Proposed Course Sequence:

AVAILABLE FALL 2009: Introduction to Interpreting in Video Settings students learn the history and business aspects of the field, and will consider ethical practices, impact on community, and theoretical models of service and practice.

Ethical and Professional Foundations in Video Interpreting course, like the Action Research course below, is a “bridge” course with an existing MIP class. Once the core of this class is completed, students will be allowed to focus on issues specific to Ethics and Video Interpreting.

Interpreting for the Camera students will explore the new world of interpreting via video technology. Recommended for students with some experience in video interpreting, this is a practical skills course wherein students will submit and review video exercises, and begin to develop qualitative rubrics of their work.

Action Research in Interpreting is a “bridge” course that introduces the basic precepts of action research as a tool for interpreters to use in individual inquiry into the field of interpreting. In the second part of the course, students will design their own research projects. Emphasis will be on work in video venues, but students are free to choose for themselves which aspect of interpreting to pursue.

Faculty: The instructor and curriculum designer for this course is Rico Peterson. Dr. Peterson is uniquely qualified to teach this subject, having worked as a professor of interpreter education for over 20 years. He has taught at Gallaudet College, Mesa College, San Diego State University, University of the Redlands, Riverside Community College, and, since 2005, at Northeastern University. From 2000 to 2005, he was the Chair of the Department of American Sign Language and Interpreter Education at NTID. He holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of California at Riverside.

In addition to his academic background, Rico has extensive experience as an interpreter since earning his CSC in 1979. Most significant here is the six years he has spent as an interpreter working in video relay settings. In that time he has logged over 5,000 hours as a VI, handling an estimated 40,000+ calls. Rico is the author of The Unlearning Curve: Learning to Learn American Sign Language and a co-author of the ASL curriculum ASL at Work.

We are currently exploring the potential for establishing this Program of Study as a Certificate Program at Northeastern University. If you would be interested in enrolling in this program, please click here.