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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 151 | American Sign Language 1 | 3 Units |
| EDS 152 | American Sign Language 2 (Prerequisite: EDS 151 or equiv ) |
3 Units |
| EDS 153 | American Sign Language 3 (Prerequisite: EDS 152 or equiv ) |
4 Units |
| EDS 154 | American Sign Language 4 (Prerequisite: EDS 153 or equiv ) |
4 Units |
| EDS 155 | American Sign Language 5 (Prerequisite: EDS 154 or equiv ) |
4 Units |
| EDS 156 | Fingerspelling and Numbers (Prerequisite: EDS 152) |
1 Unit |
| EDS 157 | American Sign Language Classifiers (Pre/Corequisite: EDS 153) |
1 Unit |
| EDS 160 | Introduction to Deaf Studies | 3 Units |
| EDS 161 | Deaf History and Education (Prerequisite: EDS 160) |
3 Units |
| EDS 162 | Deaf Culture and Community (Prerequisite: EDS 160) |
3 Units |
| EDS 163 | American Sign Language Literature (Prerequisite 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 154) |
2 Units |
| EDS 166 | Fieldwork in the Deaf Community (Prerequisite 155, 161, 162) |
2-5 Units |
| *can be repeated for credit |
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.