Course Title: Discourse Studies for Interpreters

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2010

Course Code: LANG5396

Course Title: Discourse Studies for Interpreters

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6067 - Advanced Diploma of Translating and Interpreting

Course Contact : Brad Paez

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99250362

Course Contact Email:brad.paez@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Ms Mavis Clifford   mavis.clifford@rmit.edu.au

Mr Brad Paez  brad.paez@rmit.edu.au

Ms Niki Baras  niki.baras@rmit.edu.au

Mr Liam McCaul   liam.mccaul@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Delivered together with Context and Practice of Interpreting 2.

Course Description

This course is designed to develop students’ practical listening, speaking and oral reproduction skills, and to introduce the lexicon and phraseology of various professional discourses.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBN932 Discourse Studies for Interpreters

Learning Outcomes


On completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to demonstrate an ability to identify features of spoken language, and proficiency in a number of listening, speaking and oral reproduction exercises relevant to the interpreting process.  These will include exhibiting effective speaking skills in relation to the production of short texts; paying particular attention to intonation and cohesive devices appropriate to oral texts; exhibiting effective listening, speaking and oral skills in relation to the comprehension and accurate summarising of short oral texts; and exhibiting effective listening, speaking and oral skills in relation to the comprehension and accurate reporduction in full of short oral texts.


Details of Learning Activities

In classroom situations, you will develop the skills and knowledge to deal with professional discourses relevant to professional interpreting, including the following:

  • Structuring a short address / presentation to accepted conventions of such discourse.
  • Demonstrating acceptable standards of public speaking, including pronunciation, intonation and stress patterns.
  • Showing how persuasive language can be used to influence an audience by analysing a short oral presentation.
  • Using appropriate cohesive and stylistic devices (lexis, syntax, collocation, idiom, etc.), as tools to ‘chunk’ meaning into oral texts.
  • Using register, collocation and idiom appropriate to the topic / setting of the discourse.
  • Orally analysing example texts with the purpose of identifying the above mentioned features in them.
  • Comprehending the meaning of short oral texts of approximately 300 words in professional discourses relevant to professional interpreting.
  •  Taking notes while listening
  • Identifying and reproducing orally the main points of the text in summary form, using appropriate register, vocabulary, collocation, intonation and stress.
  • Comprehending the meaning of short oral texts in professional discourses relevant to professional interpreting.
  • Orally reproducing the content, following the same cohesion/logical order as the source text.
  • Demonstrating appropriate register, vocabulary, intonation and stress.

You will also need to devote at least 2 hours per week of your own time on assignments / tasks allocated by your teacher and bring them back to class for discussion and feedback.  




Teaching Schedule

Week Number / Week Statring

Recommended Topic Area (Mirroring Interpreting Class)
Week 1 / 08 Feb

Course Introduction
Week 2 / 15 Feb Welfare/Social Issues/Education
Week 3 / 22 Feb Welfare/Social Issues/Education
Week 4 / 01 Mar Health/Medical
Week 5 / 08 Mar Health/Medical
Week 6 / 15 Mar Immigration
Week 7 /22 Mar

LO1
Immigration
Week 8 / 29, 30, 31 Mar Environment , Science & Technology
Semester Break Semester Break 01 April – 07th April
Week 8 / 08, 09 Apr Environment , Science & Technology
Week 9 / 12 Apr Environment , Science & Technology
Week 10 /19 Apr Australian Issues/Politics/Industrial Relations
Week 11 / 26 Apr LO2
Australian Issues/Politics/Industrial Relations
Week 12 / 03 May International Issues
Week 13 / 10 May Business/Trade/Finance/Insurance
Week 14 / 17 May Business/Trade/Finance/Insurance
Week 15 / 24 May Law
Week 16 / 31 May

Law
Review & Consolidation 

Week 17 / 07 June Exam Period Commences
Week 18 / 14 June Exam Period


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Learning materials will largely be generated and provided by the teachers (including professional interpreting texts and other written and oral/aural materials from the press, Internet, media and government publications) as the module is specifically targeted to practical skills that are necessary to the development of interpreting skills.

Selected additional reading may also be indicated at the discretion of the teacher and depending on individual needs of students.


Overview of Assessment

Three Learning Outcome tasks.


Assessment Tasks

Learning Outcome 1 (30%,  conducted in week 7 or otherwise advised by teacher)

(1) An oral class task, listening to a short oral text, taking notes and reproducing the text as completely and accurately as possible. Achievement of this learning outcome will require you to:

  • Listen to a short oral text
  • Take notes
  • Orally provide a live or taped reproduction of the text
  • Your reproduction must be as complete and accurate as possible, maintaining the cohesion/logic, meaning, intonation, registers etc of the original text.

(2) Written task in class:

  • Text analysis identifying features in the text such as cohesive devices/logical connections, intonation, repetition/back reference, registers and vocabulary in context etc.   

Learning Outcome 2 (60%, conducted in week 11 or otherwise advised by teacher)

(1) An oral class task, listening to a short oral text, taking notes and reproducing the text as completely and accurately as possible. Achievement of this learning outcome will require you to: 

  • Listen to a short oral text
  • Take notes
  • Orally provide a live or taped reproduction of the text
  • Your reproduction must be as complete and accurate as possible, maintaining the cohesion/logic, meaning, intonation, registers etc of the original text.

(2) Written task in class: 

  • Identifying features in the text: for example, cohesive devices/logical connections, intonation, repetition/back reference, registers and vocabulary in context etc. 

Learning Outcome 3 (10%, timing to be decided by teacher)

(1) An oral presentation
(2) Classwork based on Homework (to be explained by teacher)


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES

What do I do if I need help in this course?

You are advised to contact your teacher as soon as any difficulties arise. The Program Coordinator is available for academic advice and support. Once the issue has been identified, the Program Coordinator in consultation with your teacher and yourself, will put in place an individual study plan. This might include supplementary assessment, consultation during the conduct of assessment or granting an extension. Where these measures are inadequate, the Program Coordinator may refer you to University student support services such as student counselling or the Learning Skills Unit.

How can I have my relevant previous study or work/life experience assessed as a way of gaining credit in this course?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) means recognition of competencies currently held, regardless of how, when or where the learning occurred. This includes any combination of formal or informal training and education, work experience or general life experience.
For RPL to be granted, the applicant must provide evidence that he/she:
• has attained the competencies described in the modules that are being claimed
• possesses current competency in the modules that are being claimed, including underpinning skills and knowledge
• has applied the relevant modules in a context that is applicable to this qualification.
Contact the Program Coordinator for further advice about applying for RPL and suitable evidence requirements.

What are my responsibilities in undertaking this course?

All students are expected to attend classes regularly and complete all set learning and assessment tasks. You are encouraged to seek support in relation to any difficulties you may have at the program level via the Program Coordinator. Students are expected to act as professionals in the learning environment, a critical capability expected of graduates in their employment.

Special Consideration

You may apply for Special Consideration by using the RMIT Application Form for Special Consideration, which is available from RMIT website. The application, with relevant documentation, must be lodged with the Student Hub prior to or within 48 hours of the commencement of the assessment task in question. Applications for Special Consideration are considered by the expert panel convened by the Academic Registrar (or nominee). 

Plagiarism

You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism in oral, written or visual presentations is the presentation of the work, idea, or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing as though it is one’s own. Plagiarism is not acceptable. The use of another person’s work or ideas must be acknowledged. Failure to do so may result in charges of academic misconduct, which carry a range of penalties including cancellation of results and exclusion from your course.
You are responsible for ensuring that your work is kept in a secure place. It is also a disciplinary offence for you to allow your work to be plagiarised by another student. You should be aware of all rights and responsibilities regarding the use of copyright material.

COURSE EVALUATION & FEEDBACK

How can I let my teacher know about my experience of this course?

You may discuss this with your teacher at a mutually convenient time. The School distributes confidential course assessment forms at the end of each semester for students to complete. These are analysed and action is taken to remedy defects in teaching or course administration as required. The university also conducts student experience and satisfaction surveys during semester.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview