Linguistics, ASL Linguistics Concentration, B.A.

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The ASL Linguistics Concentration is intended for students interested in the ASL language, Deaf studies, and linguistics, and who are planning career paths other than interpreting that involve Deaf people and the Deaf community. This major brings together our unique focus on linguistics and our intensive curriculum in ASL and Deaf culture.

Program Requirements

Total number of credits required for the major: 43

Required Coursework

LIN 105 - Contrastive Analysis: ASL and English Credits: 3
LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 3
LIN 203 - Introduction to the Deaf World Credits: 3
LIN 310 - Signs of Language in the Brain Credits: 3
LIN 313 - Syntax Credits: 3
LIN 317 - Two Languages, One Mind: Introduction to Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism Credits: 3
ASL 201 - Intermediate American Sign Language I Credits: 4
ASL 202 - Intermediate American Sign Language II Credits: 4
ASL 401 - Advanced American Sign Language I Credits: 4
ASL 402 - Advanced American Sign Language II Credits: 4
ASL 415 - ASL Literature in ASL Credits: 3
or
ASL 417 - Deaf Art, Film, and Theatre in ASL Credits: 3
ASL 416 - ASL Linguistics in ASL Credits: 3
One three-credit 400-level LIN course (excluding courses focused on interpreting and excluding LIN 498 - Thesis ) or LIN 395 - Research Internship (research must focus on signed language)

Note on Language Component

Students pursuing the ASL Linguistics Concentration must have taken two semesters of ASL (ASL 101 and ASL 102 ) or have attained a level of proficiency equivalent to two semesters. These courses (or the equivalent) do not count as credit toward the major but are prerequisites to upper-level ASL courses.

Note on grade requirement for LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics

Students must receive a grade of B or higher in LIN 185 before enrolling in certain upper-level LIN courses, including LIN 313 - Syntax . LIN 185 may be repeated at most one time. Students for whom American Sign Language is their first language may consult with the department about alternative pathways for satisfying this requirement.

Honors for ASL Linguistics Concentration

Linguistics majors who do outstanding work in the major can graduate with honors in linguistics. Requirements for Honors for students majoring in the ASL Linguistics Concentration are the following:

Achieve a G.P.A. of at least 3.7 in LIN and ASL courses.
Complete LIN 490 - Introduction to Language Research with a grade of B or higher.
Complete LIN 498 - Thesis with a grade of A.

Notes on Core Curriculum Requirements

In addition to completing a major, students must satisfy USM’s Core Curriculum requirements and earn a total of at least 120 credits to graduate. The following information outlines core requirements that overlap with the major in Linguistics with a Concentration in ASL Linguistics or core courses recommended for students majoring in this concentration.

Quantitative Reasoning: Students must fulfill this requirement with a statistics or MAT course. One requirement for Honors in Linguistics is LIN 490 - Introduction to Language Research . This course has a statistics course (MAT 120 - Introduction to Statistics or PSY 201 - Statistics in Psychology ) as a prerequisite. Therefore, students should take a statistics course to meet this requirement if they are considering pursuing Honors in Linguistics. If not, students can take any MAT course in the Quantitative Reasoning category.

Cultural Interpretation: Each of ASL 101 - Beginning American Sign Language I , ASL 102 - Beginning American Sign Language II , ASL 201 - Intermediate American Sign Language I , and ASL 202 - Intermediate American Sign Language II (as well as other language courses at these levels) fulfills this core requirement.

Socio-Cultural Analysis: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics and LIN 203 - Introduction to the Deaf World meet this requirement.

Science Exploration: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics meets this requirement if LIN 186 - Introduction to Linguistics: Lab (the one-credit lab associated with LIN 185 ) is taken as well.

Culture, Power, and Equity: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics and LIN 203 - Introduction to the Deaf World also meet this requirement.

Engaged Learning: ASL 201 - Intermediate American Sign Language I , ASL 202 - Intermediate American Sign Language II , ASL 401 - Advanced American Sign Language I , and ASL 402 - Advanced American Sign Language II meet this requirement.

Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3: LIN 317 - Two Languages, One Mind: Introduction to Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism meets this requirement.

Capstone: ASL 416 - ASL Linguistics in ASL in ASL is a capstone course.

Several linguistics or language courses that are not required for the major fulfill core requirements:

International: LIN 112 - The Birth of a Language , FRE 202 - Intermediate French II , GER 202 - Intermediate German II , ITA 202 - Intermediate Italian II , SPA 202 - Intermediate Spanish II

Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: LIN 410 - Ethical Decision Making in ASL/English Interpreting (Note: Students who have not taken ASL or interpreting courses can request permission from the Department to take this course, if they demonstrate experience in an area involving ethical reasoning.)

USM Core Requirements

The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.