“Our interest was piqued after learning that the ASL house course led by the student club leaders filled within hours after opening on Duke Hub in the fall,” said Luciana Fellin, chair of the council. “Each Tuesday evening, registered and overenrolled students participate in the course even without receiving credit. This speaks to the passion and engagement of our students and to their interests.”

At Monday's session on Abele Quad, about two dozen students and community members followed the lead of students Lily Elman and Emma Runia (pictured top) as they introduced basic ASL phrases and grammar.

In addition to the lessons, the students organized film showings including the Oscar-winning “CODA,” and a talk by Swarthmore professor Donna Jo Napoli, a linguist and scholar of sign languages.