Developing the Profession (10cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

Part A: Developing the Profession II (8 ECTS; 240 h):
This module focuses on the development of the profession of sign language interpreting,
exploring it in a larger social context. Essentially, the module explores principles and
practices of being a sign language interpreter, giving consideration to linguistic, cultural,
professional and ethical dynamics involved in the interpreting process and also in relation
to interpersonal relationships in the Deaf community. The fact that interpreting is a
professional service bringing together and mediating between different social groups is a
particular focus. The profession of sign language interpreting and, increasingly, sign
language translation is faced with divergent customer expectations that are often hard to
reconcile. The module will provide a forum for review of development of the profession,
future directions, and reflections on how to deal with such and other current expectations
and developments in the field.

Part B: Developing Reflective Practice II (2 ECTS; 60 h):
The aim of this strand, Developing Reflective Practice, is for students to improve and
deepen their self-reflection skills. By increasing self-reflection, students will also improve
their self-awareness and the ability to regulate their behaviour in interpreting practice. This
strand is centred on the need for practitioners to maintain professional integrity in their
work decisions that are in line with broader theories from the field of professional ethics.
The particular aims of this course are for students to improve on their abilities to see theory as it frames their understanding of their and others’ professional practice. This
course also critiques the approaches traditionally taken in community interpreting
compared to those evident in other service-based professions. The students will use
demand control schema as a work analysis tool.

Accomplishment methods

Part A:
– Preparatory tasks in Phase A (50 h) including preparatory readings and interview with
an expert in the field
– During the block seminar (Phase B; 25 h), content areas listed above will be
presented and discussed in a series of lectures and workshops. Based on the key
questions that arise in tutored and peer discussions, transnational working groups will
be established, each focussing on one of the main content areas of the module, e.g.
‘service structure', ‘sign language interpreter profession in change', 'networking and
policy-making' , 'the role of sign language interpreter and customer conflicts'. At the
end of the block seminar, each group will present an agenda to be pursued for the
rest of the module.
– In Phase C (150 h), transnational working groups established in the block seminar will
undertake a project studying structural similarities and differences between their
respective countries.
– The module concludes (Phase D; 10 h) with a series of online conferences where
group work is presented and discussed.

Part B:
Teaching methods
There will be 10hs of contact time during the block seminar. In addition, students will
spend 50 hours on self-study before and after the block seminar.

Content

Part A:
In this course, there is a shift from individual practice to that of their peers and in their
pedagogy. Students will be expected to choose some theories studied in 2.2 and find
avenues to disseminate information and advance discussions on the topic of ethics and
reflective practice.
Topics include:
- Ethical dilemmas, situated practice and moral sensitivity
- Deriving ethical material from observations and Think Aloud Protocols
- Case presentation and theory-based analysis (videotaped cases)
– Lobbying and policy making

Part B:
In this course, there is a shift from individual practice to that of their peers and in their
pedagogy. Students will be expected to choose some theories studied in 2.2 and find
avenues to disseminate information and advance discussions on the topic of ethics and
reflective practice.
Topics include:
- Ethical dilemmas, situated practice and moral sensitivity
- Deriving ethical material from observations and Think Aloud Protocols
- Case presentation and theory-based analysis (videotaped cases)