American Sign Language: "Sample
Deaf Mentorship Practicum Syllabus"
Program Name: XYZ College
[Course Number: 12345 ] [Course Title:
Deaf Practicum]
Class time: M/W: 10:45 – 12:20
Field hours: 10 hours per week
Instructor: Jane Smith, Ph.D.
E-mail:
Office:
Office hours:
Textbook: Interpreting: The Art of Cross
Cultural Mediation: Proceedings of the Ninth National Convention of
the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, 1985. RID Publications.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The student will:
1.
After looking at environmental and language demands of each placement, list a variety
of controls that could be used to address each demand.
2. Compare and contrast sign communication
styles and preferences of each mentor and categorize components of
each style.
3. Offer a Deaf-centric perspective on
interpreting by documenting thoughts and feelings of their mentors
about the interpreting field.
At the beginning of each practicum the students
will develop personal goals to work on during the course of the
placement. These goals must be measurable. I will gladly help in
writing them in a format that later both you and your mentor can use
in evaluating your progress.
An example of a measurable goal:
"Improve my receptive fingerspelling."
I will do so by:
1. Noting how often I ask for repeats and
making notes in my journal.
2. Noting the factors that lead to success or
deterioration of my skills and writing them in my journal. (internal
and external factors: fatigue, content, speed, outside distraction,
etc.)
3. Viewing 2 fingerspelling video tapes during
the semester with a short critique of the tape
You should have at least three realistic
goals but four to five is not uncommon. If your goals can not be
met in your current placement, revise them after the first week.
These also need to be checked by your mentor. Once finalized, make
three copies. One for you to work with regularly; one for your
mentor, and one for me for my files.
During the Semester the student will:
1. Attend the assigned placement at the times
agreed upon faithfully.
2. If absent, notify the mentor and make
alternate arrangements to make up the time missed.
3. Come to the seminar section ready to
participate and share experiences, read articles as assigned and be
ready to discuss them.
4. Keep a daily journal documenting:
* Days and hours spent at site (see attached
log)
* What, of interest, occurred daily; especially
related to goals
* Issues, communication observations,
information about interpreting or interpreters in general that you
can benefit from, questions regarding personal goals and course
goals, etc.
5. Act in a professional manner, dress
appropriately to the situation and be humble!
6. Keep all client related information
strictly confidential. When discussing experiences during seminar,
we will focus on ISSUES not assignment specific information.
At the end of each practicum placement, the
student will write a paper describing the internship experience.
This paper will be 3-5 pages, typed and include:
* An evaluation of your progress.
* The effectiveness of the placement you were
assigned in meeting your practicum goals
* A comparison of the results of your
placements with your own expectation
* An evaluation of the program in terms if its
effectiveness in preparing you for the field of interpreting and
your understanding of the Deaf experience.
GRADING POLICY:
Your grade will be calculated as follows:
In each of your three placements -
* Journal documentation ……………………………...………… 25%
* Evaluation by mentors ………………………………………… 25%
* Placement papers …………………………………………..…..25%
* Seminar discussions/presentations
…………………….….…..25%
Three placement papers, and journal
documentation for all three placements are required in order to
receive the final grade. Otherwise, you will receive an incomplete
(I) for the course. Once you complete all the work, your final
grade will be computed with points deducted for late submission of
your work in addition to one letter grade lowered for the final
grade.
Regular attendance is expected for classes and
on site placements throughout the 15 weeks. You are also expected
to be punctual. Excessive absences (3) will result in a reduced
grade for the course. Three (3) tardies will equal one absence.
SCHEDULE:
The semester is divided into three modules of
approximately 5 weeks each.
Module 1: Jan. 26 to Feb. 27
Module 2: March 2 to April 10
Module 3: April 13 to May 15
Expect to log an average of 50 hours per
module. The second module is six weeks but includes Spring break.
Please note that the college's breaks may be different from that of
the target school. Plan accordingly.
SEMINAR DISCUSSIONS:
In addition to the 10 hours per week out in the
field, 3 1/2 hours per week are spent in seminar. During this time,
we discuss issues pertinent to your placements. Your mentors, if
available, are welcomed to come and participate in our discussions.
Please remind them of this. Additionally, we have articles we will
read, share, and discuss. Be sure to come to class having read the
assigned articles.
In preparation for class discussions on
experiences associated with each mentorship site, students will
complete five worksheets for each placement (one on demand/control
schema, one on organization, one on mentor, one on cross cultural
and fit, and one for the mentorship meeting) and submit on the dates
they are due.
In addition, each student will be responsible
for leading one class discussion. For each class discussion, one of
the readings will be pre-assigned (see the list below) and the
second article will be selected and distributed by the student.
Book Chapters to be discussed in class:
Class #/Date Topic (discussion leader)
06. 2/11 On Language, Power, and
the Deaf
08. 2/18 Close Intercultural
Relationships
12. 3/4 Characteristics of
Oppressed and Oppressor Peoples
14. 3/11 Warning! Crossing
Cultures Can be Hazardous
16. 3/18 Issues Involving Black
Interpreters
18. 4/1 Cross-Cultural
Cross-Racial Mediation
20. 4/8 Interpreting for
Southern Black Deaf
22. 4/15 Interpreting: The
Culture of Artful Mediation
24. 4/22 The Interpreter as
Cross-cultural Mediator
26. 4/29 The Secret of the Orchard
To receive an “A” for the class discussion, you
will need to do the following:
1) Make sure the second article is relevant to the assigned topic
and is of interest to your classmates;
2) distribute the second article on time; and
3) synthesize the information from both the chapter and article and
provide a clear structure for a productive discussion on the topic.
COLLEGE SUPPORT:
The staff and faculty of the college are here
to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and
physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of
confidential student services, including counseling and mental
health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health
Center. For more information see online: _____
DISTRACTIONS:
Use of cell phones, pagers, headphones, our
such in the classroom is distracting and will not be tolerated.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. See the college's
policy on Academic Dishonesty posted at:
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