ASL Performance Minor

Overview for ASL Performance Minor

The ASL performance minor focuses on forms of creative expression that are unique to Deaf communities and signed language. You will develop conceptual, analytical, and artistic skills through analysis and practice. Given that this minor focuses on the study and use of sign language in a performance environment, a minimum score of 3 on the ASL placement exam; or successful completion of Intermediate Sign Language I (MLAS-301), American Sign Language III (INTP-126), NTID American Sign Language II (NASL-200), or equivalent course; or department permission is required for admission to the minor. Instruction is in ASL and voice interpreters will not be provided.

Notes about this minor:

Posting of the minor on the student's academic transcript requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the minor.
Notations may appear in the curriculum chart below outlining pre-requisites, co-requisites, and other curriculum requirements (see footnotes).

The plan code for ASL Performance Minor is ASLPERF-MN.

Curriculum for 2023-2024 for ASL Performance Minor

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

View Printable Curriculum

Course
Required Courses
PRFN-214	Appreciation of Artistic Sign Language This course fosters the understanding and appreciation of artistic sign language for theater, film, television, and video productions. Topics considered include the relationship between script and translation, principles of artistic sign language for stage vs. film/television, integrating Deaf and hearing performance, and accessibility advocacy. Assignments include critiques of artistic sign language in various genres from the director of artistic sign language (DASL) perspective. Due to the nature of this subject, instruction is in ASL and voice interpreters will not be provided. (Prerequisites: MLAS-301 or INTP-126 or NASL-200 or equivalent course or a minimum score of 3 on the ASL placement exam.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
PRFN-218	Theatre Practicum This course applies technical, performing, script analysis, stage management, and other skills to an actual theatrical production. Students contract with a department mentor for responsibilities and the appropriate credit expectations. In addition to production responsibilities, students are expected to complete reading and writing assignments connected to the production. This course is repeatable for credit. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Lec/Lab (Fall, Spring).
PRFN-413	History of Deaf Performance A study of Deaf performance in the United States from its earliest documented forms to the present. Topics covered include storytelling, visual vernacular, ASL poetry, ASL music, Dip Hop, principles of artistic sign language, the development of the National Theatre of the Deaf, and the history of integrated Deaf/hearing theatre. In addition to assigned readings, students will view and analyze a wide variety of Deaf performance artifacts. Due to the nature of this subject, instruction is in ASL and voice interpreters will not be provided. (Prerequisites: MLAS-301 or INTP-126 or NASL-200 or equivalent course or a minimum score of 3 on the ASL placement exam.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Deaf Electives
Choose one of the following:
NHSS-251	Deaf Culture and Contemporary Civilization This course is intended to provide students with an understanding of contemporary civilization and how it affects Deaf people’s lives. Students will learn key influences and develop an understanding of their impact on Deaf people via the topics of language, psychology, history, bioethics and human rights. Students will study a variety of social and cultural groups in order to understand the value of Deaf people in contemporary civilization. (Students in AOS or CARPRP-UND are not eligible to take this course.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
NHSS-275	Visual Expression of Deaf Culture This course introduces students to Deaf Cultural Studies using stories about the Deaf experience. Students will interpret works in visual art, film, performing arts, and literature (ASL and English). Students will learn how historical/social/political and intersectional context, Deaf cultural values, and themes and symbols influence our interpretation of these creative works. Finally, the importance of collective memories for preserving Deaf cultural norms/values and promoting social justice will be addressed. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
HIST-230	American Deaf History This course explores the history of the deaf community in the United States. It offers a broad survey of American deaf history from the early 19th century to the late 20th century. Major events in American deaf history will be considered, including the foundation of schools for the deaf, the birth of American Sign Language, the emergence of deaf culture, the challenge of oralism, the threat of eugenics, and the fight for civil rights. Lecture 3 (Spring).
SOCI-240	Deaf Culture in America This course is an introductory survey of Deaf culture in the United States. Students will study the scholarly literature pertaining to various social groups in the Deaf community and have contact with their members. This course will familiarize students with the characteristics of Deaf Culture, as well as general perceptions of the Deaf community within the dominant mainstream society. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
Electives
Choose six credits of the following:*
PRFN-111	Sign Mime, Creative Movement, and Visual Theatre This course expands students’ understanding of the use of physical space through creative movement strategies. These are supplemented by images, gesture, and sign representation of story elements. Techniques developed from visual theatre practices are studied. Through active participation, students learn the language of movement, mime and visual theatre. Ensemble work based on performance standards, character creation, and theme development is emphasized. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
PRFN-199	Independent Study: Performing Arts The description will be specified on each Independent Study Contract. Ind Study (Fa/sp/su).
PRFN-211	Acting with Physical Expression This course introduces students to the actor's craft, process, and technique. Major performance methods are introduced in both physical approaches to acting (Grotowski, Delsarte, Alexander technique, multi-cultural methods from African Griot to Japanese Noh) and psychological approaches (Stanislavsky, Meisner, Hagan, Strasberg). Foundation skills in translation, memorization, stage combat, mask, and mime prepare the student upper-level performance courses. Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring).
PRFN-218	Theatre Practicum This course applies technical, performing, script analysis, stage management, and other skills to an actual theatrical production. Students contract with a department mentor for responsibilities and the appropriate credit expectations. In addition to production responsibilities, students are expected to complete reading and writing assignments connected to the production. This course is repeatable for credit. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Lec/Lab (Fall, Spring).
PRFN-219	Seminar in Performing Arts This course gives students the opportunity for focused, in-depth study of a selected advanced topic in theatre, using seminar and workshop approaches. Specific topics vary from semester to semester, and address such areas as methods of acting, playwriting, production design, systems of analysis, genres of dance, translation, and historical influences on theatre art. This course is repeatable for credit. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
PRFN-289	Special Topics: Performing Arts The description will be specified in each Special Topic Documentation Form. Lecture (Fall, Spring).
PRFN-314	ASL Musicality If music is creative and artistic expression via sounds, then what is sign language music? This course explores how music can be expressed through visual equivalents of musical elements such as harmony, melody, and timbre. It also explores musicality, the emotional and artistic qualities of music, in sign language. Other topics covered include the use of sign language poetics in visual musical performance, aesthetic considerations, and the history of music by Deaf artists, ASL music videos, and musical theatre in ASL. In addition to assigned readings, students will view and analyze a wide variety of music performance in ASL with and without sound. Due to the nature of this subject, instruction is in ASL and voice interpreters will not be provided. (Prerequisites: PRFN-214 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
PRFN-414	Theatrical Translation This course examines theoretical and dramaturgical issues specific to translating written English plays into ASL. Students will consider how linguistic translation of a text intended for performance is shaped by the context of its enactment and reception by the audience, as well as by the cultural, social, aesthetic, political, economic, and ethical aspects of translation. Principles of artistic sign language will be reviewed and applied by analyzing production recordings and live theater performances. Students will also translate short plays collaboratively and individually. Due to the nature of this subject, instruction is in ASL and voice interpreters will not be provided. (Prerequisites: PRFN-214 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
MLAS-352	American Sign Language Literature In this course, students will explore a wide range of literary works representing the various genres of ASL literature. Students will be expected to analyze works in terms of literary conventions/techniques as well as relevant cultural symbols and themes. Attention will be given to historical context, Deaf cultural values, and the style/conventions used by individual literary artists. Each student will be required to complete literary analysis papers. In addition, students will be expected to create original ASL literary works and/or retell well-known ASL literary works as individuals or in collaboration with other students. This course is requires fluency in ASL, as instruction is conducted in ASL, without an interpreter, and will require considerable reading and viewing of videotaped materials. Seminar (Fall).

* At least one of the electives taken must be 300-level or higher.