What you learn in this course will give you an overview of the interpreting profession and the employment opportunities it provides. You will learn by reading and discussing information about the profession. In order to successfully complete this course, you must demonstrate your understanding of the course materials by:

• participating in class discussions
• writing papers demonstrating your understanding of ethical decision-making and an aspect of interpreting that interests you
• presenting the results of your research into the topic you choose to your peers
• writing weekly papers considering the readings that have been assigned to you
• successfully completing two proctored assessments

Here is an overview of all of the different types of assignments in the course. You can find the detailed directions for the assignments and the grading rubrics in the module where they are assigned.

Reflection Paragraphs

You will submit a minimum of 150 words (there is no maximum) on Canvas describing your reaction to/reflection on the assigned readings from Humphrey et al and Frishberg each week.
The paragraphs are NOT summaries; they are your thoughts on the readings. Each paragraph must discuss at least three points (at least one from each chapter) from the readings in Humphrey et al and Frishberg. This is not an opportunity to complain (or rave about the textbooks. I am looking for your reactions to the content in the books.
You may have been taught not to use 1st person when writing for college. This is an exception. “I was surprised to learn ___ because ...” Or “It bothered me to learn ___” are perfectly acceptable for this assignment.
Any paragraph submitted after the scheduled start time for class on the date and time it is due (without an approved extension requested BEFORE the deadline) will be accepted for half credit.

Ethics Paragraphs:

You will submit at least one scenario from Encounters with Reality that you feel would provide an interesting discussion for the ethics topic of that week. You will need provide the scenario number, its page number in the book and at least 150 words (not including any quotes from the scenario) explaining how/why you think that tenet would (or should) apply.
The scenario does not have to be from that week’s reading, but it does have to relate to the tenet we are discussing. I have tried to group the readings by topic, but many scenarios apply to several tenets.
You must ALSO bring the page number and the scenario # to class with you (enough information that we can locate it in the book) on the due date.
Any paragraph submitted after the date and time beginning of class on the date and time it is due (without an extension approved prior to the deadline) will be accepted for half credit.

Papers:

Late papers (without an extension) will be assessed a grade penalty of 10% of the total points possible for each week (or partial week) they are late.

Paper # 1 – The Research Paper:

You will choose an interpreting related topic in which you are interested and research it. Some topic suggestions (they really are just suggestions) are:

1. an in-depth study of a particular historical aspect of ASL interpreting
2. the qualifications required by specific work sites in our area
3. the certification/qualification requirements in other states
4. a comparison of the working conditions of interpreters in different states
5. different time periods in history
6. areas of specialty interpreting (educational, legal, medical, or theatrical).
7. deaf-blind interpreting
8. tri-lingual interpreting (ASL, English & Spanish)
   

You may also come up with your own idea. All topics must be approved by the instructor.
You paper must include both a presentation of your research (what you learned about your topic, but also your reaction to it.

• Your reaction should be at least a paragraph in length (hint … 150 words is about the minimum I will accept as a “paragraph”)
• The research section must be a minimum of 4 pages.
• BUT the paper, altogether, must be at least 5 full pages (typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins)
• You must include a work cited page (and corresponding in-text citations in the paper) using the APA format. Your work cited pages does NOT count toward the page minimums listed above.
• You must have at least three academically acceptable sources and at least two sources that are not one of your textbooks for this or any other course in this program.
• Wikipedia is not an acceptable source. Google (and any other search engines) is not a source at all. You may use both to help you find sources.

Presentation:

In addition, you will briefly present your research to the class. Students with similar topics (and prior approval of the instructor) may combine their presentations into a longer presentation if they wish to do so.

Paper # 2 – the Ethics Paper:

You will write a paper responding to specific ethics scenarios that will be provided to you later in the semester. Your analysis will be based on the various codes/guidelines we will study in this class. The paper will be at least 4 pages in length and should include a reaction paragraph.

ALL PAPERS MUST BE:

Typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with no greater than one-inch margins. I will notice, and reformat, if you deviate from these guidelines and take off points (plus the points you will lose for whatever you may have been trying to hide).

Proctored Assessments

Proctored Midterm and Final Assessments are taken online in Canvas and will have assigned due dates. The proctored assessments provide an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the course information and material.