Course Title: Manage complex discourse settings

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: LANG5781C

Course Title: Manage complex discourse settings

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6134 - 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

Liam McCaul (liam.mccaul@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 course describes the outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage the physical setting and communication dynamics of discourses in complex settings. It requires knowledge of the nature and structure of complex interpersonal, institutional and meeting dynamics and the ability to apply effective solutions to challenges that arise during the discourse. The course includes planning the discourse, managing the communication flow, and reviewing and evaluating the discourse management process.

The complex setting may create additional demands in managing the discourse. The physical elements of the setting or number of parties involved can challenge the capacity of the interpreter to manage the discourse. 

This course will be taught in a cluster with the following courses:

  • LANG5765C Analyse, recall and reproduce source messages
  • LANG5781C Manage discourse in complex discourse settings


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PSPTIS610A Manage complex discourse settings

Element:

1. Plan discourse

Performance Criteria:

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.

Element:

2. Reach agreement with participants on process

Performance Criteria:

2.1.         Confirm relationships between and with 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.

Element:

3. Manage flow of communication

Performance Criteria:

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.

Element:

4. Monitor progress of discourse

Performance Criteria:

4.1.         Identify and address problems in message transfer promptly and according to established techniques.
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.

Element:

5. Evaluate discourse management

Performance Criteria:

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

Learning activities for full time delivery may include English into English and LOTE into LOTE comprehension exercises, note-taking practice, reproduction exercises. These activities may be incorporated into the language proficiency exercises and dialogue/monolingual interpreting exercises. Learning activities for online group are listed on the blackboard shell for the program in a folder titled “Learning Activities”. Each activity requires students to undertake a task and report back. Activities may include quizzes, site visits, discussion board entries, research reports, journals, live video/phone or recorded practical demonstrations.
 


Teaching Schedule

The delivery of this unit will be clustered with the LANG5765C Analyse, recall and reproduce source messages (LOTE) unit. 

Class Units                        Elements                                                                               Content                                                                              Other Events              
1 LANG5765C

LANG5781C
(students exempted from LANG5765C must attend this class)

LANG5765C
1. Analyse source messages.
2. Recall source messages.
3. Reproduce source messages.

LANG5781C
1. Plan discourse
2. Reach agreement with participants on process
3. Manage flow of communication
4. Monitor progress of discourse.
5. Evaluate discourse management

  • Introduction to Course and assessments
  • Intro to Lang5765C & LANG5781 Elements and Performance Criteria
 
2 LANG5765C 1. Analyse source messages
2. Recall source messages
  • Analysing through notetaking
  • Notetaking principles and practice for monologue interpreting
  • BPSE structure. What is it & how do we identify it
 
3 LANG5781C
(students exempted from LANG5765C must attend this class)
 1. Plan discourse
2. Reach agreement with participants on process
3. Manage flow of communication
4. Monitor progress of discourse.
5. Evaluate discourse management.
  • Analysis of complex discourse in the health, business and legal fields
  • Interpreting protocols
     

AT 1 Online Quiz Open  (part 1 -LANG5765C)

4  LANG5765C 1. Analyse source messages.
2. Recall source messages.
3. Reproduce source messages.
  • Formal and informal registers. Practice using sample dialogue / monologue
     
AT1 Online Quiz Open  (part 2 -LANG5781C)
5 LANG5781C
(students exempted from LANG5765C must attend this class)
1. Plan discourse
2. Reach agreement with participants on process
3. Manage flow of communication
4. Monitor progress of discourse.
5. Evaluate discourse management.
 
  • Examination of linguistically complex discourse in a complex setting.
  • Language sills required to achieve competent performance in a complex and demanding setting
AT 2 (Produce a 60 word speech)
6 LANG5765C

LANG5781C
(students exempted from LANG5765C must attend this class)

 LANG5765C
1. Analyse source messages.
2. Recall source messages.
3. Reproduce source messages.

LANG5781C
1. Plan discourse
2. Reach agreement with participants on process
3. Manage flow of communication
4. Monitor progress of discourse.
5. Evaluate discourse management.

  • Notetaking acitivity: practical demonstration and in class and peer review in class.
  • Examination of the complexities of interpreting in the health, legal and business domains.
AT 3 (150 word speech, peer review task)

AT 4 (Quiz for LANG5781) due by end of semester 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Learning material will be provided in class.


References


Other Resources

The unit is supported online using Blackboard. The Blackboard gives access to important announcements, staff contacts details, the teaching schedule, assessment timelines and a variety of important teaching and learning materials. Access to Blackboard can be found at myRMIT www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit


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

You must complete all FOUR assessment tasks satisfactorily to be assessed Competent for this unit and the cluster.

Assessment Task 1 (to be completed by end of the week of classes 3 & 4, or otherwise confirmed by instructor )

  • Online quiz based on class materials provided by instructor to test your underpinning knowledge. Part 1 for LANG5765C, Part 2 for LANG5781C.

Assessment Task 2 (due by the end of week of class 5, or otherwise confirmed by instructor)

  • Produce a 60 word speech in English and LOTE, in informal and formal registers on the same topic. Further instructions and information will be provided by instructor in class.
  • Submission of this assessment is via uploading the audio files to a designated repository. Submission must be accompanied by a completed Cover Sheet for Submission of Work for Assessment downloadable via http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s1llva641yxuz.pdf

Assessment Task 3 (due by the end of week of class 6)

  • Listen to English and LOTE audio files of 100 words. Reproduce in the same language and complete peer review. Further instructions and information will be provided by instructor in class.
  • Submission of this assessment is via uploading the audio files and peer review received to a designated repository. Submission must be accompanied by a completed Cover Sheet for Submission of Work for Assessment downloadable via http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s1llva641yxuz.pdf

Assessment Task 4 (due by end of semester)

  • An online quiz bsed on the elements and performance criteria of LANG5781C followed by online feedback.

GRADING INFORMATION

This course uses a competency-based assessment and will be graded as follows:

  • CA (Competency Achieved)
  • NYC (Not Yet Competent)
  • DNS (Did Not Submit)

All competency-based assessment tasks for this course must be completed at the required level (see the elements and key performance criteria for each unit) in order to achieve a CA (Competency Achieved) award.

If a student has not completed ALL the assessment tasks or they have completed but some or all are not at the required level, they will be assessed as NYC (Not Yet Competent).

If a student does not submit assessment tasks at all, a DNS result will be entered.

 Important: Students must complete each and every assessment and be assessed competent in each and every assessment in order to pass the relevant unit(s) and the whole cluster.


Assessment Matrix

ElementsAssessment task 1Assessment task 2Assessment task 3Assessment task 4
Plan discourse X X - X
Reach agreement with participants on process X X - X
Manage flow of communication X X - X
Monitor progress of discourse. X X - X
Evaluate discourse management X X - X

Other Information

OTHER INFORMATION

Learning Resources -RMIT Library
The University Library provides extensive services, facilities and study space as well as comprehensive collections of books, periodicals and other course related materials, such as DVD’s, magazines, slides, films etc. Computer laboratories with access to a wide range of desktop publishing software are also available. The library also has an expanding virtual collection of electronic resources and networks, including product data, e-books, electronic journals and newspapers, web based tutorials, online reference and document delivery services etc., all of which are accessible on campus, and off campus 24 hours per day. More information on library resources and services can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library
The Learning Lab is a collection of web-based resources including tip sheets and interactive tutorials on study skills, writing, English language development and maths. Access RMIT’s Learning Lab online via this link: http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/

Applying for an Extension
Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. An application for extension of time must be lodged with your tutor or the course coordinator as early as possible, and no later than one working day before the due date for submission.
You can apply for extension using the University’s Extension Application Form – http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf – or by emailing your course coordinator or tutor directly.
An extension of up to seven calendar days may be granted if good reason can be demonstrated. Include supporting evidence (such as medical certificates) with your application.
Extensions beyond seven calendar days cannot be granted by course coordinators, tutors or the School. To apply for an extension of time greater than seven calendar days you must lodge an application for Special Consideration.
Applying for Special Consideration
If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration 


No assessment task shall be accepted more than three weeks after the due date without special consideration.


Assessment Appeals
If you believe your assessment result or final result is wrong please contact the course coordinator and provide the reason why you think your result is incorrect. Valid reasons for seeking a review of results include:
a) You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
b) You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
c) You believe the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred).
Full details of the procedure (including appeals procedure) can be located at this RMIT site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment

Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source.
If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/info-trek/referencing
Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable.
Examples of plagiarism include:
Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;

  • Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
  • Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
  • Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
  • Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
  • Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and
  • Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
  • Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence
     

For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy – http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 – and the RMIT Student Discipline Statute and Regulations - http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=11jgnnjgg70y

Plagiarism Software
The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com

Complaints Procedure:
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/policies/studentcomplaintspolicy
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