Course Title: Manage complex discourse settings

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: LANG5781C

Course Title: Manage complex discourse settings

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6111 - Advanced Diploma of Interpreting

Course Contact : Miranda Lai

Course Contact Phone: +(61 3) 9925 3523

Course Contact Email:miranda.lai@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Brad Paez  brad.paez@rmit.edu.au phone 99250326

James Blyth (AUSLAN only) james.blyth@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

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

None.

Course Description

This unit covers skills and knowledge required to manage the physical setting and communication dynamics of complex discourse settings, including: planning the discourse; managing the communication flow; and reviewing and evaluating the discourse management process.

This unit will be delivered in a cluster with the following unit:

LANG5785C Analyse, recall and reproduce source languages (LOTE)

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	PSPTIS610A Manage complex discourse settings
Element:	1. Plan discourse. 2. Reach agreement with participants on process. 3. Manage flow of communication. 4. Monitor progress of discourse. 5. Evaluate discourse management.
Performance Criteria:	1. Plan discourse. 1.1. Establish assignment context and requirements with client to plan to achieve desired outcomes. 1.2. Arrange work environment to facilitate effective performance and ensure safe, comfortable and effective discourse. 1.3. Prepare required resources taking into consideration the complexities of the content and context. 1.4. Identify factors that may compromise interpreter effectiveness, and make adjustments where possible. 2. Reach agreement with participants on process. 2.1. Confirm relationships between participants and participant expectations of discourse according to established protocols and practices. 2.2. Negotiate mutual agreement on purpose and process of discourse appropriate to situation and participants. 2.3. Follow interpreting protocols in a professional manner and seek and provide clarification where required. 3. Manage flow of communication. 3.1. Analyse discourse setting and communication preferences of participants and select and use appropriate interpreting mode. 3.2. Assess participant attributes and select and use communication styles effective in complex discourse settings. 3.3. Identify and address factors affecting communication flow according to established techniques. 3.4. Direct speakers on length, pace and form of delivery in a professional and courteous manner. 3.5. Adapt strategies to the requirements of equipment and technology. 4. Monitor progress of discourse. 4.1. Identify and address problems in message transfer promptly and according to established techniques to effectively transfer messages. 4.2. Monitor and influence complex interactions to ensure effective and equitable turn taking. 4.3. Identify communication challenges arising from cross-cultural settings and participant relationships and attributes, and use effective strategies to address them. 4.4. Maintain effective communication in challenging situations, and seek assistance where required from appropriate persons to manage discourse breakdown and restore communication. 4.5. Ensure conduct complies with professional standards and code of ethics. 5. Evaluate discourse management. 5.1. Seek and analyse feedback on discourse management from appropriate persons and evaluate effectiveness of performance to reflect code of ethics. 5.2. Take advice on issues and solutions and explore process improvement strategies. 5.3. Consider and implement adjustments to improve process and outcomes of future assignments.

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

In classroom situations, you will participate in role plays, simulations and various problem solving activities in small groups.  Students will also observe  each other practising in small groups and provide feedback to each other.

Scenarios may include complex family conciliation discussions bewteen several professionals and family members; medical consultations with a professional assisting a person with special needs (with carer), emergency situationns in telephone interpreting, and so on.  The scenarios are indicative only and may vary depending on specific needs of the class.

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. 

The language communication skills demonstrated during thes activities should reflect the techniques practised in class under the competency LANG5785C Analyse, recall and reproduce source languages (LOTE).

Teaching Schedule

Details of the teaching schedule will be provided by the teacher during the first week of class.

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be ongoing during the semester, and you will receive feedback on your progress. You will undertake a variety of assessment tasks and activities to assess your level of competence against key elements and performance criteria.

Asssessment tasks may include, but not limited to:

-teacher directed group activities
-practical exercises
-group discussions
-practical demonstration of skills in roleplays real or simulated activities
 

Assessment Tasks

Students will be assessed through their participation in class learning activities and homework activities to be handed in each week.


Assessment Task 1:
Teacher will provide feedback every 2 weeks in class on homework activities and class roleplays and simulations done during the previous fortnight. Students are to reflect on the feedback given by the teacher and write an action plan to address the areas for improvement identified. The action plan, including written reflection to feedback, is to be submitted in week 15. (Elements 1-5)

Assessment Task 2:
Quiz based on case studies. Students are to examine the case studies at home to prepare for quizzes in weeks 5 and 7. (Elements 1 and 2)

Assessment Task 3:
Video observation analysis. Students will analyse a video in class of an interpreter operating in a complex situation. While observing students will use a checklist to assess how effectively the interpreter manages the flow of communication. After the class, for homework, students are to reflect on their observations, then write brief comments on what specific actions they could take to improve the communication and what techniques they would use to optimise monitoring of the situation as shown in the video, referring back to the skills on the checklist. The checklist and written list of suggested improvements to be submitted in week13. (Elements 3 and 4)

Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Grading Schedule:

CHD - Competent with High Distinction
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CP - Competent with Pass
NYC - Not Yet Competent

Special Consideration:

Students may apply for Special Consideration on a range of health or compassionate grounds where they experience unexpected or extenuating circumstances. Information on ‘How to apply for Special Consideration’ can be found at http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=b1wqvnwk8aui

Special Consideration Policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y
Special Consideration Procedure: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=riderwtscifm


Extension of time for submission of assessable work:
Circumstances may arise which prevent students from completing an assessment task on time. In certain circumstances a student may be entitled to apply for an extension to the due date.
Extensions of 7 calendar days or less:
Students seeking an extension of 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the School.
Extensions of greater than 7 working days:
Students seeking an extension of more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy , preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.
Extension of time for submission of assessable work procedure: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Plagiarism:

Students 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. Students are responsible for ensuring that their work is kept in a secure place. It is also a disciplinary offence for students to allow their work to be plagiarized by another student. Students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding the use of copyright material.

RMIT Plagiarism Policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1


Complaints:

RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints.
Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable.

Student Complaints Policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=tk82eodesmot1
Student complaints Procedure: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22
Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf

Course Overview: Access Course Overview