Division of Health and Human Services
Course Syllabus

Course: ITP 161, English to ASL Interpreting I

Credits: 4                                                         Prerequisites: Acceptance into the ITP

Instructor: Brenda Liebman Aron                  Office: BE 1123

Phone #: 206-452-5097                                   E-mail: Baron@sccd.ctc.edu

Class hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, ITP 161-01: 9–10:50 A.M.; ITP 161-02: 1:15-3:15 PM

Classroom: Room # 1148 (ITP Lab)

Course Description:
This course focuses on developing cognitive skills in translating from English to American Sign Language.  Interpreting process theories and application of interpreting processes will be introduced as well as practice in translating & consecutive interpreting.  In this course, you will continue to work on American Sign Language competency. This course includes lectures, discussions, exercises and videotaping.

My Educational Philosophy:

I believe every person learns at their own pace therefore one may pick up on the techniques adeptly while others struggle with much practice however, each will arrive at their goal eventually.

Students who:

• show willingness to learn;
• is aware of his/her strengths and weaknesses and
• works hard to improve through practice;
• accepts constructive feedback;
• assumes responsibility in course work such as turning in his/her work on time, completing course requirements as assigned;
• shows respect for others as well as self and
• has a good attitude

        will succeed.

Student Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

1. Apply 5 interpreting models (Seleskovitch; Nida & Tabor; Gile;  Bell and Colonomos to information management between English and American Sign Language texts
2. Apply cognitive processing skills in English (comprehension, memory, acuity and discrimination, repetitions, pattern inference and multitasking)
3. Apply visualization skills (visualization, mind-mapping & the Gish model to information processing from English texts to American Sign Language
4. Develop teamwork skills, receiving and giving feedback during and after the interpreting process
5. Demonstrate the ability to translate English to American Sign Language texts of various lengths.
6. Identify English equivalents to ASL utterances based on context and meaning.
7. Analyze equivalent meaning to your own English to American Sign Language translations and those of peers demonstrating effective interpersonal communication skills.

Method of Instruction:
There will be lectures, discussions, activities and practice exercises and giving and receiving effective feedback.

Required Text and Materials:

1. Patrie, Carol J. Translating from English: The Effective Interpreting Series, Dawn Sign Press, 2001
2. Handouts: to be purchased at the SCCC Copy Center.
3. 8 GB or more  flashdrive or external data or purchase a 4 GB flashdrive for every year
4. You can also use Two (six hours) DVDs In order to help prolong the life of our equipment, please do not use so-called bargain brands. The ones we recommend are TDK, Maxwell, Sony, BASF, Fuji, and Memorex. You will also need a recorder and a couple of audiocassettes. I suggest 30 minutes ones.
5. One three-ring binder to hold your notes, log journal, handouts, etc. that you will accumulate throughout the quarter.

• Access to college and personal email and the internet

Course Requirements:

ASL/English Usage Improvement Plan: Write up a plan using the form attached to be executed throughout the quarter to build individual skills in ASL grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and expression. The first part of the plan is due second week of the quarter and the result is due before the end of your last class. 5 pts each = 10 points.

Semantic Awareness Test: You are expected to complete a semantics awareness test. (150 test questions). It is strongly recommended that you complete at least one set a week to allow time for you to repeat parts of it that you did not do well. You will not be graded for the number of errors but for completion of the set. Due before end of quarter. 20 points.

Class Project: To be announced in class. 15 points

Homework Assignments: 5 points will be awarded for each assignment submitted. 15 points.

Observations: You are expected to accumulate 4 hours of observations at interpreted events, for example: lecture, workshops, church, and/or theatre, etc. No single event may count for more than one hour. If there is an interpreter in one of the classes you take, you may use that experience only once. Using the format shown below, type up each event, collate and turn it in as a packet. 20 points

Deaf-Blind Community Classes: You are expected to attend at least 3 of the 5 DB community classes every other Wednesday evening from 5-7 PM.  Class dates: Oct 6, 20, Nov. 3, 17, Dec 1.  You are to volunteer as a SSP and/or to observe interpreters in the classes. You are to write a short summary of the topic of the class and what you have learned related to the interpreting process. 15 pts.

Community Service: You are expected to provide 5 hours of community service for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and/or interpreting communities. You may SSP for the Deaf-Blind at DB community class, or arrange a time to provide SSP to individual DB persons; provide assistance in organizations such as ADWAS, HSDC, DBSC, ODHH, WSRID etc. You may also volunteer to teach sign language to the parent infant program or the daycare at SCCC. 15 points.

Practice Log: A typed log of your on-going practice including class assignments, as additional work for the class, i.e., work with study group, work with tutor/mentor, practice with Deaf people etc. A detailed description of the work you performed in those settings should be entered on, at least, on a weekly basis; a daily or weekly entry is highly recommended. See attached for a sample of practice log. 10 points

Translation Exercises: There will be three evaluations on your expressive translation skills. The first focuses on translation, the second will be on consecutive interpreting from a prepared text. The third evaluation will be consecutive interpreting from a text to be announced on the day of the test. (It will be from a previously viewed and practiced text) 250 points.

Typewritten work is to be submitted at the beginning of class on the due date. No email or fax submissions). Keep a copy of all typewritten work submitted. No make-up quizzes will be given except in extreme emergencies. Late work will be accepted with a penalty of 10% for each class day late.

Culturally Respectful Behavior:

1. Attend and participate in class
2. Use appropriate attire for videotaping
3. Work cooperatively with your peers and the instructor
4. Adjust turn-taking as appropriate
5. Sign at all times in class

Assessment and Grades:

1. ASL/English Improvement Plan:                       = 10 points
2. Semantic Awareness Test:                               = 20 points
3. Observation Activity: 4 hours                             = 20 points
4. Community Service                                            = 15 points
5. Class Project                                                        = 15 points
6. Homework Assignments                                    = 15 points
7. Deaf-Blind Community Class papers              = 15 points
8. Practice Log:                                                        = 10 points
9. Three Translations:100 points each                              = 300 points
10. Midterm & Final Exam                                       = 30 points
11. Culturally Respectful Behavior:                        = 10 points
                                                                           Total: 460 points

Grading:

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. Please remember a grade of 2.5 or above is required to pass this course and progress in the Interpreter Training Program.

Points:               Percentage:       Letter Grade:        Decimal Points:

460-414         =             90% +                    =               A                =                3.6 -  4.0

413-368          =             80%+                     =              B               =                3.2 – 3.5

367-322          =             70% +                    =              C               =                2.8 -  3.1

321-276         =             60% +                    =              D               =                2.4 – 2.7

275-0             =             50%                        =             F                 =                2.0 – 2.3

Course Adaptations and Accommodations: 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. For more information regarding support services or accommodations, call the Disability Support Services at 587-4183, room BE#1112.

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. Students may have one absence without it affecting their grade. 5 points will be deducted for every absence in excess of one day. 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.