American Sign Language
8 courses · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
ASL 111 American Sign Language I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This beginning course, taught within the context of deaf culture, introduces students to signing and comprehending elementary American Sign Language (ASL). Through a visual-gestural approach and multimedia activities, students develop basic vocabulary and grammar that deal with everyday topics. Note: This course is comparable to two years of high school sign language.
ASL 112 American Sign Language II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 111 with a minimum grade of C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a continuation of the study of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture. Focusing on ASL structure and grammar used by native signers, students will develop fluency at the intermediate level. Students will immerse themselves into Deaf culture, including art and theater, to learn about the values, norms, behaviors, and social expectations in Deaf communities; analyze the early education systems for the Deaf; and identify cultural and linguistic traits in the Deaf community. Note: The prerequisite for this course is comparable to two years of high school sign language.
ASL 113 American Sign Language III
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 112 with a minimum grade of C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a continuation of the study of American Sign Language (ASL) II and Deaf culture. This intermediate course builds upon skills developed in ASL 1 and 2. Students will expand their expressive and receptive skills in American Sign Language through storytelling, dialogues, and presentations. A strong emphasis is placed on the cultural, historical, artistic, and literary aspects of the Deaf community in the United States and globally. Students will explore the values, social norms, and historical struggles of the Deaf community, engaging in critical analysis of Deaf literature, film, activism, and visual art. The course fosters cultural comparison and humanistic inquiry within and across communities.
ASL 114 American Sign Language IV
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 113 with a minimum grade of C
- Formerly
- SLAN 114
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course, taught within the context of Deaf culture, is a continuation of the study of American Sign Language (ASL) III. Further study of conversational and narrative techniques for advanced practice will help students develop language fluency at the advanced level. This course provides an expanded review of ASL vocabulary, syntactical structures, grammatical patterns and current linguistic research.
ASL 130 Deaf Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- SLAN 130
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed to explore the anthropologic, political, and linguistic aspects of the culture of the Deaf. Discussion and topics will provide the student with an understanding of the issues of being a Deaf individual in a hearing world and trends of the Deaf culture.
ASL 232 American Sign Language and English Interpreting I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture/3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ASL 113
- Corequisite
- ASL 114
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Formerly
- SLAN 232
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to bring students to a beginning level of fluency for general interpreting and transliterating situations. The focus will be on both consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting for both American Sign Language (ASL) to English and English to American Sign Language (ASL). It will also explore the professional Code of Conduct and preparation toward systems of evaluation and certification. In addition, it will include topics such as the history of the interpreting profession, terminology, business practices, and relevant organizations.
ASL 234 American Sign Language and English Interpreting II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture/3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ASL 232 with a minimum grade of C
- Formerly
- SLAN 234
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a continuation of interpreting from English to American Sign Language and from American Sign Language to English. It provides intermediate knowledge and skills development in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. Topics include continued study of discourse analysis, cognitive skills development, ethical and cultural considerations, and study of linguistic and cultural mediation for dynamic equivalency of the message in both languages.
ASL 236 American Sign Language and Interpreting III
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture/3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ASL 234 with a minimum grade of C
- Formerly
- SLAN 236
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a continuation of interpreting from English to American Sign Language and from American Sign Language to English. It provides advanced knowledge and skills development in simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. Topics include continued study of discourse analysis, cognitive skills development, ethical and cultural considerations and study of linguistic and cultural mediation for dynamic equivalency of the message in both languages. Some out-of-classroom practicum hours will be required to successfully satisfy the course requirement.