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American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major (B.A.)
Requirements
American Sign Language/Deaf Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in American and world society. The program promotes the understanding of deaf people as a linguistic and cultural group and encourages students to analyze existing stereotypes and policies relating to deaf and hard-of-hearing people in order to work both within their own communities and others in affecting change for the betterment of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
With an ASL/Deaf Studies Major, students may combine an ASL/Deaf Studies Major with a related Minor field of study such as Education, Counseling, Audiology, Speech Therapy, and Communication Studies for a more well-rounded grounding in the issues relating to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in their fields. Students in fields which are not specifically Deaf-related such as nursing, law, computer engineering, and many more may also experience an edge in gaining employment, whether in Deaf-related settings or not, with a Major or Minor in ASL/Deaf Studies compared to those without similar coursework or experience. Further, students having completed the ASL/Deaf Studies Major may be able to waive similar coursework at other universities with specialized fields of study relating to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people that may or may not be offered in the Sacramento region while pursuing advanced or continuing courses of study. Deaf Studies majors and minors enter careers and professions in both the public and private sectors. Program advising and other information can be obtained from the Program Coordinator and Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, School Psychology and Deaf Studies.
To qualify for the ASL/Deaf Studies Major, students must complete the following:
| Course | Course Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDS 51 | American Sign Language 1 | 3 Units |
| EDS 52 | American Sign Language 2 (Prerequisite: EDS 51 or equivalent ) |
3 Units |
| EDS 53 | American Sign Language 3 (Prerequisite: EDS 52 or equivalent ) |
4 Units |
| EDS 154 | American Sign Language 4 (Prerequisite: EDS 53 or equivalent ) |
4 Units |
| EDS 155 | American Sign Language 5 (Prerequisite: EDS 154 or equivalent. Corequisite: May be taken concurrently with EDS 163) |
4 Units |
| EDS 56 | Fingerspelling and Numbers (Prerequisite: EDS 52) |
1 Unit |
| EDS 57 | American Sign Language Classifiers (Pre/Corequisite: EDS 53) |
2 Units |
| EDS 60 | Introduction to Deaf Studies (Pre/Corequisite: None) [Also submitted for inclusion in G.E. Options; Area D2] |
3 Units |
| EDS 161 | Deaf History (Prerequisite: EDS 60) |
3 Units |
| EDS 162 | Deaf Culture and Community (Prerequisite: EDS 60) |
3 Units |
| EDS 163 | American Sign Language Literature (Prerequisite EDS 60, 154, 161, 162, and 164. Corequisite: May be taken concurrently with EDS 155) |
3 Units |
| EDS 164 | American Sign Language Structure and Usage (Prerequisite EDS 154) |
3 Units |
| EDS 165 | Seminar: Current Issues in the Deaf World* (Prerequisite EDS 60, 154, 161, and 162) |
2-5 Units |
| EDS 166 | Fieldwork in the Deaf Community (Prerequisite 155, 161, 162) |
3-5 Units |
| *can be repeated for credit | 41-48 Units |
Please Note
The following requirements must be met to qualify for the major:
- A maximum of 12 units from other accredited colleges may be transferred into the ASL/Deaf Studies program at Sac State;
- A minimum grade of C or better must be achieved in all ASL/Deaf Studies coursework.