Our program teaches the knowledge and skills of American Sign Language, Deaf culture and history, Deaf education and the interpreting profession.
The Deaf Studies curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills of American Sign Language (ASL). It also focuses on the uniqueness of ASL as a language and on the the Deaf culture; on the history of the Deaf Community; on Deaf educational practices and on the Interpreting profession. The curriculum is designed to assist students in determining which area of Deaf Studies to enter or to aide them in the area they are currently pursuing.
Deaf Studies courses and American Sign Language can be used to:
- meet personal needs in communicating with deaf people
- learn about the social, historical, educational and cultural aspects of the Deaf
- prepare to enter the field of Deaf education
- provide added skills in the fields of counseling, psychology, speech therapy, audiology, nursing, business and education
- assist law enforcement officers, fire fighters and emergency medical technicians and satisfies the bilingual requirement
- meet the foreign language requirement at most high schools and colleges, including the CSU and UC systems
- meet the learning style of visual/ tactile learners, who may more easily grasp the American Sign Language concepts
- prepare for an interpreter training program
- meet the Humanities General Education requirement for a Bachelor’s degree in the CSU and UC systems
- transfer to a BA program in Deaf Studies
The Deaf Studies Program at Sierra College offers a full range of courses, from beginning to advanced. Students with no knowledge or skill in sign language can enroll in beginning ASL / DFST 1.
Our goal is to provide quality instruction for students taking ASL as a foreign language and students seeking careers in Deaf Education, Interpreting, Counseling, Audiology and Speech Therapy. The Deaf Studies curriculum provides students with the foundation needed to continue their education at a higher-level institution.
The Deaf Studies program offers many different experiences, including:
- Guest speakers such as author Dr. Angel Ramos and Deaf FBI agent Sue Thomas
- Workshops to improve ASL skills
- Deaf culture field trips
- ASL Club benefits like fun monthly gatherings, graduation parties, t-shirts and more
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
A.A. DEGREE and/or CERTIFICATE
The Deaf Studies program offers courses leading to a certificate as well as an Associate in Arts degree. The Deaf Studies: American Sign Language degree program is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year baccalaureate program as a Deaf Studies major. The degree and certificate program helps develop Sign Language skills fluent enough to communicate as skilled signers for personal or work-related use. Students must fulfill major requirements and all Associate Degree Requirements for the A.A. degree.
Deaf Studies Courses
- DFST 1 - American Sign Language I
- DFST 2 - American Sign Language II
- DFST 3 - American Sign Language III
- DFST 4 - American Sign Language IV
- DFST 5 - Introduction To American Deaf History And Culture
- DFST 6 - Introduction To Deaf Education
- DFST 7 - Principles Of Sign Language Interpreting
- DFST 8 - Creative Sign
- DFST 9A - Numbers And Fingerspelling
- DFST 9B - Classifiers In ASL
- DFST 28 - Independent Study
- DFST 95 - Internship In Deaf Studies
- DFST 300 - Selected Topics In Deaf Studies
See Catalog for a more detailed description of the degree and certificate programs.
For more information, contact the Sierra College Counseling Department at (916) 660-7400.
DIVISION OFFICE: W 107
LIAISON COUNSELORS: S. Bramlett, V. Rogers, V. Skeels