American Sign Language
24 courses · Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
ASL 97 Topics in American Sign Language
- Units
- 0.5-4
- Hours
- 0.50-4.00 hours lecture, 1.50-12.00 hours lab
The course objectives will depend on the specific topic covered. A set of objectives will be developed for each topic class and included in an outline developed by the instructor. See Class Schedule for specific topic offered. Course title will designate subject covered.
ASL 100 American Sign Language I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the practice and use of American Sign Language. Students will learn basic vocabulary and grammatical structure of American Sign Language and Deaf culture as used in the American Deaf community.
ASL 100L American Sign Language I (Lab)
- Units
- 0.5-1
- Hours
- 1.50-3.00 hours lab
Individualized program intended for students who wish to practice, use, and improve their beginning ASL skills. Video, software, and workbooks in the American Sign Language/English Interpreting Lab can help students improve understanding of basic ASL sentences and stories. Through the use of video recording equipment, students will have the opportunity to practice expressive signing skills. Lab activities are designed to provide students the opportunity to practice vocabulary and syntax taught in ASL 100.
ASL 101 American Sign Language II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 100
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is the second semester of American Sign Language. This elementary level course is a study of the American Sign Language as it is used in the Deaf community and American Deaf culture, with continued emphasis on the development of communicative skills and basic structures.
ASL 101L American Sign Language II (Lab)
- Units
- 0.5-1
- Hours
- 1.50-3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized program intended for students who wish to practice, use, and improve advanced-beginning ASL skills. Video, software, and workbooks in the American Sign Language-English Interpreting Lab can help students improve understanding of basic ASL sentences and stories. Through the use of video recording equipment, students will have the opportunity to practice expressive signing skills. Lab activities are designed to provide students the opportunity to practice vocabulary and syntax taught in ASL 101.
ASL 105 Fingerspelling and Number Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to the American Manual alphabet (fingerspelling), including numbers, loan signs, acronyms and abbreviations commonly used in the Deaf community. Extensive drills and practice in both expressive and receptive skills.
ASL 110 Awareness of Deaf Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An introduction to American Deaf Culture, the history, the community, and the language. Deaf cultural values, characteristics, and dynamics will be discussed as well as issues related to minority dynamics, the double/multiple minority experience, including but not limited to, Deaf African-Americans, Deaf Latinas/Latinos, Deaf Women, Deaf gays/lesbians, Deaf-blind, Deaf senior citizens, and the multiple combinations of these. Organizations and individual perceptions of self in relation to group identity, along with political views as examined through articles, books, and videotaped interviews will be studied.
ASL 115 Perspectives on Deafness
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
A general orientation to the Deaf community with an overview of the historical, linguistic, philosophical, psychological, educational and social aspects of the Deaf.
ASL 197 Topics in American Sign Language
- Units
- 0.5-4
- Hours
- 0.50-4.00 hours lecture, 1.50-12.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Topics in American Sign Language. See class schedule for specific topic covered. Course title will designate subject covered.
ASL 205 American Sign Language III
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will continue to develop ASL communication skills to participate in signed interactions using vocabulary and grammar appropriate to third semester language learning. This class will immerse students in a conversation-focused environment where they can safely practice culturally appropriate means of ensuring communication access for all. ASL is the primary language of instruction.
ASL 205L American Sign Language III (Lab)
- Units
- 0.5-1
- Hours
- 1.50-3.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ASL 101
Lab activities are designed to provide students with the opportunity to practice, use, and improve vocabulary and syntax taught in ASL 205. Through the use of video recording equipment, students will have the opportunity to practice expressive signing skills and improve their understanding of intermediate ASL sentences and stories.
ASL 206 American Sign Language IV
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 205
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This class focuses on advanced language, phrasing, and communication skills in American Sign Language along with continued development of Deaf cultural awareness and cross-cultural functionality. Students will adhere to Deaf cultural values and communication norms to negotiate signing environments. Eye contact when signing with a partner is critical. In addition to activities and conversation practice, students can use technology and workbooks to demonstrate and assess use of basic ASL grammar. Class activities are designed to provide students the opportunity to practice vocabulary and grammar taught in ASL 205 while adhering to Deaf communication norms. At this level, students will practice interactions with peers as well as with the teacher or members of the Deaf community. Students will be introduced to the features important for more formal presentations of narratives or short expository explanations that compare, contrast, and/or explain issues.
ASL 206L American Sign Language IV (Lab)
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lab
This course is the fourth semester of American Sign Language. This advanced level course is a study of American Sign Language as it is used in the Deaf community and American Deaf culture, with continued emphasis on the development of advanced communicative skills and grammatical structures.
ASL 208 Interpreting as a Profession
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 206
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to develop insights about the profession of interpreting. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to, the history of the field, cross-cultural dynamics, national testing standards, preparation for certification, and knowledge of situational and professional ethics.
ASL 210 Discourse Analysis
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 206 Corequisite (Course required to be taken concurrently): ASL 210L Prerequisite: (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): ASL 110 Recommended Preparation: ASL 115 and ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E or ESL 110
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to perform ASL-English translation and interpreting tasks. Emphasis will be on developing proficiencies of professional discourse and analysis of both American Sign Language and English discourse in a variety of registers. Through evidence-based analysis of ASL and English texts and/or ASL-English translations, the effectiveness of interpreting work samples will be evaluated using terminology conventional within the interpreting profession. Primary language of instruction for class lectures and discussion will be ASL.
ASL 210L Discourse Analysis Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ASL 206
- Transfers to
- CSU
The ability to interact professionally and demonstrate effective presentation skills in all working languages is fundamental to effective translation and interpretation. Media available on campus and online will enable students to develop proficiencies in ASL and in English. In this course, students will utilize technology to create accessible videos and to analyze linguistic features of discourse in ASL and/or in English.
ASL 211 Interpreting II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 210 and Corequisite (Course required to be taken concurrently): ASL 211L and Prerequisite: (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): ASL 110 and Recommended Preparation: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E or ESL 110 and ASL 208
- Transfers to
- CSU
Designed to improve student ability to perform the components involved in the process of interpreting as learned in Interpreting I. Primary emphasis is placed on the development of cognitive and linguistic skills, consecutive interpretation, and interpretation of interactive video dialogues between Deaf and hearing people. Skills learned will be applied to basic simultaneous interpreting tasks. Further development of language fluency in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English should occur as a result of this course, as instruction will occur in both languages.
ASL 211L Interpreting II Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Utilize technology and community resources to develop beginning-intermediate interpreting skills, American Sign Language and/or English language proficiencies, and understanding of and respect for Deaf cultural values.
ASL 215 Interpreting III
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 211 Corequisite (Course required to be taken concurrently): ASL 215L Recommended Preparation: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E or ESL 110 and ASL 220
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a continuation of Interpreting II. Primary emphasis is placed on the development of simultaneous ASL/English interpreting/transliterating tasks. Further development of language fluency in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English should occur as a result of this course. Development of multi-tasking skills enables students to begin interpreting more complex discourse such as that in a higher register or of substantive cognitive-academic content. Students are expected to have attained a reasonable level of competency in both ASL and English in order to have access to class lectures and participate fully in class discussions and activities, as instruction will occur in both languages.
ASL 215L Interpreting III Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Utilize technology and community resources to develop beginning-intermediate interpreting skills, American Sign Language and/or English language proficiencies, and understanding of and respect for Deaf cultural values.
ASL 216 Interpreting IV
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ASL 215 Corequisite (Course required to be taken concurrently): ASL 298 Recommended Preparation: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E or ESL 110
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a continuation of Interpreting III. Emphasis is placed on the enhancement of simultaneous ASL/English interpreting of complex discourse through increased fluency, speed and accuracy. Students will improve equivalence between source and target language while performing simultaneous interpreting and/or transliterating tasks. Students are expected to have attained a reasonable level of competency in both ASL and English in order to have access to class lectures and participate fully in class discussions and activities, as instruction will occur in both languages.
ASL 216L Interpreting IV Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Utilize technology and community resources to develop intermediate interpreting skills, American Sign Language and/or English language proficiencies, and understanding of and respect for Deaf cultural values. Emphasis is placed on the enhancement of simultaneous ASL/English interpreting of complex discourse through increased fluency, speed and accuracy. Students will improve equivalence between source and target language while performing simultaneous interpreting and/or transliterating tasks by making principled choices about meaning and impact.
ASL 220 Specialized Settings Of Interpreting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): ASL 206
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course discusses professional, ethical, technical, and logistical factors involved when interpreting between American Sign Language and spoken English in various settings. Specialized settings introduced in this course include: educational, mental health, legal, medical, social services, business, religious, platform, and performing arts. Telephone, Deaf-blind and oral interpreting will also be discussed. The primary language of instruction will be American Sign Language.
ASL 298 Fieldwork in Interpreting
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 4.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): ASL 216
- Transfers to
- CSU
The purpose of this course is for students to apply skills and knowledge gained from previous interpreting coursework to actual interpreting assignments. Students will begin interpreting or transliterating, with appropriate supervision and in appropriate situations, for actual assignments. Students will have opportunities to observe qualified working interpreters in a variety of settings. Community service and classroom seminar discussions on professional, ethical, technical and logistical aspects of interpreting will also be included in course content. Students must demonstrate adequate ASL to English and English to ASL performance on an exit exam.