American Sign Language (ASL)
Until just a few years ago, Yale students could study ASL only through the DILS (Directed Independent Language Study) program; they could not get credit for such study nor use it to fulfill the language requirement. In Spring 2017, after students expressed strong interest in having ASL courses offered as part of the Yale College curriculum and faculty enthusiastically endorsed the idea, the administration granted permission and allocated resources to start a three-semester pilot program (January 2018—June 2019).
Given the high demand for ASL during the pilot program, Yale decided to continue the teaching of ASL in the academic year 2019-20 and beyond. If there is sustained demand and interest, as we expect, ASL will become a permanent part of the Yale College curriculum and the number of courses offered will increase to meet demand.
Media Coverage of ASL at Yale
Yale Daily News, October 10, 2017: Natalie Wright
https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2017/10/10/yale-to-offer-sign-language-courses/
Yale Herald, November 10, 2017: Lauren Quintela
https://yaleherald.com/signs-of-change-3f77d616370b
The New Journal, November 17, 2017: Noah Macey
http://www.thenewjournalatyale.com/2017/11/sign-of-the-times-2/
Yale News, November 23, 2021: Susan Gonzalez
https://news.yale.edu/2021/11/23/making-world-more-accessible-sign-time
Yale Daily News, April 25, 2022: Michael Ndubisi
https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2022/04/15/yale-students-reflect-on-25th-…
ASL Lectors
Any questions about the undergraduate program can be directed to Julia Silvestri, ASL Program Coordinator.
Courses
ASL 110.01 American Sign Language I
An introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), with emphasis on vocabulary, ASL grammar, Deaf Culture and Conversational skills. Use of visual material (DVD), communicative activities, grammar drills, classifiers and Deaf Culture study. ASL 120 is not required to earn credit for ASL 110
ASL 110.08 American Sign Language I
An introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), with emphasis on vocabulary, ASL grammar, Deaf Culture and Conversational skills. Use of visual material (DVD), communicative activities, grammar drills, classifiers and Deaf Culture study. ASL 120 is not required to earn credit for ASL 110
ASL 110.02 American Sign Language I
An introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), with emphasis on vocabulary, ASL grammar, Deaf Culture and Conversational skills. Use of visual material (DVD), communicative activities, grammar drills, classifiers and Deaf Culture study. ASL 120 is not required to earn credit for ASL 110
ASL 110.03 American Sign Language I
An introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), with emphasis on vocabulary, ASL grammar, Deaf Culture and Conversational skills. Use of visual material (DVD), communicative activities, grammar drills, classifiers and Deaf Culture study. ASL 120 is not required to earn credit for ASL 110
ASL 110.04 American Sign Language I
An introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), with emphasis on vocabulary, ASL grammar, Deaf Culture and Conversational skills. Use of visual material (DVD), communicative activities, grammar drills, classifiers and Deaf Culture study. ASL 120 is not required to earn credit for ASL 110
ASL 110.05 American Sign Language I
An introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), with emphasis on vocabulary, ASL grammar, Deaf Culture and Conversational skills. Use of visual material (DVD), communicative activities, grammar drills, classifiers and Deaf Culture study. ASL 120 is not required to earn credit for ASL 110
ASL 110.06 American Sign Language I
An introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), with emphasis on vocabulary, ASL grammar, Deaf Culture and Conversational skills. Use of visual material (DVD), communicative activities, grammar drills, classifiers and Deaf Culture study. ASL 120 is not required to earn credit for ASL 110
ASL 110.07 American Sign Language I
An introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), with emphasis on vocabulary, ASL grammar, Deaf Culture and Conversational skills. Use of visual material (DVD), communicative activities, grammar drills, classifiers and Deaf Culture study. ASL 120 is not required to earn credit for ASL 110
ASL 130.01 American Sign Language III
Building on ASL 120, this course covers in depth the structure of ASL grammar, fingerspelling, narratives, and visual communication. Students develop expressive and receptive skills in storytelling and dialogue.
Prerequisites: ASL 120 or a placement evaluation by professor.
1.5 credits for Yale College students
ASL 130.02 American Sign Language III
Building on ASL 120, this course covers in depth the structure of ASL grammar, fingerspelling, narratives, and visual communication. Students develop expressive and receptive skills in storytelling and dialogue.
Prerequisites: ASL 120 or a placement evaluation by professor.
1.5 credits for Yale College students
ASL 120.01 - American Sign Language II
A continuation to American Sign Language (ASL) I, with emphasis on ASL grammar, expressive and receptive skills in storytelling and dialogues. Use of visual materials (DVD), grammar drills, proper use of non-manual markers and body language. Emphasis on character development, role shifting and story cohesion.
Prerequisite: ASL 110.
1.5 credits for Yale College students
ASL 120.02 - American Sign Language II
A continuation to American Sign Language (ASL) I, with emphasis on ASL grammar, expressive and receptive skills in storytelling and dialogues. Use of visual materials (DVD), grammar drills, proper use of non-manual markers and body language. Emphasis on character development, role shifting and story cohesion.
Prerequisite: ASL 110.
1.5 credits for Yale College students
ASL 120.03 - American Sign Language II
A continuation to American Sign Language (ASL) I, with emphasis on ASL grammar, expressive and receptive skills in storytelling and dialogues. Use of visual materials (DVD), grammar drills, proper use of non-manual markers and body language. Emphasis on character development, role shifting and story cohesion.
Prerequisite: ASL 110.
1.5 credits for Yale College students
ASL 120.04 - American Sign Language II
A continuation to American Sign Language (ASL) I, with emphasis on ASL grammar, expressive and receptive skills in storytelling and dialogues. Use of visual materials (DVD), grammar drills, proper use of non-manual markers and body language. Emphasis on character development, role shifting and story cohesion.
Prerequisite: ASL 110.
1.5 credits for Yale College students
ASL 140.01 - American Sign Language IV
Building on ASL 130, this course increases the emphasis on more abstract and challenging conversational and narrative range; cultural values and behavioral rules of the deaf community in the U.S; receptive and expressive activities, including vocabulary, grammatical structures, and aspects of the Deaf Culture in debate format.
Prerequisite: ASL 130; or as evaluated by professor.
ASL FAQ
Who will teach the ASL courses this coming year (2022-2023)?
Julia Silvestri, Frances Conlin, and Andrew Fisher.
Are enrollments capped?
Enrollment in ASL 110 will be capped at 18 and Enrollment in ASL 130 will be capped at 18.
How will students be chosen for ASL 110 and 130?
Students should check off “request instructor permission” on their YCS worksheet.
Do ASL courses count toward fulfillment of the Foreign Language Requirement (FLR)?
Yes, they do. Please consult the academic regulations for information about the foreign language distributional requirement.