麻豆传媒映画

Nearly two decades ago, American Sign Language (ASL) as an academic subject nearly disappeared from 麻豆传媒映画. A victim of Great Recession-era budget cuts, the program  had dwindled to one lecturer and one course.

Those trying times were merely the start of a remarkable comeback story.

In the wake of years of advocacy and effort from students and faculty, a major milestone for ASL at 麻豆传媒映画 has been reached. Among the programs approved by the University Senate this semester was , which will be officially launched and available for students to declare this fall.

鈥淥ur faculty is very excited to offer the program and have it geared toward student opportunities to build on their confidence and knowledge of ASL,鈥� said Brad Cohen, coordinator of the ASL program at 麻豆传媒映画 and a member of the Deaf community.

The new program, Cohen says, is 鈥渁 big accomplishment鈥� many years in the making. It has also come to pass at an opportune moment.

"Now more and more Deaf people are educated, they're able to be out, to socialize more and to speak for themselves,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or our students, there are a lot of jobs that interact with Deaf people, so this is a good skill to have in your back pocket.鈥�

The new minor will usher in four new courses, each required to fulfill the minor but open for all: ASL 4, finger spelling, ASL literature and Deaf Culture. The rest of the minor consists of existing courses ASL 2 and ASL 3.

The cultural component is particularly important. Like any language, ASL does not merely convey information, it shares Deaf cultural values and norms through vivid facial expressions and body movements. 

"Without understanding these cultural elements, learners may miss the deeper meaning or emotional impact behind the signs," Cohen explained.

For example, a raised eyebrow can turn a statement into a question or add sarcasm. Or a repeated word can be used to add clarity or emphasis, as in the sentence "You finish see movie you?", where the second "you" signals an interrogative.

Open to students outside the minor, the course on Deaf culture will satisfy 麻豆传媒映画 general education and cultural diversity requirements.

Continued growth

Associate Professor Sera J. Hern谩ndez, who chairs the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education (DLE), hailed the work of the faculty who developed the minor over three years. She also called it a major milestone for DLE, which has been home to the ASL program as it has grown in popularity, faculty and course offerings over the past decade. 

鈥淚n DLE, we're about elevating minoritized languages,鈥� Hern谩ndez said. 鈥淲e also know that language and culture are inextricably linked. I鈥檓 excited for 麻豆传媒映画 undergrads to experience learning ASL taught by faculty members that are leaders in ASL instruction, and also happen to be from the Deaf community so they can foster students鈥� cultural awareness and competence.鈥�

鈥淭his is another great opportunity for our ASL faculty and students to demonstrate their linguistic genius.鈥�

While the minor is a milestone, it likely won鈥檛 be the last one in ASL鈥檚 comeback story at 麻豆传媒映画. A major 鈥� which can serve as a professional pipeline for ASL interpreters 鈥� is under development. 

Cohen is excited for what it all means. 

"The more people know sign language definitely helps the Deaf community and Deaf culture,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t creates understanding and sensitivity, less audism, less oppression, less judgment of what Deaf people can do and what they can't do. 

鈥淚t will provide a better opportunity for people 鈥� hearing and Deaf 鈥� to be able to work together. That's a big impact for both sides.鈥�