Ethics & Professional Decision Making

Course code INTR 2210

Credit 2.5

Length 45.0 hours

Course outline View

This course provides students with opportunities to clarify their own values and integrate that knowledge into the concept of sign language interpreters as cultural mediators within their professional role. Applying prior learning regarding power, privilege and oppression, students will discuss and analyze meta-ethical principles and the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct espoused by sign language interpreters in Canada. Students will also further their understanding of the decision-making framework known as Demand Control Schema and its application to ethics.

Prerequisites

INTR 2100.

Course type

This course is offered as part of a VCC program and cannot be taken individually.
International students: Eligibility is determined at the program level. Visit the program page for international student requirements and application information.

  • Values and ethics Relationship between one’s own personal and professional values and one’s professional code of ethics A code of ethics as an expression of values and guidelines Critical thought and situational variables that impact the application of the code of ethics Personal philosophy of practice
  • Professional governance General purposes of professional codes of ethics Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct Workplace guidelines and policies of employers of interpreters Legislation that impacts the interpreting community of practice Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters (WAVLI) and Occupational Title Protection in BC Conflict and/or tensions between professional, employer and legislated governance
  • Demand Control Schema Constellations of demands Controls on a liberal-conservative spectrum Positive and negative consequences Resulting demands Case studies and hypothetical dilemmas
  • Interpreter power, privilege, positionality Possibility and implications of using one’s position of power to reinforce the status quo Ongoing examination of one’s own positionality in a variety of professional and community settings Envisioning oneself as an agent of change toward social, economic and racial justice

PLAR is assessed through: simulation or actual presentation of a candidate’s abilities, live and/or video-recorded. The demonstration may include, but is not limited to, challenge assignments, demonstrations and/or interviews.

Course schedules

Select your program to see the available course schedules.

CRN# Duration Delivery Location
41835 January 6, 2027
to April 20, 2027
Lecture VCC Broadway Building A See full schedule

Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule. All self-paced courses have on-campus tests. Off-site certified invigilation centres may be used at the student's expense.

How to take this course

This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please email at [email protected].

† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples who have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial.