vcc.ca
INTR 3220: Sign Language Interpreting Practicum 1
Effective date
September 2023
Department
Sign Language Interpretation
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
This is the first of two field-based, capstone courses providing students with further opportunities to synthesize classroom learning. Under the direction and mentorship of professional interpreter practitioners as they work in the field, students will be challenged to apply, integrate and reflect upon their own development of practical interpreting skills and professional readiness. Students will further examine their personal and professional experiences while participating in seminars with their college instructors and classmates.
Credits
4.5
Year of study
3rd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
INTR 3110, INTR 3120, INTR 3140, INTR 3150.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Communicate effectively with a diverse range of language users, in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English
- Simultaneously interpret, with field-ready, meaning-based accuracy, between ASL and spoken English at an entry-level degree of difficulty
- Consecutively interpret, with field-ready, meaning-based accuracy, between ASL and spoken English at an entry-level degree of difficulty
- Examine and synthesize the application of theory to practice
- Demonstrate awareness of their own positionality in a variety of settings, conducting self appropriately with culturally and linguistically diverse individuals
- Use timely, effective and respectful interpersonal communication with consumers of interpreting services, mentors, colleagues and others
- Actively seek and integrate feedback from consumers, mentors, colleagues and others
- Discuss and apply the Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters’ Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct
- Use self-care and wellness strategies, including ways to maintain personal boundaries and to manage stress
- Identify their own focus areas and set goals for ongoing and future development
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 6
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 120
Total Hours: 126
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 120
Total Hours: 126
Instructional Strategies
Field experience with supervision; seminars.
Grading System
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Passing grade
S
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Practicum |
S |
Site mentor observations |
|
Assignments |
S |
Interpretation assignments |
|
Other |
S |
Self-evaluations |
|
Other |
S |
Reflection activities |
Course topics
- The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course: - Interpreting is a complex cognitive task requiring sophisticated language skills and rapid mental processing; interpreters require preparation for successful interpretations. - Technical proficiency must be balanced with professionalism and sound ethical decision making. - Recognition of one’s own power and privilege in any given situation will assist the practitioner in mitigating their effects. - Supervised practice interpreting in the field provides opportunities for students to integrate interpreting theory, cultural and linguistic mediation, ethical decision making, and interpersonal skills. - Reflection, evaluation, and integration of self-critique and collegial feedback form the basis of on-going professional development regarding skills, interpersonal expertise, attitude and other observable behaviours. - Maintenance of personal wellness is an essential component of an interpreter’s practice.
Learning resources
Readings as assigned by the instructor.
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.