SeattleCentralCommunityCollege

SeattleCentralCommunityCollege____________________________________

Division of Heath and Human Services

ITP 250: Applied Interpreting Experience
Course Syllabus

Course: ITP 250 Applied Interpreting Experience II

Credits: 4

Class hours: Thursdays 3:00-3:50pm; Classroom: BE#3209

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor with all necessary courses completed

Instructor: Brenda Aron, co-teachers: Dave Morrison & Christine Visser

Office: BE 1123 Phone: 800-729-9074 Email: baron@sccd.ctc.edu

Office hours: Mon/Wed 1-4pm damorrison@sccd.ctc.edu

cvisser@sccd.ctc.edu

Course Description:

This course is designed to review specific areas of ASL skill development; expose students to various interpreting models and experiences to prepare them for the tasks required for functioning as professional interpreters. It also provides practical application of interpreting skills learned in the classroom. Students are expected to observe working interpreters in field settings as well as work with student partners in volunteer interpreting situations. Observations and feedback from volunteer interpreting are kept in journal logs. They will also be supervised and observed during the quarter by the faculty members.

Instructor Philosophy:

This volunteer interpreting experience is all about being aware of your choices throughout your interpreting process, and being able to analyze those choices with your peers and instructors. You will find that each opportunity is unique and will stretch you and that there are no “black and white” answers. You will be given an opportunity to apply what you have learned in the classroom and to use your own judgment. You will need to trust your instructors’ instincts when they give you feedback, as those instincts are based upon years of experience.

In your daily logs develop the habit of NO NAMES. Begin talking about your situations and the people involved in generic ways. This applies not only to your journal, but to discussing your observations with other students and faculty.

Student Outcomes:

Using the ASL/English improvement sheet, you will need to develop goals for your AIE practicum. The following are course required student outcomes. Your plan should be very specific and related to your actual interpreting skills.

1.         Increase working vocabulary of ASL by 10 signs per
            week.
            a. Daily log with lists of new vocabulary and usage

2. Develop an increased awareness of the interpreting
profession, e.g. what interpreters actually do on the job.

a. Observation of working interpreters and self monitoring

b. Keep notes on situations involving ethics, logistics and social

interactions.

c. Discuss with peers and instructors.

3. Use professional conduct appropriate to the situation

a. Be prompt

b. Complete and thoughtful record keeping

c. Wear appropriate attire

d. Maintain Code of Ethics in the classroom

4.         Increase stamina so that by the last two full weeks of the
            quarter, student will interpret for a minimum of 20+
            minutes without respite in a 50 minute class session.

Methods of Instruction:

As this course is primarily out in the field, the class instruction will be in the form of large and small group discussions during our Thursday time together. Instructors will be visiting your field placements and giving feedback and direction. We will also cover some ASL skill development in our classes.

Required Materials:

Students must provide a notebook with clearly separated identified sections for recording notes, questions, vocabulary and observations. Students should set up a regular schedule for logging all hours. Students must dress appropriately for interpreting assignments.

Student Assignments:

You will find and arrange your own volunteer interpreting situations however you must meet with Christine Visser for approval. Christine Visser will be responsible for your observation placement sites. You must contact her if there is a possible observation opportunity. See the ITP handbook for details. You will be responsible for completing all necessary paperwork, all forms will be provided to you.

1. Volunteer Experience -40 hours per quarter

Students must work in pairs. You must seek volunteer interpreting opportunities for example:

Volunteer Interpreting Opportunities:

· Wednesday night Deaf-blind class, you are required to attend at least 3 of the 5 classes for this quarter. Classes begin at 5 pm and ends at 7:30 pm. First class is January 9 at SCCC BE#1110.

· (If you attend for the full 5 classes = 10 volunteer hours)

· Washington State Deaf Blind Citizens general meetings

· DB Senior Citizens socials

· Contact Deaf people for interpreting opportunities such as: interpreting general lectures at SCCC, events and meetings for the Deaf faculty; & general activities in the community. Be sure to check with Christine Visser for approval prior to accepting the assignment.

Requirements:

· Each student is required to do 40 volunteer hours

· Volunteer interpreting is done with a partner

· Student must work with at least 5 or 6 partners during the volunteer interpreting experience

· Partners will keep extensive notes for each in their journal.

If your partner does not show up for a scheduled assignment you should do the class by yourself only up to an hour. If an instructor shows up to observe, you will still receive credit and your partner’s lack of responsibility will not affect your grade.

2. Observation of professional interpreters 40 hours per quarter

            Students are required to do 40 hours minimum of observation
of professional interpreters. Students are expected to observe a variety of interpreting situations and settings i.e., platform, stage and screen, one-on-one, group, classroom, and communication modalities. Observations will be written up and turned in throughout the quarter during the Friday lecture time.
Discuss these points:
1.    Professionalism in the classroom (ethics, logistics,dress)
2.    Vocabulary choices for the specific situation/register
3.    How did the interpreter handle difficult situations/
4.    Language choices that you observed (ASL, Transliteration?)

3. Final Volunteer Interpreting Project:

· On the day of the last class, students will turn in their volunteer interpreting log ,assessment paper and journal.

· The assessment paper will be a two page typewritten paper that condenses the learning, surprises, frustrations and growth that occurred during the quarter drawn from your journal entries of each mock experience. Use the objectives set out at the beginning of the syllabus as a format for assessment.

3. Feedback and Course Policies:

            Attendance is mandatory. If you are unable to
            attend, you must inform your partner and the faculty.
            (Please exchange phone #s)

Assessment and Grades:

Grades will be based upon faculty observations, completions of required hours and completion of journal and log.

Faculty observation 40 pts.

40 volunteer hours 80 pts.

40 observation hours/write up 80 pts.

Journal and log 40 pts.

Total: 240 points

The instructor’s evaluations focus on process time, conceptual accuracy, cohesion and confidence in interpreting skills.

Your grade must remain 2.5 or above to stay in the ITP program. If the grade falls below a 2.5 you are placed on probation. You must show improvement in the following quarter to remain in the program.

Your final grade will be reported as a decimal grade e.g. 3.7. Below is a conversion table, which shows how the points and percentage grades relate to letter and decimal grades.

Points: Percentage: Letter Grade: Decimal Points:

240- 216                    =       90% - 100%            =       A           =            3.5 - 4.0
215–192                  =        80%- 89%               =        B            =            2.6 – 3.4
191-168                    =        70% - 79%            =       C            =            1.5- 2.5
167-144                     =        60%- 69%             =        D            =             0.5 - 1.4
143-120                    =       50%- 59%            =       F           =              0 - 0.4

Absence Policy:

As ASL is a visual language taught with a visual method, class attendance is essential to learning. Any absences can impede a student’s progress. However, some absences are unavoidable. It is highly encouraged that students miss less than 15% of the class. Students missing over 15% (2+ classes) will have 50 points deducted from their final grade. Students missing over 25% (3+ classes) will have 100 points deducted from their final grade. Students who frequently miss parts of the class may have those hours totaled to count as absences from class.

Students shall be responsible for gathering all notes, materials and information missed during an absence. Any missed assignments or evaluations may not be able to be made up.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Students who are enrolled in Seattle Central Community College may withdraw without penalty until the midpoint of the semester. After that time, they may withdraw and receive a WF (withdrawn failing). An "F" will be averaged into their GPA.

Academic Honesty Policy:

Students who want to become professional interpreters need to develop competencies and gain knowledge. There are no shortcuts. Students found to be cheating or plagiarizing may receive a lowered grade on the material or in the course. For information on appeals consult the Seattle Central Community College Interpreting Training Program Handbook.

Cheating includes, but is not limited to 1) use of any unauthorized assistance, resource or materials in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; or 2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized on writing papers, preparing reports or videotapes, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or 3) the acquisition, without permission, of a test or other academic material belonging to Seattle Central Community College, to any department, or to any staff.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to 1) use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment, or 2) unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person; or 3) use of any agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

These guidelines apply to works of written or spoken English and sign language.

Note: If you need reasonable accommodations based on a documented disability, have emergency information to share or require special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make a confidential appointment with me within the first two weeks of class.

Americans with Disabilities Act: If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and require assistance or support services, please seek assistance through the Disability Support Services at 587-4183, room BE1147. A counselor will coordinate those services.

Equal Opportunity Statement: No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age or disability, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by Seattle Central Community College.

Affirmative Action Statement: Seattle Central Community College adheres to affirmative action policies designed to promote diversity and equal opportunity for all faculty and students.