Seattle Central Community College______

Division of Business, Languages and Cultures

Course Syllabus

Course: ITP 216

Credits: 3

Class hours: Thursdays 9-11:50am

Prerequisites: Successful completion of ITP 260 or permission

Instructor: Dave Morrison

Office: BE 1125 Phone: 206-344-4353 Email:

Office hours: Mon & Wed: 3 – 6 pm or by appointment

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to specialized settings within the field of interpreting. It covers general issues, ethical considerations and basic vocabulary relating to specific professional areas of interpreting. This quarter, the focus will be on: Drugs (including AA/12 step info), Sexual signs, Medical interpreting, idioms and educational interpreting (including signs for computers, math, science, etc).

Class structure:

The format of the class will be workshop format. Therefore, it is crucial each student completes the readings BEFORE class and comes prepared to discuss those issues they do not understand. It is IMPERATIVE students participate fully in the class by sharing their ideas, suggestions and thoughts.

Student Outcomes:

By the end of the quarter, you will have an understanding of the basic vocabulary and behaviors to interpret in a variety of settings.

Teaching Philosophy:

Learning new skills is like a daunting journey; no matter how prepared we THINK we are, we often are not prepared for the feelings of fear, anxiety and inadequacies this learning may cause. But I believe the process of learning becomes easier if we learn in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. Through the quarter let us all learn the unique skills this field requires, while conquering our fears with the power of humor, compassion and dedication.

A BIT ABOUT INTERPRETING:

Interpreting is a mentally demanding field. Remember your brain needs time and training to put the pieces of this puzzle together. During the course of your study in the ITP, give yourself this time. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Strive to be thorough and totally engaged in learning. You each have gifts to bring to the profession. Be open to feedback. The pieces of the puzzle come together in different ways and at different speeds for students. Spend your energy on improving one day at a time and not on comparing yourself to another student.

Above all, remember that as an interpreter, you walk into people’s private lives. Continue to spend as much time as possible in the Deaf community, meeting its members, learning the culture and the language. This shows respect.

Required Texts:

Best Practices in Educational Interpreting by Brenda Chafin Seal.
You will also need to purchase a packet of articles from the copy center.

Signs of Sexual Behavior by Woodward

Signs of Drug Use by Woodward

Required Materials:

A 3-ring binder to hold articles, handouts and notes.

2 VHS tapes

2 audio cassettes

Assignments and Grades:

1. You are required to write a research paper on an area of interest in the field; such as Mental Health interpreting, Legal Interpreting, Deaf-Blind Interpreting, etc. Paper is due Thursday, March 6, 2008 NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED! THIS DEADLINE IS FINAL. On Thursday, March 13th you will present A SUMMARY OF the paper to the class. This is worth 50 points. Grammar and spelling count. There is no ‘page’ specification, but it is recommended to be between 3 – 4 pages, DS, 12 point font.

2. You will have ‘pop’ (surprise) quizzes in both S-V and V-S. These are unannounced, vary in number of points and CANNOT BE MADE UP FOR ANY REASON.

3. You will be divided into two groups: the “A” group and the “B” group. Group “A” will test while group “B” works on their audios or videos and vice-versa. Each audio or video will be a SELF GENERATED STORY/PRESENTATION approximately 15 minutes long incorporating ANY of the specialized vocabulary we have studied in class. This will become the SL in order to practice your vocabulary in the TL. Because you are given class time to complete these, THE DEADLINES ARE FINAL. YOU WILL RECEIVE A ‘ZERO’ FOR EACH VIDEO NOT HANDED IN ON TIME.

Video #1: Due Jan. 24th

Video #2: Due Feb. 14th

Video #3: Due March 6

4. Tests will be graded “live”, so YOU MAY NOT MAKE UP A MISSED TEST. DON’T ASK. For valid emergencies or absences, you will be given the opportunity to take the final at the end of the quarter to replace the ‘zero’ given for the missed test.

Jan 22 & 24 – S-V – A group tests on the 22nd. B group tests on the 24th.

Feb 12 & 14 – S-V – B group tests on the 12th. B group tests on the 14th.

March 4 & 6 – V-S – A group tests on the 4th. B group tests on the 6th

5. Attendance: Total of 100 points. 5 points per class given for COMPLETE class attended and dressed appropriately to the profession. If you are not dressed appropriately or if you are over 5 minutes late, you will not be allowed to attend class and will be penalized accordingly.

6. Tutor: You are required to attend at LEAST five (5) hours of tutoring with the ITP Tutor. Please see him for sign up.

Grades:
Research paper : 50 points.
Tests: 100 points each

Videos: 100 each

Class participation: 100 (5 pts per class – 20 classes excluding holidays, tests, etc)

Tutor: 50 (10 per visit)

Attendance:

Attendance is mandatory and crucial in this course. You are allowed ONE missed class. For each class missed after that, you will LOOSE 10 POINTS PER CLASS. There is no way to make up for these classes so “excused” absences will be very rare.

Arriving late to class is disruptive and disrespectful to our guest lecturers. They volunteer their time to come here and are very busy professionals. Students are allowed one unexcused late arrival.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, have emergency medical information to share with me, or need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Sample grading sheet for S-V:

CLASS: ______

Evaluation Sheet for TEST #_____

Sign – To - Voice

Avoid fillers: 1 2 3

Conceptual accurate: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Recognition of NMM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Noun / Verb Agreement 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Recognition of

Placement(s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Recognition of

Detail inclusion : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Accurate to SPIRIT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Of message:

Avoid gloss: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Complete Eng Sent. 1 2 3 4 5

Appropriate Intonation: 1 2 3 4 5

Appropriate register: 1 2 3

Articulation: 1 2 3

# /F.S. Recognition 1 2 3 4 5

OVERALL SL-TO-TL ADHERANCE 1 2 3 4 5 6