knowledge or signing experience is required- students just need to be open to and interested in learning the language!

Grading (70% or greater to pass): 
Attendance and participation: 30% 
Assignments: 40% 
Comprehensive exam: 15% 
Expressive exam: 15%

There will be short homework assignments given each week, along with a 2 page essay reflection of a Deaf event or a prominent Deaf figure, due at the end of the semester. One free absence will be allowed, but each addition absence will result in a 10% deduction- missing class will interfere with your absorbance of the language! There will also be two exams given during the last 2 weeks of the course.