Seattle Central Community College______

Division of Business, Languages and Cultures

Course Syllabus

Course: ITP 115 Survey Of Interpreting

Credits: 3

Class hours: Friday 9 – 11:50

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Interpreter Training Program.

Instructor: Dave Morrison, MA, NIC: Advanced ; CI & CT

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

Office hours: T & TH 2 – 4:30 PM

Course Description:

Overview of the field of interpretation. Includes history, terminology, competencies, professional ethics and environmental factors. Prereq: Acceptance into the ITP program or permission.

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the quarter, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the profession of interpreting. They will do this by:

1) Applying at least 5 of the RID tenants of the Code of Conduct to hypothetical OR real life situation.

2) Observe the interpretation of working interpreters and be able to critically analyze the product using vocabulary appropriate to the profession.

3) Completing a research project which incorporates the history of Sign Language Interpreting and the history of RID.

4) Completion of class assignments which incorporate such topics as: theoretical models of interpreting, RID/NAD test, understanding of Deaf/Hearing cultural differences and the various environments in which interpreters work.

5) Application of the Gish and Colonomos theoretical models to real and hypothetical situations.

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. 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.

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 Materials:

So, You Want to be an Interpreter… Humphries, J & Alcorn, B. (H&H Publishers. ISBN-964036770)

Assignments and Tests:

·  Attend three events in the Deaf Community and write up a thoughtful analysis of the differences of Deaf Cultural social norms vs. Hearing Cultural social norms.Use your book and the resources in the ITP lab if necessary. (Learning outcome #4)

·  2 Interpreter observations. Attend an event / class / situation that is interpreted. Write a 2 page (DS, 12 point font, 1 inch margin) reaction paper analyzing HOW the interpreter fits within the framework of the situation. Use your RID Code of Conduct as a guide. Discuss how the interpreter’s professional demeanor, attitude, dress, application of the Colonomos / Gish theories and how the work incorporates the C.O.C. (Learning outcome #1 , #2 & #5)

·  Research Project – Presentation to the class (Learning outcome #3)

+You will choose a research project that focuses on RID, NAD and the profession of interpreting.

+THOROUGHLY research your topic. You MUST incorporate at least 1 professional article, 1 internet article and one personal interview:

History of NAD’s National Licensure Test and how it relates to the NIC

History of WSRID – it’s foundations and evolution

PL 94-142 and its effect on interpreters

NTID / RIT

C.S.U.N. & the NCOD

ADA and its effect on interpreters

Application of RID’s Code of Conduct and how it relates to the RID/NAD NIC

EIPA history & certification

RID’s NIC Domains

+ Thoroughly research your topic.

+ Prepare a 10 minute SIGNED presentation that expands on the topic explaining in detail HOW this effects interpreting, the profession and suggesting further avenues of education. Please focus the comments to applying the information to the working interpreter. EXAMPLE: RID’s Code of Conduct and the implications of breaking them.

+ Please bring handouts or other visual material to support your findings.

+ You will turn in your visual material / handouts, your Works Cited and a copy of either the outline from which you will speak, or a 2 page summary of your findings.

+ You will present your material in front of the class IN ASL on the assigned day.

·  Homework – exercises from the book (all Learning outcomes)

·  Final Exam (all learning outcomes)

GRADING

Attendance (9 X 3) 27

Thoughtful analysis of cultural social norms: (3 X 10) 30

Thoughtful, timely and thorough observations: (2 X 10) 20

Research project:

10 minute SIGNED presentation 40

Handouts / visual material 10

Homework: (25 X 125) 125

Final Exam 100

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE 352

There will be pop quizzes in addition to the work listed here.

ITP: 115 F’08 Page 1 of 3