Undergraduate Course Catalog 2008-2009
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
» http://www.unhm.unh.edu
Sign Language Interpretation
» http://www.unhm.unh.edu/programs/sli/index.html
Assistant Professor: Jack E. Hoza
Lecturer: Patrick F. McCarthy
The sign language interpretation program at UNH Manchester is a specialized, in-depth program with a national reputation for quality; it 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. Students also develop 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 general education 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.
B.S. Sign Language Interpretation Program of Study
Students must complete 64 credits in the major, 40 credits in the University’s general education 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 8 SLI courses at UNH Manchester.
Minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
Students must complete 24 credits to earn a minor. Coursework includes three required courses and three electives in ASL and Deaf Studies.
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 for Interpreters*†
INTR 539, Comparative Linguistic Analysis for Interpreters*†
Culture Courses
INTR 438, A Sociocultural Perspective on the Deaf Community*†
INTR 658, Deaf/Hearing Cultural Dynamics*†
Interpreting Courses
INTR 430, Introduction to Interpretation*
INTR 439, Ethics & 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*
INTR 735, Field Experience and Seminar II*
For more information about the sign language interpretation program, contact Professor Jack Hoza, program director, (603) 641-4143, e-mail jack.hoza@unh.edu. Or contact the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions at (603) 641-4150, e-mail unhm.admissions@unh.edu.
* Required for the B.S.
† Meets the requirements for the minor.
