Introduction to Practice

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
INTR 1242
Descriptive
Introduction to Practice
Department
Sign Language Interpretation
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Credits
1.50
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
Flexible delivery ranging over 6 to 15 weeks
Max Class Size
16
Contact Hours
30 hours
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Learning Activities
  • Lecture/discussion
  • Demonstration/practice
  • Group work
Course Description
This field-based course provides students with an introduction to the practice profession of Sign Language interpretation. Learning is focused on: continuing development of pre-interpreting skills such as vocabulary development, discourse mapping and discourse reconstruction (paraphrasing); application of the Demand Control Schema (best practice process for reflection and decision making); an introduction to the Deaf-Blind community.
Course Content

The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:

  • Ongoing application of discourse analysis is an ever-evolving skill of interpreters.
  • Ongoing learning about the varieties of language use and cultural identities encountered in an  interpreter’s work is required for effective practice.
  • Current knowledge on a variety of topics is required for effective practice.
  • Interpreters may work with people who are Deaf-Blind, which entails mastering an additional skill set to accommodate specific communication needs and intervening techniques.
  • The decision-making process of interpreters is a complicated process requiring a multifaceted approach that considers all perspectives.
  • The Demand Control Schema provides useful constructs that allow for reflective dialogue about interpreting work, with the goal of improving effective and ethical decision making.

 

Learning Outcomes
  1. Apply techniques learned through observations to one’s own emerging professional practice;
  2. Explain the etiology of Deaf-Blind identities and communication methods used by Deaf-Blind people as well as define the distinction between interpreters and interveners;
  3. Apply strategies for on-going vocabulary development;
  4. Examine various settings in which interpreters work, using a Best Practice Process approach.
Means of Assessment
  • Demonstration/practice
  • Group work
  • Written assignments

This is a letter-graded course.

Textbook Materials

T.B.A.

Prerequisites

B or above in INTR 1142

Which Prerequisite