The Associate of Arts Degree in Deaf Studies is a foundational degree for those wishing to obtain mastery of American Sign Language (ASL). By completion of specific General Education courses, this program fulfills many of the requirements and foundation courses for transfer to baccalaureate Deaf Studies majors. American Sign Language skills can be applied immediately to career choices in the fields of education, nursing, counseling, film, or any other area Deaf people live and work. Students can further their careers by pursuing degrees in Deaf education to be a credentialed teacher to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students. Students may also pursue a career in ASL pedagogy, to teach ASL in a secondary or post-secondary educational setting.
Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.Course | Units | Typically Offered |
1st Semester | ||
ASL 101 - American Sign Language I (RHC GE 7b)M | 4.5 | |
ASL 101 - American Sign Language I (4.5 units) (formerly ASL 149) Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. This course will provide an introduction to American Sign Language, emphasizing receptive and expressive skills. The use of facial expressions during signing will also be addressed. Students will be exposed to deaf culture experiences in the classroom and other environments. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in American Sign Language via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. This course is designed for students who want to learn how to communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. | ||
ASL 120 - Introduction to Deaf StudiesM | 3.0 | |
ASL 120 - Introduction to Deaf Studies (3.0 units) PrerequisiteASL 101 This course introduces students to the basic information of the American Deaf experience in the United States: Deaf community/culture and American Sign Language. This course exposes students to the history, contributions and contemporary lives of Deaf people in America. This course is interdisciplinary in that it introduces a range of issues that are developed in the purview of Deaf Studies — linguistics, education, sociology, psychology and other fields. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor. | ||
ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 101) (RHC GE 1b and 8a)GE | 3.5 | |
ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 101) (3.5 units) (Formerly ENGL 001A, ENGL 101) Prerequisite:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process. In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. | ||
Select one: STAT C1000 / STAT C1000H / PSY 190 / MATH 150 (RHC GE 2)GE | 3.0† | |
Notes: While the above course(s) are recommended, students may take any of the following courses to fulfill this requirement: FIN 101, MATH 060, MATH 073, MATH 130/H, MATH 140, MATH 150, MATH 160, MATH 170, MATH 175, MATH 180, MATH 190/H, PSY 190. STAT C1000 - Introduction to Statistics (formerly MATH 130) (4.0 units) (Formerly MATH 012, MATH 130) Advisory:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra. ENGL C1000, READ 101 This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. STAT C1000H - Introduction to Statistics - Honors (formerly MATH 130H) (4.0 units) Advisory:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra. READ 101, ENGL C1000 This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This is an honors course. This course is recommended for students intending on participating in the Honors Transfer Program. PSY 190 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4.0 units) Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course. This course provides an overview of the types of statistics that are important in the behavioral sciences. It is designed to teach students majoring in psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology how to present and interpret experimental data. The course focuses on hypothesis testing and the statistics used to analyze assumptions, with topics including basic probability, measures of central tendency, measures of variance, sampling, and inferential statistics. MATH 150 - Survey of Mathematics (3.0 units) Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course. In this course students will learn to read and understand quantitative information, solve practical problems, and make sound decisions using numbers. Topics include consumer applications, logic, probability, statistics, algebra, and geometry. This course is for students who need a quantitative reasoning course for graduation or transfer. | ||
RHC GE 8 - Oral Communication and Critical ThinkingGE | 3.0† | |
Notes: Select one: MATH 140, 150, 160, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 190H, 191, 250, 251, 260, 270; | ||
Total Semester Units: | 17.0† | |
2nd Semester | ||
ASL 102 - American Sign Language IIM | 4.5 | |
ASL 102 - American Sign Language II (4.5 units) (formerly ASL 150) Prerequisite:ASL 101,(formerly ASL 149) or two years of high school ASL with a "C" or better or successfully pass an interview and comprehensive exam developed by the department demonstrating competency of the skills required in an ASL I course. This course will provide a continuation to American Sign Language I (ASL 101), emphasizing receptive and expressive skills. The use of facial expressions during signing will also be addressed. Students will be exposed to deaf culture experiences in the classroom and other environments. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. This course is designed for students who want to learn how to communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. | ||
ASL 124 - Deaf CultureM | 3.0 | |
ASL 124 - Deaf Culture (3.0 units) Prerequisite/Corequisite: ASL 102 This course will cover basic information and research on deaf culture, deaf children and their upbringing, deaf education, the importance of American Sign Language to the deaf community, deaf societies around the world, and advances in and usage of technology for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The course will focus on research and progress within deaf culture. This course will be taught using a combination of American Sign Language and spoken English and, depending on the instructor, may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures. | ||
RHC GE 5 - Natural Sciences with LabGE | 4.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one Natural Science with Lab: | ||
RHC GE 7a - Fine ArtsGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 14.5 | |
Summer 1 | ||
RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE | 1.0 | |
Select one: KINA or DANC activity course. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 4.0 | |
3rd Semester | ||
ASL 201 - American Sign Language IIIM | 4.5 | |
ASL 201 - American Sign Language III (4.5 units) Prerequisite: ASL 102 This course will focus on refining students’ knowledge of the grammatical structure and lexicon of American Sign Language as these things relate to its historical, artistic, and cultural influence in mainstream society, with an emphasis on receptive/expressive conversational and cultural skills for communication. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. | ||
ASL 250 - ASL LinguisticsM | 3.0 | |
ASL 250 - ASL Linguistics (3.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 102 This course will serve as an introductory course in linguistics, with a special emphasis on American Sign Language (ASL). Students will learn basic linguistic concepts such as phonology, morphology, and syntax as they apply to all languages. Students will further their knowledge of linguistics as it relates specifically to ASL. No prior knowledge of linguistics is needed to take this course. Upon completion of this course students will be able to pursue careers related to Deaf education or ASL pedagogy. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor. | ||
RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral SciencesGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE | 1.0 | |
Select one: KINA or DANC activity course. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 11.5 | |
4th Semester | ||
ASL 202 - American Sign Language IVM | 4.5 | |
ASL 202 - American Sign Language IV (4.5 units) Prerequisite: ASL 201 This course will provide a continuation to American Sign Language III (ASL 201). The course will focus on the use of American Sign Language in practical applications through discussing relevant topics like math, current events, arts, and various other topics, with an emphasis on applying the language in real world interactions. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. | ||
ASL 270 - ASL LiteratureM | 3.0 | |
ASL 270 - ASL Literature (3.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 201 This course will take students on a journey through the history and current status of the literary body of American Sign Language (ASL). This is a rare opportunity to explore a body of literature in its infancy stages. Students will analyze videos and books created or written by ASL poetic performers or authors. Word choices, deeper meanings, and metaphors used will be discussed. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor. | ||
ASL 280 - ASL StorytellingM | 2.0 | |
ASL 280 - ASL Storytelling (2.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 124, ASL 201br>Transfers to:UC, CSU This course is designed to further refine the student's knowledge and mastery of American Sign Language (ASL) through the practical application of storytelling. Students will study master storytellers and analyze their techniques. Upon completion of this course, students will have created multiple original stories in ASL. These are necessary skills to achieve fluency in ASL. | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 15.5 | |
Total Units for American Sign Language/Deaf Studies AA program | 62.5† | |
|
† | Some classes may have higher units |
M | Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement |
GE | General Education course |
EL | Elective Course |
Course | Units | Typically Offered |
1st Semester | ||
ASL 101 - American Sign Language IM | 4.5 | |
ASL 101 - American Sign Language I (4.5 units) (formerly ASL 149) Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. This course will provide an introduction to American Sign Language, emphasizing receptive and expressive skills. The use of facial expressions during signing will also be addressed. Students will be exposed to deaf culture experiences in the classroom and other environments. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in American Sign Language via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. This course is designed for students who want to learn how to communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. | ||
ASL 120 - Introduction to Deaf StudiesM | 3.0 | |
ASL 120 - Introduction to Deaf Studies (3.0 units) PrerequisiteASL 101 This course introduces students to the basic information of the American Deaf experience in the United States: Deaf community/culture and American Sign Language. This course exposes students to the history, contributions and contemporary lives of Deaf people in America. This course is interdisciplinary in that it introduces a range of issues that are developed in the purview of Deaf Studies — linguistics, education, sociology, psychology and other fields. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor. | ||
ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 101) (IGETC 1A)GE | 3.5 | |
ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 101) (3.5 units) (Formerly ENGL 001A, ENGL 101) Prerequisite:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process. In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. | ||
Select one: STAT C1000 / STAT C1000H / PSY 190 / MATH 150 (IGETC 2)GE | 3.0† | |
Notes: While the above course(s) are recommended, students may take any of the following courses to fulfill this requirement: MATH 130/H, MATH 150, MATH 160, MATH 170, MATH 180, MATH 190/H, PSY 190 STAT C1000 - Introduction to Statistics (formerly MATH 130) (4.0 units) (Formerly MATH 012, MATH 130) Advisory:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra. ENGL C1000, READ 101 This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. STAT C1000H - Introduction to Statistics - Honors (formerly MATH 130H) (4.0 units) Advisory:Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra. READ 101, ENGL C1000 This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This is an honors course. This course is recommended for students intending on participating in the Honors Transfer Program. PSY 190 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4.0 units) Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course. This course provides an overview of the types of statistics that are important in the behavioral sciences. It is designed to teach students majoring in psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology how to present and interpret experimental data. The course focuses on hypothesis testing and the statistics used to analyze assumptions, with topics including basic probability, measures of central tendency, measures of variance, sampling, and inferential statistics. MATH 150 - Survey of Mathematics (3.0 units) Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course. In this course students will learn to read and understand quantitative information, solve practical problems, and make sound decisions using numbers. Topics include consumer applications, logic, probability, statistics, algebra, and geometry. This course is for students who need a quantitative reasoning course for graduation or transfer. | ||
Cal-GETC 1c - Oral CommunicationGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 17.0† | |
2nd Semester | ||
ASL 102 - American Sign Language II (IGETC 3B)M | 4.5 | |
ASL 102 - American Sign Language II (4.5 units) (formerly ASL 150) Prerequisite:ASL 101,(formerly ASL 149) or two years of high school ASL with a "C" or better or successfully pass an interview and comprehensive exam developed by the department demonstrating competency of the skills required in an ASL I course. This course will provide a continuation to American Sign Language I (ASL 101), emphasizing receptive and expressive skills. The use of facial expressions during signing will also be addressed. Students will be exposed to deaf culture experiences in the classroom and other environments. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. This course is designed for students who want to learn how to communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. | ||
ASL 124 - Deaf CultureM | 3.0 | |
ASL 124 - Deaf Culture (3.0 units) Prerequisite/Corequisite: ASL 102 This course will cover basic information and research on deaf culture, deaf children and their upbringing, deaf education, the importance of American Sign Language to the deaf community, deaf societies around the world, and advances in and usage of technology for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The course will focus on research and progress within deaf culture. This course will be taught using a combination of American Sign Language and spoken English and, depending on the instructor, may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures. | ||
Cal-GETC 5b - Biological ScienceGE | 3.0† | |
Notes: Select one: | ||
Cal-GETC 1b - Critical Thinking and CompositionGE | 3.0† | |
Notes: Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 13.5† | |
Summer 1 | ||
US HISTORY (IGETC 4)GE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. All CSU campuses have a graduation requirement in American Institutions. Students may choose one of the following US History courses to partially fulfill this requirement: HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170. | ||
Cal-GETC 3a - ArtsGE | 3.0† | |
Notes: Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 6.0† | |
3rd Semester | ||
ASL 201 - American Sign Language IIIM | 4.5 | |
ASL 201 - American Sign Language III (4.5 units) Prerequisite: ASL 102 This course will focus on refining students’ knowledge of the grammatical structure and lexicon of American Sign Language as these things relate to its historical, artistic, and cultural influence in mainstream society, with an emphasis on receptive/expressive conversational and cultural skills for communication. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. | ||
ASL 250 - ASL LinguisticsM | 3.0 | |
ASL 250 - ASL Linguistics (3.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 102 This course will serve as an introductory course in linguistics, with a special emphasis on American Sign Language (ASL). Students will learn basic linguistic concepts such as phonology, morphology, and syntax as they apply to all languages. Students will further their knowledge of linguistics as it relates specifically to ASL. No prior knowledge of linguistics is needed to take this course. Upon completion of this course students will be able to pursue careers related to Deaf education or ASL pedagogy. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor. | ||
Cal-GETC 6 - Ethnic StudiesGE | 3.0 | |
Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 10.5 | |
4th Semester | ||
ASL 202 - American Sign Language IVM | 4.5 | |
ASL 202 - American Sign Language IV (4.5 units) Prerequisite: ASL 201 This course will provide a continuation to American Sign Language III (ASL 201). The course will focus on the use of American Sign Language in practical applications through discussing relevant topics like math, current events, arts, and various other topics, with an emphasis on applying the language in real world interactions. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. | ||
ASL 270 - ASL LiteratureM | 3.0 | |
ASL 270 - ASL Literature (3.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 201 This course will take students on a journey through the history and current status of the literary body of American Sign Language (ASL). This is a rare opportunity to explore a body of literature in its infancy stages. Students will analyze videos and books created or written by ASL poetic performers or authors. Word choices, deeper meanings, and metaphors used will be discussed. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor. | ||
ASL 280 - ASL StorytellingM | 2.0 | |
ASL 280 - ASL Storytelling (2.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 124, ASL 201br>Transfers to:UC, CSU This course is designed to further refine the student's knowledge and mastery of American Sign Language (ASL) through the practical application of storytelling. Students will study master storytellers and analyze their techniques. Upon completion of this course, students will have created multiple original stories in ASL. These are necessary skills to achieve fluency in ASL. | ||
Cal-GETC 5a - Physical ScienceGE | 3.0† | |
Notes: Select one: | ||
Cal-GETC 5c - LaboratoryGE | 1.0 | |
Select one if lab has not been completed in IGETC 5A or 5B. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 13.5† | |
Summer 2 | ||
Select one: POLS C1000 / POLS C1000H (IGETC 4)GE | 3.0 | |
POLS C1000 - American Government and Politics (3.0 units) (Formerly POLS 110, 002) Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. POLS C1000H - American Government and Politics - Honors (3.0 units) (Formerly POLYS 110H, POLS 110H) Advisory: ENGL C1000 This is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. This is an honors course. | ||
The course data is currently unavailable. | 0 | |
Total Semester Units: | 3.0 | |
Total Units for American Sign Language/Deaf Studies AA program (Transfer to Cal-GETC) | 63.5† | |
|
|
† | Some classes may have higher units |
M | Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement |
GE | General Education course |
EL | Elective Course |
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet. |
Students will demonstrate a high level confidence in communicating using ASL in all environments.
Students will have an in-depth knowledge of the Deaf culture and community, and will be able to apply this knowledge in social, professional, and academic settings.
Students will meet the entrance expectations for a bachelor degree in Deaf studies in fields such as Deaf education.
Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.
Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
Phone: (562) 692-0921
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