Cornell University Registrar

Program Description

The American Sign Language (ASL)/Deaf Studies minor offers the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary course sequence focusing on American Sign Language and Deaf culture. The courses offered range across a variety of different disciplines, to provide a broad and compelling perspective on ASL and the Deaf community.

Academic Standards

Grade Requirements

Each course must be completed with a grade C- or better to count toward the minor.

Students may apply up to one course from study abroad programs, from another institution, or an independent study toward this minor.

Minor Declaration Information

A student must currently be taking or have completed ASL 1102 American Sign Language II to declare the minor.

Interested students should consult with the Linguistics Director of Undergraduate Studies, Helena Aparicio, 210 Morrill Hall.

Students who declare the minor will consult with either the Director of Undergraduate Studies or ASL/Deaf Studies Minor Advisor Brenda Schertz, 215 Morrill Hall, on the selection of courses appropriate to their academic objectives.

Program Information

• Minimum Credits for Minor: 18 

Minor Requirements

The American Sign Language (ASL)/Deaf Studies minor consists of five courses. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
ASL 2202	Intermediate American Sign Language II 1	4
ASL 2301	Modern Deaf Culture	3
LING 1101	Introduction to Linguistics 2	4
ASL/Deaf Studies Electives
Select a minimum of one course from the following:		3
ASL 3201	ASL Literature
ASL 3215	Deaf Art, Film and Theatre
ASL 4410	American Sign Language Linguistics
Interdisciplinary Electives
Select one of the following:		3-4
BSOC 2051	Ethical Issues in Health and Medicine
FGSS 4035	Intersectional Disability Studies
GOVT 3087	International Human Rights Law and Advocacy
ILRGL 4033	Disability Law
ILRGL 4360	Global Comparative Disability Policy
LING 2215	Psychology of Language
LING 2221	Language and Society
LING 2223	Language and the Law
LING 3344	Superlinguistics: Comics, Signs and Other Sequential Images
PHIL 2455	Introduction to Bioethics

¹

or proficiency at this level

²

Introduction to Linguistics is vital for an accurate understanding of the structure and function of ASL as a language like any other though in a different modality

Suggested Course Sequence for the ASL/Deaf Studies Minor

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall Semester		Hours
ASL 1101	American Sign Language I	4
	Hours	4
Spring Semester
ASL 1102	American Sign Language II	4
	Hours	4
Second Year
Fall Semester
ASL 2201 & LING 1101	Intermediate American Sign Language I and Introduction to Linguistics	8
	Hours	8
Spring Semester
ASL 2202 & ASL 2301	Intermediate American Sign Language II and Modern Deaf Culture	7
	Hours	7
Third Year
Fall Semester
ASL 2301	Modern Deaf Culture (Offered in the even numbered years)	3
	Hours	3
Spring Semester
ASL 3215	Deaf Art, Film and Theatre	3
	Hours	3
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Select one of the following: 1		3
ASL 4410	American Sign Language Linguistics (offered in the odd number years)
Elective
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	32

¹

Complete any courses if not able to take them earlier.