Course Title: Ethics and Professional Practice
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2010
Course Code: LANG5398
Course Title: Ethics and Professional Practice
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 9925 0362
Course Contact Email:brad.paez@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Mr Brad Paez brad.paez@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 170
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
The course provides students with an overview of the ethical and professional framework which affects interpreting and translation practice, and to provide a reflective approach to enhance their professional practice and development.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBN934 Ethics and Professional Practice |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Outline the philosophical underpinnings of ethics in professional practice.
- Examine and apply ethical frameworks of professional translating and interpreting practice.
- Identify potential conflict situations and apply appropriate resolution strategies, and reflect on professional and industrial issues in the translating and interpreting profession.
- Engage in reflective learning to further develop interpreting and translation practice.
- Explain the business frameworks under which interpreting and translating professionals are required to operate.
Details of Learning Activities
1. The course has a total of 170 nominal hours, of which 120 hours are an embedded mandatory practicum/work assessment component. These 120 hours are designed to provide you with, as closely as possible, real-life experience on how professional translators and interpreters work in the field. Roughly one third of the 120 hours will be allocated to interpreting activities, while the remaining hours on translating activities, reflecting the structure of the Advanced Diploma which offers 1 interpreting course and 2 translation courses.
2. This course is delivered in the following combination of teacher-directed/guided and learner–directed ctivities:
Full-time stream
• Teacher-directed timetabled classroom lectures, tutorials, group work and guest lecturer presentations (2.5 hrs x 16 teaching weeks) 40 hrs
• Teacher-directed timetabled ethics workshops for practicum (1.5 hrs x 16 teaching weeks) 24 hrs
• Learner-directed and teacher-guided timetabled practicum activities – onsite (2 hrs x 16 teaching weeks) 32 hrs
• Learner-directed practicum activities – offsite (4 hrs x 16 teaching weeks) 64 hrs
• Exams and feedback 10 hrs
Part-time stream
• Teacher-directed timetabled classroom lectures, tutorials, group work and guest lecturer presentations (1 hrs x 14 teaching weeks x 2 semesters) 28 hrs
• Learner-directed study (0.5 hrs x 14 teaching weeks x 2 semesters) 14 hrs
• Learner-directed practicum activities – offsite (interpreting x 10 hours, translation x 40 hours)
• Learner-directed industry practicum placement – offsite (2 weeks) 70 hours
• Exams and feedback 8 hrs
3. In teacher-directed timetabled classroom situations, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the nature of professions and professional ethics in general, and the nature and professional ethics of the translating and interpreting profession in particular. You will develop an appreciation of the rationales, parameters and criteria used internationally to derive ethical professional frameworks, and will be introduced to appropriate methodologies to enable you to engage in ethical professional decision making and conduct.
4. In teacher-directed timetabled ethics workshops for practicum, you will be working with the teacher/guest speakers on a series of real-life case studies, where you have the chance to apply your understanding and reflection of what you have learned in the course to engage in discussions and debate. Your teacher will then analyse the cases and provide feedback and advice to form the basis of your future professional conduct as a professional translator and interpreter.
5. In both on-site and off-site learner–directed practicum activities, you will work on a combination of interpreting and translating tasks simulating real life work situations so you gain a comprehensive appreciation of how professional interpreters and translators operate.
6. Industry-based practicum placement is only applicable to Part-Time students where you may be placed with an employer to observe and / or undertake relevant interpreting and translating activities under supervision.
Teaching Schedule
| Week Number / Week Statring | Ethics and Professional Practice |
| Week 1 |
Course Introduction and Overview • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 2 |
Brief historical overview of the T & I profession in Australia and overseas • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 3 |
Introduction to key concepts • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 4 |
Analysing the Interpreter’s Code of Ethics • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 5 |
Understanding Pre-Existing Relationships • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 6 |
The Interpreted Interview in Police Interview Settings • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 7 |
Interpreting in Court Settings • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 8 |
Preparing for Business: essentials for interpreters as sole traders: workshop on how to set up financial. Legal and administrative business processes. • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Semester Break | Semester Break |
| Week 9 |
The Ideals of Objectivity and Accuracy • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 10 |
Ethics for translators • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 11 |
Notion of the Invisibility of the Translator/Interpreter: Business Interpreting and Literary Translation Case Studies • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 12 |
Professionalisation (part 1) Tseng’s Theory applied to Australian context • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 13 |
Professionalisation (part 2) NAATI Revalidation, AUSIT Senior Practitioner • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 14 |
Knowledge Transfer and Management of Information • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 15 |
LO 2 Assessment ( in class) • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 16 |
Feedback on LO2. Course review and evaluation (formal and informal) • The dlievery incorporates a 1.5 hrs teacher-directed ethics workshop for practicum. |
| Week 17 | Exam Period Commences |
| Week 18 | Exam Period |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Reader - LANG5398 Ethics and Professional Practice |
References
Other Resources
Access to reading and video provided via Blackboard .
Overview of Assessment
Two Learning Outcome tasks.
Assessment Tasks
Learning Outcome 1 (50%, one group to present each week from week 2 to week 14)
Each group will present a short talk of 30 min in front of the class detailing their response to a specific scenario involving ethical decision making. The scenario will be selected from health, legal or business situations. Scenarios may be chosen from practicum activities but each group member must contribute equally to the LO. The presentation must include:
1. Evidence of research into the ethical principles. The main principles must be named and explained clearly. Each group member must do some research and provide this in writing to class lecturer, either in English or LOTE;and
2. A form of visual and verbal presentation explaining the action taken to resolve the ethical dilemma. Each team member must contribute to the class presentation which must be in English. The class must understand the ethical principles guiding the action, and the class will be permitted to ask questions at the end of the presentation.
Learning Outcome 2 (50%, conducted over 2 hours in class in week 15)
A written task, involving writing a short essay on one ethical scenario chosen from a short list of different situations. This will be an open book exam.
Students will be expected to work out the main ethical principles to consider and the role of the interpreter in the scenario, exlain what these mean in the situation, and then describe action that should be take towards solving ethical challenges presented in the scenario.
Practicum Journal (satisfactory / unsatisfactory)
Students are required to keep a journal (up to 1,000 words) to record practicum activities / placement and demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on their experience as this is an important competency in practice. For part-time students who complete a placement, the attendance verification report signed by supervisors of the provider must be submitted as well. The content of the journal will be assessed satisfactory / unsatisfactory. Students who are gvien unsatisfactory assessment will not be able to receive a final mark for this course. It is the student’s responsibility to seek feedback from the teacher in order to ascertain where the insufficiency occurs and how to rectify the issues identified. A resubmission is necesarry until a satisfactory assessment is achieved.
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 College also conducts student experience and satisfaction surveys during semester.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview