Undergraduate Course Catalog 2012-2013
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
» http://www.manchester.unh.edu
Sign Language Interpretation (INTR)
» http://manchester.unh.edu/academics/degree-programs/sign-language-interpretation
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Associate Professor: Jack E. Hoza
Lecturer: Patrick F. McCarthy
Sign Language Interpretation (B.S.)
The sign language interpretation program at UNH Manchester is a specialized, in-depth program with a national reputation for quality and has twice been recognized at the national level. In 1999, the program became the first interpreting program in the country to be found in compliance with the National Interpreter Education Standards of the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT). In 2007, the program became the first interpreting program in the nation to be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE). UNH Manchester also houses one of northern New England’s most comprehensive collections of books and media materials on sign language interpretation.
The program is guided by the premise that deaf people, as a linguistic minority, possess their own cultural values, literature, history, traditions and social conventions. Interpretation requires bilingual and bicultural competence in spoken English and American Sign Language. The sign language interpretation program at UNH Manchester provides students with a strong theoretical foundation as a generalist in ASL/English interpretation and helps prepare students for either state-level interpreter screening or national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) interpreter certification, depending on students’ skill level and experience.
Graduates may go on to pursue specialty areas in interpretation or related fields of study.
Students who complete the bachelor of science degree in sign language interpretation graduate with a varied and flexible academic base. Interpretation requires skills such as sustained powers of concentration, versatility in dealing with a variety of people and content areas, fast-thinking and excellent communication skills in the respective languages. Students seeking to become interpreters receive a foundation in American Sign Language, deaf culture and the interpretation process, and their programs of study often include elective courses in linguistics, sociology, communication and psychology. Students also gain a thorough grounding in the liberal arts through the University’s Discovery program.
Graduates of the sign language interpretation program may pursue careers in ASL/English interpretation, Deaf education, rehabilitation, health care, audiology, social work, counseling, and the media. The program provides students with a varied and flexible academic base. Graduates are prepared for further study in such fields as psychology, communication, linguistics, sociology, and anthropology.
Program of Study
Students must complete 64 credits in the major, 40 credits in the University’s Discovery program, and 24 credits in elective courses. Students must complete 64 credits with a grade of C or better. Students who earn less than a C on a particular course may repeat that course only once. Students must achieve a GPA of 2.5 or better in major courses and must pass both ASL 531 and INTR 630 with at least a B- (or successfully demonstrate competence in American Sign Language and consecutive interpretation, respectively). Transfer students must complete a minimum of eight SLI courses at UNH Manchester.
Required Courses
Language Courses
ASL 435, American Sign Language I
ASL 436, American Sign Language II
ASL 531, American Sign Language III
ASL 532, American Sign Language IV
ASL 621, Advanced ASL Discourse I
ASL 622, Advanced ASL Discourse II
Culture and Linguistic Courses
INTR 438, A Sociocultural Perspective on the Deaf Community
INTR 539, Comparative Linguistic Analysis for Interpreter
Interpreting Courses
INTR 430, Introduction to Interpretation
INTR 439, Ethics and Professional Standards for Interpreters
INTR 540, Principles and Practice of Translation
INTR 630, Principles and Practice of Consecutive Interpretation
INTR 636, Principles and Practice of Simultaneous Interpretation
INTR 732, Simultaneous Interpretation of Discussions, Speeches, and Reports
INTR 734, Field Experience and Seminar I
Capstone Experience
The capstone experience in the bachelor of science degree program in sign language interpretation (SLI) is met by INTR 735, Field Experience and Seminar II, which is a senior-level course and the last in the sequence of courses required for the major. This course meets the following two criteria of the capstone experience for this major: 1) the capstone synthesizes and applies disciplinary knowledge and skills, and 2) the capstone demonstrates emerging professional competencies.
For more information, contact Jack Hoza, program director, at (603) 641-4143 or jack.hoza@unh.edu; or contact the Office of Admissions.
