Sign
6 courses · Golden West College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
SIGN G010 Fingerspelling
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours
Formerly: SIGN G290. This course introduces American Sign Language (ASL) and Interpreting students to the principles and techniques of the American manual alphabet. Expressive and receptive techniques will be emphasized.
SIGN G180 American Sign Language 1
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an entry-level course in American Sign Language (ASL) introducing students to the basic features of the language with an emphasis on grammar, syntax, semantics, vocabulary development, fingerspelling, receptive skills, expressive skills. Included are basic knowledge of Deaf cultural pragmatics, and general information of American Deaf history. This course is equivalent to two years of high school ASL.
SIGN G185 American Sign Language 2
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- SIGN G180 or 2 years of high school American Sign Language.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a continuation of American Sign Language 1. Designed to build on the basic features of the language with an increased development on grammar, syntax, semantics, vocabulary development, fingerspelling, receptive skills, expressive skills, and Deaf cultural pragmatics. General information of American Deaf history and culture is included. This course is equivalent to two years of high school ASL.
SIGN G200 Deaf Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides an in-depth exploration of American Deaf culture, its relationship to language, and Deaf ways of being. Discussions of American Deaf culture include evolving definitions of D/deafness, Deafhood, language use, education, heritage, norms, values, art, folklore, and societal, community, and familial-based relationships. Students will study American Deaf culture as a subculture within American society and its intersectional relationship with other American cultural identities. This course gives a holistic perspective of Deaf people, their contributions, dynamics, ideologies, and behavior through a historical and modern lens.
SIGN G280 American Sign Language 3
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours
- Advisory
- SIGN G185.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an intermediate-to-advanced level course in American Sign Language (ASL). Emphasis is on vocabulary aquisition and intermediate level grammar. Students will learn to incorporate temporal sequencing, reoccuring time signs, continuous time signs, when clauses, locatives, and advanced classifiers.
SIGN G285 American Sign Language 4
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours
- Advisory
- SIGN G280.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an advanced study of American Sign Language (ASL). Emphasis is on acquiring advanced vocabulary and using complex grammar. Students will learn the proper use of classifiers, narrative structure, and enumeration. Students develop expressive and receptive fluency in the context of Deaf culture and Deaf community.