Associate of Arts, (AA.ASL/IE)

Whenever people from two cultures that use different languages try to communicate, the message often needs interpretation. For instance, when (hearing) individuals who speak English try to communicate with Deaf individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL), a qualified Interpreter for the Deaf is often requested, and sometimes mandated by law.  Job opportunities in this rapidly expanding profession have increased especially since the enactment of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American With Disabilities Act of 1990.  Qualified Interpreters for the Deaf are employed by public and private agencies or institutions within education, social services, rehabilitation, medicine, mental health, criminal justice, business, and the arts, especially the theater.

Thus, this degree is designed for students who intend to complete a baccalaureate degree in Interpreter for the Deaf.  Students planning to transfer after graduation should consult the catalog of the college where they intend to complete their studies and enroll in courses which will meet transfer requirements.

Students should (both during and after their education) expose themselves to ASL and the Deaf Community.

Students who complete the ASL/IE degree requirements should be able to:

• Understand and express ASL messages that incorporate statements, questions, spatial locations, classifiers, conditionals, rhetorical questions and idioms
• Identify and use various linguistical structures of ASL including the parameters (I.E. hand shape, location, movement) of signs
• Use and respond to facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal cues in ASL
• Incorporate fingerspelling appropriately in a message
• Define terms in the field of deafness and Deaf Culture
• Discuss historical, social, political, recreational, medical, educational, and linguistical issues that affect individuals who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Give examples of geographical, generational, ethnic, and gender differences in ASL
• State the Code of Ethics as delineated by the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf (RID), act in accordance with them, and persuasively discuss ethical issues that arise within the profession
• Apply an understanding of interpreting in various settings and fields such as education, mental health, medicine, law, social services and with varied clientele including individuals who are deaf and blind
• Interpret ASL messages into spoken English
• Interpret spoken English messages into ASL

ADVISING FORM for AA.ASL/IE for Part-time Students

Prerequisites:

    ENG 101 College Composition I
    (prior to or concurrent with ASL 101 and ASL 103)