Course Descriptions

ASL I301 - Introduction to Interpreting Theory and History (3 credits)
Provides and overview of the field of ASL/English interpreting. Emphasis is on exploring a progression of philosophical frames in the development of the profession; exploring models of interpreting process; and identifying requisite responsibilities, skills, and aptitudes for interpreters.

ASL I303 - American Sign Language for Interpreters (3 credits)
This course is designed for student interpreters to continue improving their fluency in American Sign Language (ASL). Emphasis is on the ability to appropriately compose and produce a variety of discourse genres in ASL such as narratives, explanations, descriptions, expository talks, procedural talk, and others. There is an equal emphasis on comprehension of and response to the same discourse types. Students will begin to focus on features of language such as prosody, discourse markers, rhythm, accents, variations, cohesive devices, involvement strategies, and others.

ASL L340 - Discourse Analysis: English (3 credits)
This course focuses on the analysis of language use in different genres of spoken English so that interpreting students become explicitly aware of the features of language used in everyday life. Students collect, transcribe, and analyze features of conversations, lectures, explanations, interviews, descriptions, and other types of speech genres while reading and discussing theoretical notions underlying language use in English. Students identify features of cohesion, involvement, discourse markers, coherence, structure, rhythm, prosody and others.

ASL L342 - Discourse Analysis: ASL (3 credits)
This course continues the introduction to discourse analysis, focusing on discourse in American Sign Language (ASL). Topics will include general discourse issues such as approaches to analysis, natural data analysis, technology for research in signed languages, and topics specific to ASL, including transcription in ASL, use of space and spatial mapping, involvement strategies, discourse structures and genres, cohesion and coherence, framing, and interaction strategies. One on-going question throughout the course will be the relevance to interpreting.

ASL I361 - Basic Interpreting Skills (3 credits)
This is the first course that begins the professional skills preparation for interpreting. In this course, students begin practicing the language skills necessary to interpret, and are evaluated not only in terms of effort but also in terms of quality. Students begin by analyzing texts for purpose, audience, linguistic features and discourse structure. Students are taught discourse mapping, reproducing texts in the same language, and then preparing translations of texts. Emphasis is on creating interpretations that are accurate in content, socially appropriate, and linguistically appropriate. As students learn to analyze, they also learn how to evaluate adequate interpretations as well as continuing to improve their linguistic abilities in both languages. (Prerequisite: Director's permission).

ASL I363 - Interpreting Community Texts: Consecutive (3 credits)
This is the second course that prepares students for the analytical skills needed to interpret. In this course, students continue their practice with interlingual mapping exercises, working with texts whose meaning they have already mastered towards unfamiliar texts. Again, students are evaluated not only in terms of effort but also in terms of quality. Students continue to analyze texts for purpose, audience, linguistic features and discourse structure. The greatest change is from an unlimited to a limited time for preparation and production of texts. Again, emphasis is on creating interpretations that are accurate in content, socially appropriate, and linguistically appropriate. As students produce consecutive interpretations, they also learn how to evaluate adequate interpretations as well as continuing to improve their linguistic abilities in both languages. (Prerequisite: Director's permission).

ASL I365 - Interpreting Community Texts: Simultaneous (3 credits)
This is the third and final course to prepare students for the professional skills needed to do simultaneous interpreting. In this course, students continue their practice with mapping exercises, working with texts whose meaning they have already mastered and working towards unfamiliar texts. Again, students are evaluated not only in terms of effort but also in terms of quality. Students continue to analyze texts for purpose, audience, linguistic features and discourse structure. The greatest change is eliminating the pauses in the source text. Again, emphasis is on creating interpretations that are accurate in content, socially appropriate, and linguistically appropriate. As students produce simultaneous interpretations, they also learn how to evaluate adequate interpretations as well as continuing to improve their linguistic abilities in both languages. (Prerequisite: Director's permission).

ASL I405 - Practicum (3 credits)
An extensive practicum experience . Students will be placed at two or more sites to experience several interpreting settings during the 15 week course. Students will be required to maintain a journal of their experiences and to meet with onsite practicum supervisors and program faculty regularly throughout the semester.