Introduction to American Sign Language with emphasis on visual receptive and expressive use of language, as well as providing opportunities for other forms of visual communication such as facial expression, mime, and gesture. Participants develop their skills through videotapes, classroom participation, and readings that cover issues important to the Deaf community. A weekly, one-hour language laboratory is required as part of this course. Limited to 15 students. No credit if credit has been received for COMM 401 (previously COMM 533).

Continuation of ASL 531. Expands on the groundwork and grammatical principles established in ASL I, II, and III. Introduces the sociolinguistic aspects of ASL as it functions within the deaf cultural context. Areas of investigation include use of formal versus informal sign register; sign variation by region, age, and gender; social factors that give rise to code switching; and political and cultural evolution of the U.S. deaf community. Taught in the target language using the direct experience method. Limited to 15 students. Lab.

In this advanced course, students give two PowerPoint presentations on their research on two selected cutting-edge/current Deaf Studies topics, and are assessed on itemized public speaking skills, grammatical features (linguistics) studies that are a culmination of previous ASL courses, and pragmatic language functions. These presentations are to use high/academic register, appropriate for a large academic audience, demonstrating sensitive awareness of visual acuity and its impact on signing production. Lab.

This course presents an overview of the homeland security and emergency management field and enables students entering the profession or expanding their roles to function effectively given a broad array of emergency management issues. This course provides students with a broad view of issues that focus on policy considerations and align with the five National Preparedness System mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Students learn critical concepts such as the Department of Homeland Security all-hazards approach of emergency management, risk prevention, counter-terrorism, and consequence management and mitigation. This course takes a behavioral science risk-based approach, assessing capabilities and identifying gaps within existing emergency management programs. This approach is instrumental to planning future homeland security and emergency management programs, which facilitate our nation's ability to improve emergency management.