ASL Program
The Study of Signed Languages
The sign program within the Department of Linguistics has two main missions:
- we offer language instruction in American Sign Language, and
- we offer advanced training in research on the linguistics of signed languages.
The ASL Language Program
Fulfilling the Foreign Language Requirement. Undergraduates may fulfill their language requirement by taking ASL language courses. The foreign language requirement in the College of Liberal Arts is fulfilled by completing four courses: ASL 506, 507, 312K, and 312L. Please note that ASL 506 and 312K are only offered in the Fall Semester and in the first summer session. Similarly, ASL 507 and 312L are only offered in the Spring Semester and in the second summer session.
ASL Placement Test: students who have gained knowledge of ASL prior to coming to UT may seek to receive credit-by-examination for ASL 506. This computer-administered placement test is generally offered at the beginning of each semester. Please contact the Measurement & Evaluation Center for further information.
Upper Division Courses in ASL
Currently the Department of Linguistics offers three upper division courses as part of its sign program.
- ASL 320: Advanced American Sign Language Conversation. The prerequisite for this course is ASL 312L with a grade of at least a C.
- ASL 336: Introduction to Sign Interpreting. The prerequisite for this course is ASL 312L with a grade of at least a C.
- ASL 326 (= LIN 350): Signed Languages/Signing Communities. This course is an introduction to the linguistics of signed languages and is taught in English. There is no prerequisite for this course. It is not assumed that students will have taken the ASL language courses. This course is generally offered as a Substantial Writing Component course.
- ASL 350: American Sign Language Literature. This course will use ASL literature to expand ASL skills. Focuses on story telling, role shifts and classifiers.
