Petition Requesting American Sign Language Courses at Indiana State University

Petition Requesting American Sign Language Courses at Indiana State University

            American Sign Language (ASL) is a complex, nonverbal system of communication primarily used by the deaf and hard of hearing in the United States and Canada.   It is the third most commonly used language in the United States.   In ASL, people must use palm orientations, handshapes, body language, and facial expressions to communicate thoughts and ideas.   Since ASL has its own unique syntax and grammar, linguists categorize ASL as a language in and of itself.

            Currently, there is no American Sign Language course offered on campus which can be applied towards Foreign Language credits.

The state of Indiana recognizes American Sign Language as an independent, standard, and foreign language.   Major universities in Indiana, including Purdue University, Ball State University, and Indiana University, offer ASL courses which fulfill Foreign Language requirements.   Indiana State University should also offer its students the opportunity to learn this complex, visual foreign language.  

            As such, we, the undersigned students of Indiana State University, request Indiana State University offer American Sign Language (ASL) courses to its students, which would lead to fulfillment of the Foreign Language requirements in General Education.   

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