Sign Language Interpreting Program
Required Course
Offerings

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Course Offerings

Course #
Course
Credit Hours
SGN 205
American Sign Language V
3
SGN 210
American Sign Language Community: A Cultural Perspective
4
ITP 101
Introduction to Interpreting
3
ITP 110
Consecutive Interpreting: English to ASL
3
ITP 111
Consecutive Interpreting: ASL to English
3
ITP 120
Simultaneous Interpreting: English to ASL
3
ITP 121
Simultaneous Interpreting: ASL to English I
3
ITP 200
Transliteration and Educational Interpreting
3
ITP 211
Simultaneous Interpreting: ASL to English II
3
ITP 215
Interpreting: Dialogic Discourse
4
ITP 216
Interpreting: Monologic Discourse
3
ITP 220
Interpreting Practicum
5
ITP 201
Topics in Interpreting (elective)
1 - 4

Total Credit Hours

40

Optional Recommended Coursework

Harper College offers courses in other disciplines, many of which have applications related to interpreting. Students are strongly urged to consult the credit and continuing education course schedules for additional classes. The following credit courses may be of particular interest to interpreting students:

Course #
Course
Credit Hours
ANT 101
Introduction to Anthropology
3
ANT 202
Cultural Anthropology
4
EDU 201
Introduction to Education
3
ENG 101
Composition
3
LNG 105
Introduction to General Linguistics
3
LNG 205
Language and Culture
3
PHI 110
Logic
3
PHI 115
Ethics
4
PHI 150
Business Ethics
4
PSY 107
Humanistic Psychology
3
SPE 101
Fundamentals of Speech Communication
3
SPE 111
Introduction to the Theatre
3
SPE 115
Interviewing
1
SPE 212
Acting
3

Course Descriptions

SGN 205
American Sign Language V
3 hrs.
Provides an in-depth examination of the linguistic structure of American Sign Language and includes a contrastive analysis of English and American Sign Language syntax. Designed for students interested or currently enrolled in the Sign Language Interpreting program.
Prerequisite: SGN 202 with a grade of C" or better or consent of department chairperson.
 
SGN 210
American Sign Language Community: A Cultural Perspective
4 hrs.
Examines the history of American Sign Language, the emergence of the deaf community as a linguistic and cultural group, the cultural norms, values, traditions and rules of social behavior of the deaf community, minority dynamics and cross cultural interactions.
Prerequisite: SGN 201 with a grade of "C" or better or consent of department chairperson.
 
ITP 101
Introduction to Interpreting
3 hrs.
Provides an overview of the field of interpreting and discusses the historical development of the interpreting profession. Students are introduced to terminology, theoretical models of interpreting and current practices in the field. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Ethics is examined in light of personal and professional standards. The roles and responsibilities of the interpreter are also discussed.
Prerequisite: SGN 202 with a grade of "C" or better or consent of coordinator.
Corequisite: SGN 205 or consent of coordinator.
 
ITP 110
Consecutive Interpreting: English to ASL
3 hrs.
Focuses on the development of consecutive expressive interpreting skills with rehearsed and spontaneous texts. Students interpret from English into American Sign Language with time allotted between delivery of the source language message and the interpretation. Text analysis and development of pre-interpreting skills (cloze, short term memory, chunking, shadowing, paraphrasing and dual task training) are emphasized prior to the consecutive interpreting task.
Prerequisite: ITP 101 and SGN 205 with grades of "B" or better or consent of program coordinator.
 
ITP 111
Consecutive Interpreting: ASL to English
3 hrs.
Focuses on the development of consecutive interpreting skills with rehearsed and spontaneous texts. Students interpret from American Sign Language into English with time allotted between delivery of the source language message and the interpretation. Message comprehension and composition skills are emphasized. Text analysis and pre-interpreting skills (prediction, visualization, short term memory, and paraphrasing) are introduced prior to the consecutive interpreting task.
Prerequisite: ITP 101 and SGN 205 with grades of "B" or better or consent of program coordinator.
 
ITP 121
Simultaneous Interpreting: ASL to English I
3 hrs.
Introduces the student to simultaneous ASL to English interpreting and moves the student from consecutive interpreting to simultaneous interpreting with minimal time provided between delivery of source language text and interpretation into the target language. Students work on prediction strategies, message comprehension, composition and demeanor. Students are introduced to partnering techniques and register variation.
Prerequisite: ITP 111 with a grade of "C" or better or consent of program coordinator.
 
ITP 200
Transliteration and Educational Interpreting
3 hrs.
Focuses on the development of transliteration skills in simultaneous monologic and dialogic texts. Students work with both rehearsed and spontaneous spoken to signed English and signed to spoken English texts. Students develop skills in assignment preparation, transliteration performance and analysis, as well as practice of specific transliteration principles. Special emphasis will be put on the use of transliteration in educational settings.
Prerequisite: ITP 110 and ITP 111 with grades of "C" or better or consent of program coordinator.
 
ITP 211
Simultaneous Interpreting: ASL to English II
3 hrs.
Focuses on the development of simultaneous interpreting skills in increasingly complex rehearsed and unrehearsed texts. Preparation, team interpreting, process management, and analysis of message equivalency is stressed. Text material includes both teacher-directed and student-directed selections.
Prerequisite: ITP 121 with a grade of "C" or better or consent of program coordinator.
 
ITP 215
Interpreting: Dialogic Discourse
4 hrs.
Provides instruction and practice in the development of dialogic interpreting and transliterating skills in live, unrehearsed situations covering a variety of settings. Students also gain experience in process management, application of professional ethics and behavior, and articulation of role and responsibilities. Students analyze their work using a variety of strategies, including back-translation, to determine success of message equivalency. Students learn setting-specific logistics and protocol.
Prerequisite: ITP 120, ITP 121, and ITP 200 with grades of "C" or better or consent of program coordinator.
 
ITP 215
Interpreting: Monologic Discourse
3 hrs.
Focuses on the development of interpreting and transliterating skills in unrehearsed monologic interpreting presentations. This course addresses assignment preparation, public speaking techniques, process management, peer critiquing skills, and analysis of message equivalency. Techniques for interpreting using consultative and formal registers will be covered and practiced.
Prerequisite: ITP 215 and ITP 200 with grades of "C" or better or consent of program coordinator.
Corequisite: ITP 220
 
ITP 220
Interpreting Practicum
5 hrs.
Provides opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of interpreting settings which may include business, education, performing arts, religious and community service. Classroom sessions allow for discussion of ethical issues and business practices. Students will also begin their preparation for state and national credentialling examinations.
Prerequisite: ITP 211 and ITP 215 with grades of "C" or better and consent of program coordinator.
Corequisite: ITP 216
 
ITP 201
Topics in Interpreting
1 - 4 hrs.
Presents selected topics in interpreting. The exact content and instructional methodology will vary from semester to semester depending upon the material and topics to be studied. A syllabus or course outline containing additional information will be available with pre-registration materials each time that the course is offered. This course may be offered for one to four credit hours.
Prerequisite: Consent of program coordinator.

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