SPAN 351
Spanish Interpreting I
Instructor: Prof. Loida Slade
SPAN 351 introduces students to the theory and practice of interpreting in community-based settings (social services, community clinic, immigration agency, police station, etc.). The course emphasizes targeted readings, class discussions, thematic workshops, role-plays and hands-on practice. Throughout the course of the semester, students are expected to be familiar with several aspects surrounding the profession of the community interpreter and to successfully communicate messages in community-based settings. By the end of the semester, students will be able to discuss several aspects surrounding the practice of interpreting for the community using the terminology of the field, and to successfully transfer a message across language barriers in different community-based settings. Successful completion of this course requires that students have an advanced command of the Spanish and English languages at written and aural levels, and advanced cultural competencies in English and in Spanish. Although Spanish 351 isn’t a “traditional” language course in the strict sense of the word, students’ reading and writing skills should improve as they practice the art of interpreting. The languages of instruction will be Spanish and English, depending on the activities being discussed and the languages involved.
Prerequisite: SPAN 300; or permission from the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite