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SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING

Assistant Professors: C. Multra-Kraft, M. Soukup
Instructors: M. Dyce

The Sign Language Interpreting Program prepares students to interpret in a variety of settings. The program has been developed in accordance with the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT) recommended course of study and is based on a broad foundation of liberal arts, sciences, professional education, research, and practicum. Students must pass the Intermediate level of the SCPI (Sign Communication Proficiency Interview) to be admitted into the Sign Language Interpreting Program.

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING MAJOR: 43 credit hours
Required Courses:

INTR 110 - Visual/Gestural Communication (2 cr)
INTR 201 - Introduction to Interpreting (2 cr)
INTR 301 - Building Translation Skills (3 cr)
INTR 334 - Language Proficiency I (3 cr)
INTR 340 - Interpretation I (3 cr)
INTR 342 - American Sign Language to English I (3 cr)
INTR 343 - English to American Sign Language I (3 cr)
INTR 344 - American Sign Language to English II (3 cr)
INTR 345 - English to American Sign Language II (3 cr)
INTR 350 - Specialized Interpreting (3 cr)
INTR 360 - ASL Linguistics and Sociolinguistics (3 cr)
EDHH 220 - Foundations of Deafness and Culture (3 cr)
EDHH 226 - American Sign Language I (3 cr)
EDHH 227 - American Sign Language II (3 cr)
EDHH 331 - American Sign Language III (3 cr)
EDHH 332 - American Sign Language IV (3 cr)

Courses Required for Certification: 15 credit hours

INTR 350 - Specialized Interpreting (3 cr)
INTR 355 - Interpreting Practicum (3 cr)
INTR 495 - Internship (9 cr)

Supportive Courses Required for Certification: 22 credit hours

COMM 110 - Introduction to Communication (3 cr)
EDUC 355 - Human Relations in Education (3 cr)
ENGL 110 - First-Year Composition (3 cr)
GENL 492 - Capstone (3 cr)
GOVT 110 - Introduction to Government (3 cr)

NAST 320 - Native American Social Systems (3 cr)
– OR –
NAST 352 - History of the Lakota/Dakota (3 cr)

THEA 115 - Introduction to Theatre (3 cr)
– OR –
THEA 220 - Acting II (3 cr)

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING COURSES:

INTR 110 - VISUAL/GESTURAL COMMUNICATION (2 credits)
This course provides an introduction with visual-gestural mode of communication assisting students move from an aural and oral language to a visual language. Students learn to describe objects, ask for and give directions, discuss limited hypothetical issues, describe 2- and 3-D visual images, and translate from written English to visual gestural communication. The instructor uses gesture throughout the course.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

INTR 201 - INTRODUCTION TO INTERPRETING (2 credits)
This course provides a survey of the field of ASL/English interpreting including roles and responsibilities, professional practices, and certificate/licensure. An introduction to the ethical practices of the interpreting profession, interpreting process models, and Demand/Control theory will be included.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: EDHH 220 AND 227
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

INTR 301 - BUILDING TRANSLATION SKILLS (3 credits)
This course provides students with an introduction to cognitive processing, theory of translation, and models of interpretation. Students will engage in a variety of lab activities designed to isolate various cognitive processes in order to increase student’s ability to focus, concentrate, and analyze. Components of translation will be discussed and practiced in both English and ASL. Students will learn various models of interpretation and their application to prepare them for Interpretation I. Students will apply for admission into the Sign Language Interpreting Program.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: EDHH 331 AND INTR 201
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

INTR 334 - LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY I (3 credits)
This course further refines students’ communication skills in American Sign Language through storytelling, debating, and lecture presentations. Language features emphasized in this course includes vocabulary and use of classifiers. In addition, students will analyze multiple meaning English words and English idioms for expressing concepts in American Sign Language.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: EDHH 220 AND 332; ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER


INTR 340 - INTERPRETATION I
(3 credits)
This course focuses on the interpretation skills from ASL to spoken English and from spoken English to ASL. This course focuses on consecutive interpretation theory and practice. Expansion/Compression strategies and interpreting management strategies will also be introduced. Students will interpret both rehearsed and unrehearsed texts.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: INTR 301; ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

INTR 342 - AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE TO ENGLISH I (3 credits)
This course focuses on simultaneous interpretation skills from ASL to English. The course introduces team interpretation, one-on-one interaction, small group interactive settings and narrative discourse. Incorporating effective compression strategies will be emphasized in this course. Live and videotaped scenarios will be used.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: INTR 340; ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

INTR 343 - ENGLISH TO AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I (3 credits)
This course focuses on simultaneous interpretation skills from English to ASL. The course introduces team interpretation, one-on-one interaction, small group interactive settings and narrative discourse. Incorporating effective compression strategies will be emphasized in this course. Live and videotaped scenarios will be used.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: INTR 342; ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

INTR 344 - AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE TO ENGLISH II (3 credits)
This course focuses on advanced ASL to English interpretation skills. The course also focuses on monologue work, team interpretation, large group interactive settings, and formal platform interpretation. This course will address students’ ability to modify their interpretation based on consumer preferences. Live and videotaped scenarios will be used.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: INTR 342; ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

INTR 345 - ENGLISH TO AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II (3 credits)
This course focuses on advanced English to ASL interpretation skills. The course also focuses on monologue work, team interpretation, large group interactive settings, and formal platform interpretation. This course will address students’ ability to modify their interpretation based on consumer preferences. Live and videotaped scenarios will be used.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: INTR 343; ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER

INTR 350 - SPECIALIZED INTERPRETING (3 credits)
This course is designed to expose students to a variety of settings in which an interpreter may function. The Demand-Control theory will be the foundational approach to setting analysis including the principles and protocols associated with each setting. “Hands-on” experiences will be provided through various mock situations for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate placement and skill application in each of these settings. This course includes both observations and in-class discussions.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: INTR 340; ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

INTR 355 - INTERPRETING PRACTICUM (3 credits)
This practicum provides on-site observation of working interpreters in educational, community, service agency or other settings. Classroom work includes discussion of a decision-making model that guides students in ethical decision-making. Practicum students will meet together weekly to share observations and experiences gained from the practicum placement. Class discussions will focus on linguistic issues in interpretation, ethical dilemmas, situational concerns and problem solving. Students are required to have 45 hours of observation experience and a weekly two hour seminar.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: INTR 343; ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER


INTR 360 - ASL LINGUISTICS AND SOCIOLINGUISTICS (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the linguistics study of American Sign Language, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and the basics of sociolinguistics. The discussion addresses the major features of languages and the structure, use, and variation in American Sign Language.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: EDHH 332
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

INTR 495 - INTERPRETING INTERNSHIP (9 credits)
Internship provides students with extensive exploration of the interpreting profession under the guidance of a qualified professional interpreter in settings that may include one or several of the following: education, medical, business, and government. The internship will be ten weeks in length, requiring approximately 35 hours per week.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: EDHH 220, 332, INTR 345, 350, AND 355;
ADMISSION TO INTERPRETING PROGRAM
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER

INTR 197, 297, 397 - TOPICS IN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING (1-4 credits)

INTR 199, 299, 399 - INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4 credits)