American Sign Language
ASL is offered at all five of our campuses and through the Center for World Languages.
American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the fastest growing languages in U.S. higher education and is now the third most-commonly studied language behind French and Spanish. At Five Colleges, ASL is offered through a partnership between the Five College Center for World Languages, the UMass Amherst Department of Communication Disorders, and the four member colleges. Students who complete the introductory and intermediate course sequence at UMass then apply to continue their studies through the Center's ASL program.
Spring 2023 Course Offerings
ASL II (UMass COMM-DIS 120)
In spring 2023, two sections of ASL II are being offered by the UMass Amherst Department of Communication Disorders. Half of the seats are reserved for Five College (non-UMass) students.
Prerequisite: COMM-DIS 110 (ASL I) or the equivalent
Credits: 3
Meeting times:
Monday-Wednesday 2:30-3:45PM
- Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith students - Register for COMM-DIS 120-01 (schedule #59674) through Five College interchange on your home campus
- UMass students - Register for COMM-DIS 120-02 (schedule #59676) through SPIRE
- UMass COMM-DIS majors - Register for COMM-DIS 120-05 (schedule #68777) through SPIRE
Monday-Wednesday 4:00-5:15PM
- Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith students - Register for COMM-DIS 120-03 (schedule #59677) through Five College interchange on your home campus
- UMass students - Register for COMM-DIS 120-04 (schedule #59678) through SPIRE
- UMass COMM-DIS majors - Register for COMM-DIS 120-06 (schedule #68779) through SPIRE
ASL IV (UMass COMM-DIS 290C)
In spring 2023, one section of ASL IV is being offered by the UMass Amherst Department of Communication Disorders. Half of the seats are reserved for Five College (non-UMass) students.
Prerequisite: COMM-DIS 290B (ASL III) or the equivalent
Credits: 3
Meeting times:
Monday-Wednesday-Friday 1:25-2:15PM
- Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith students - Register for COMM-DIS 290C-01 (schedule #59679) through Five College interchange on your home campus
- UMass students - Register for COMM-DIS 290C-02 (schedule #59680) through SPIRE
Advanced ASL B (UMass FORLANGC 197SV)
Advanced ASL B, offered through the Five College Center for World Languages, introduces students to ASL literature, including ASL poetry. Students will meet for a weekly 75-minute small group session with the language mentor. Students will be expected to devote an additional one hour a day to homework and individual practice. Students will also be encouraged to study in small groups and find ways to use the language informally through other channels.
Prerequisite: Advanced ASL A (UMass FORLANGC 197SF) or the equivalent.
Credits: 1.5
Meeting times: Thursday 2:30-3:45PM
Registration: Email fmlp2@umass.edu for information on how to register.
Fall 2023 Course Offerings
We anticipate the following American Sign Language courses will be offered in Fall 2023. More details will be added during pre-registration.
ASL I (UMass COMM-DIS 120)
In fall 2023, two sections of ASL I will be offered by the UMass Amherst Department of Communication Disorders. Half of the seats are reserved for Five College (non-UMass) students.
Prerequisite: COMM-DIS 110 (ASL I) or the equivalent
Credits: 3
Meeting times: TBD
ASL III (UMass COMM-DIS 290B)
In fall 2023, one section of ASL III is being offered by the UMass Amherst Department of Communication Disorders. Half of the seats are reserved for Five College (non-UMass) students.
Prerequisite: COMM-DIS 120 (ASL II) or the equivalent
Credits: 3
Meeting times: TBD
Advanced ASL A (UMass FORLANGC 197SF)
Advanced ASL A, offered through the Five College Center for World Languages, introduces students to ASL literature, including ASL poetry. Students will meet for a weekly 75-minute small group session with the language mentor. Students will be expected to devote an additional one hour a day to homework and individual practice. Students will also be encouraged to study in small groups and find ways to use the language informally through other channels.
Prerequisite: UMass COMM-DIS 290C (ASL IV) or the equivalent.
Credits: 1.5
Meeting times: TBD
Registration: Email fmlp2@umass.edu for information on how to register.
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