American Sign Language (ASL)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


ASL 101. American Sign Language 13 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Summer

Fee: An additional $25.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Discover fundamental elements of American Sign Language (ASL) used by the Deaf Community, including basic vocabulary, syntax, fingerspelling, and grammatical non-manual signals. Begin to develop communicative competence and gestural skills as a foundation for ASL enhancement. Expand your cultural knowledge and increase your understanding of the Deaf Community.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 102. American Sign Language 23 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): ASL 101.

Fee: An additional $25.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Explore more fundamental elements of American Sign Language (ASL) as you continue to develop and improve your understanding of conversational ASL and the cultural features of the language and community.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 115. Introduction to Deaf Culture - SB, D13 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: An overview of the culture of Deaf individuals and communities in the United States. Explore the ways in which hearing loss and the Deaf identity impact the lived experiences of Deaf individuals and communities focusing on linguistic, cognitive, social, and emotional factors. Compare and contrast Deaf culture in the United States with the U.S. culture of non-Deaf people.

Note: Cross-listed with ITP 115.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 201. American Sign Language 33 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Summer

Prerequisite(s): ASL 102.

Fee: An additional $25.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Continue to develop your communicative competency through expansion of expressive and receptive ASL skills. Deepen your understanding of the cultural features of the language and community.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 202. American Sign Language 43 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): ASL 201.

Fee: An additional $25.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Expand your ability to communicate in ASL by further developing expressive and receptive ASL skills. Further deepen your understanding of the cultural features of the language and community.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 204. American Sign Language IV for Majors3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: Prerequisites or corequisites: ITP 220 This course is for interpreting majors only. It focuses on development of advanced expressive and receptive ASL skills and cultural features of the language and community. Creative use of expression, classifiers, body posture and signing space will be practiced. Students enrolled in this course must also be enrolled in ITP 220 unless waived with instructor approval.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 205. Accelerated American Sign Language III & IV6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): ASL 102 with a minimum grade of B, or permission of instructor.

Fee: An additional $50.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Allows students to complete American Sign Language III and American Sign Language IV in one semester. The course focuses on advanced expressive and receptive skills while building an understanding of the cultural context.

Note: Recommended for intended majors.
Note: Clinical hours required.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 213. Special Topics in American Sign Language1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

Description: Presentation of course material of a timely, specialized, or topical nature.

Note: Specific course orientation will appear beside title.
Note: May be retaken to a maximum of six hours if subject matter is different each time.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 301. American Sign Language Classifiers3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ASL 202 and approved ASLIS major or Deaf studies minor.

Fee: An additional $25.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Develop advanced expressive and receptive ASL skills through the study and practice of classifiers, handshapes used to represent a noun, and provide more information on its movement, location or shape.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 302. American Sign Language Literature3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): ASL 301 and approved ASLIS major or Deaf studies minor.

Fee: An additional $25.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Explore various genres in ASL (American Sign Language) literature ranging from ABC stories, poetry, visual vernacular (VV), personal narratives, numbers stories, and more. Analyze themes and stylistic techniques of works by various ASL literary artists.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 305. Accelerated American Sign Language V & VI6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): ASL 102 with a minimum grade of B, or permission of instructor.

Fee: An additional $50.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Allows students to complete American Sign Language III and American Sign Language IV in one semester. The course focuses on advanced expressive and receptive skills while building an understanding of the cultural context.

Note: Recommended for intended majors.
Note: Clinical hours required.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 400. American Sign Language Presentation Techniques3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ASL 302 and approved ASLIS major or Deaf Studies minor.

Description: Develop advanced expressive and receptive ASL skills through a focus on production, presentation and fluency.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ASL 405. Advanced American Sign Language2 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): ASL 400 and approved ASLIS major.

Corequisite(s): ITP 495.

Description: Practice and refine advanced ASL discourse skills including interviewing techniques, answering complex multi-step questions, and storytelling for diverse audiences.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes