Sorry, but William Stokoe changed that way of thinking 50 years ago. ASL is a separate and complete language, with its own syntax, its own representations of concepts specific to those who rely on the visual for communication, markers specific to ASL, etc, etc, etc. It is a language that arose out of culture--culture is after all shared experience and language. The University where I am employed (and working on my graduate degree) does offer ASL as a foreign language, and many major universities do likewise.
I don't mean to be hurtful, either, but if you want some valid academic information regarding Deaf culture I would suggest you start with a book called "When the Mind Hears" by Harlan Lane. He also co-authored several more definitive works regarding Deaf culture. Another, more condensed volume that is a bit easier to read is a book by Oliver Sacks: "Seeing Voices."
Leave it to say, that it is generally accepted in academia that ASL in indeed a foreign language, and that Deaf culture does exist.
