Madonna University
College of Arts and Humanities
Sign Language Studies Department
American Sign Language (ASL) is the language of the American Deaf
Community. ASL has become a serious area of study for individuals
interested in communicating and working with Deaf persons. The Sign
Language Studies/Interpreting Department offers students the opportunity
to develop ASL communication skills and an understanding of the language
and its community. Interpreting courses are also offered for students
interested in Sign language interpretation. Second language teaching
methods include: structural, functional and communicative approaches to
language learning.
Emphasis is placed on the sociocultural
aspects of American Deaf Culture and the right of Deaf children and adults
to learn and use American Sign Language.
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in Sign language studies
are encouraged to consider a second major as well. Such program planning
will assist the student in developing career-related skills by integrating
other majors with the SLS major. (See chart of Madonna University Majors.)
Students can be admitted to the interpreter program by completing the SLS
core and meeting departmental language requirements. Students may also be
admitted to the interpreting concentration if interested in interpreter
upgrading or preparation for certification. Please direct all questions to
the SLS/Interpreting epartment at 734.432.5616.
Sign Language Studies Major (44-53 s.h.)
Required Major Core Courses:
SLS 1000 Sign Language in Society 3 s.h.
SLS 1010 Beginning American Sign Language I 4 s.h.
SLS 1020 Beginning American Sign Language II 4 s.h.
SLS 2010 Intermediate American Sign Language I 4 s.h.
SLS 2020 Intermediate American Sign Language II 4 s.h.
SLS 2280 Fingerspelling I 1 s.h.
SLS 2290 Fingerspelling II 1 s.h.
SLS 3010 Advanced American Sign Language I 3 s.h.
SLS 3020 Advanced American Sign Language II 3 s.h.
SLS 4620 Sign Language Structure 4 s.h.
HUM 4950 Senior Seminar* 1 s.h.
Total Core SLS hours: 32 s.h.
* HUM 4950 required for all SLS majors pursuing Bachelor of Arts
degrees.
SLS Interpreting Concentration:
Core courses plus:
SLS 4410 Fundamentals of Interpretation & Transliteration 4 s.h.
SLS 4450 Simultaneous Interpretation for Interpreters 3 s.h.
SLS 4610 Voice to Sign: Interpreting Lab 3 s.h.
SLS 4650 Contrastive Text Analysis: ASL & English
for Interpreters 3 s.h.
SLS 4710 Selected Seminar Topics 1-4 s.h.
SLS 4720 Interpreting for Deaf-blind People 1-4 s.h.
SLS 4750 Interpreting in Specialized Settings 3 s.h.
SLS 4810 Sign to Voice: Interpreting Lab 3 s.h.
SLS 4930 Field Experience 1-16 s.h.
Total Interpreting Semester Hours: 22 s.h.
SLS Professional Studies Concentration: Core courses plus a minimum
of 14 hours to be chosen from:
SLS 2110 Orientation to Deafness 3 s.h.
SLS 3310 Deaf Culture 3 s.h.
SLS 3450 Deafness and Community Resources 3 s.h.
SLS 4010 American Sign Language: Discourse 3 s.h.
SLS 4020 American Sigh Language: Deaf Literature 3 s.h.
SLS 4030 ASL Drama 1-3 s.h.
SLS 4280 Simultaneous Communication 3 s.h.
SLS 4710 Selected Seminar Topics 1-4 s.h.
Sign Language Studies Major - Associate Degree (32 s.h.)
Required Major Courses:
SLS 1000 Sign Language in Society 3 s.h.
SLS 1010 Beginning American Sign Language I 4 s.h.
SLS 1020 Beginning American Sign Language II 4 s.h.
SLS 2010 Intermediate American Sign Language I 4 s.h.
SLS 2020 Intermediate American Sign Language II 4 s.h.
SLS 2280 Fingerspelling I 1 s.h.
SLS 2290 Fingerspelling II 1 s.h.
SLS 3010 Advanced American Sign Language I 3 s.h.
SLS 3020 Advanced American Sign Language II 3 s.h.
SLS 4620 Sign Language Structure 4 s.h.
31 s.h.
Sign Language Studies Minor (32 s.h.)
Required Minor Courses:
SLS 1000 Sign Language in Society 3 s.h.
SLS 1010 Beginning American Sign Language I 4 s.h.
SLS 1020 Beginning American Sign Language II 4 s.h.
SLS 2010 Intermediate American Sign Language I 4 s.h.
SLS 2020 Intermediate American Sign Language II 4 s.h.
SLS 2280 Fingerspelling I 1 s.h.
SLS 2290 Fingerspelling II 1 s.h.
SLS 3010 Advanced American Sign Language I 3 s.h.
SLS 3020 Advanced American Sign Language II 3 s.h.
SLS 4620 Sign Language Structure 4 s.h.
31 s.h.
Sign Language Studies Certificate of Achievement (35 s.h.)
Required Courses:
ENG 1010 Communication Skills 3 s.h.
SLS 1000 Sign Language in Society 3 s.h.
SLS 1010 Beginning American Sign Language I 4 s.h.
SLS 1020 Beginning American Sign Language II 4 s.h.
SLS 2010 Intermediate American Sign Language I 4 s.h.
SLS 2020 Intermediate American Sign Language II 4 s.h.
SLS 2280 Fingerspelling I 1 s.h.
SLS 2290 Fingerspelling II 1 s.h.
SLS 3010 Advanced American Sign Language I 3 s.h.
SLS 3020 Advanced American Sign Language II 3 s.h.
SLS 4620 Sign Language Structure 4 s.h.
34 s.h.
