Spring 2006
SPAN 475
This intensive six credit undergraduate certificate program has been especially designed to provide qualified applicants within the New England area with a comprehensive introduction to professional court interpretation. The program teaches the fundamentals of theory and practice through classroom discussion and activities, as well as through laboratory exercises designed to develop interpreting proficiency. Novice and experienced interpreters will benefit equally from extensive practice. Students will devote additional time out of class to court visits and to fulfill oral and written assignments.
OPTION I:
FULL ONE-SEMESTER COURSE
Upon successful completion of all course requirements, students enrolled in the full course (Option I) will receive 6 undergraduate credits. In addition, Option I students who pass the final oral exam will be awarded an academic certificate. Those students who do not pass the final oral exam but who otherwise complete the program successfully will receive a Letter of Completion from the Department of Hispanic Studies. Option I is available also as a non-credit course.
OPTION II:
ENROLLMENT IN AN EIGHT-SATURDAY WORKSHOP SERIES ONLY
The course offers a non-credit Option II for practicing interpreters who want to enroll only to eight-Saturday workshops. Option II consists of eight sessions, five (5) hours each, devoted mostly to the practice of consecutive interpretation, concentrating on memory-building exercises and note-taking techniques. Option II will also include an interpreter ethics session, a simultaneous interpretation workshop and practice of consecutive and simultaneous interpretation.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
The course is ideal for language-skilled individuals interested in pursuing interpretation professionally, and for interpreters who are seeking to improve their interpreting competency. Although prior interpreting experience is not required, only applicants who can demonstrate a high level of oral and written proficiency in English and in Spanish will be admitted to the course. Please understand that applicants who do not meet the minimum standards of language proficiency or general skills essential to compete successfully for the certificate may not be admitted to Option I.
Minimum requirements from Option I applicants:
to hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent or to be working towards completing one;
to pass a written and oral screening exam in English and in Spanish. Exceptions may apply with applicants who can present proof of advanced written and oral proficiency in both languages.
Minimum requirements for Option II applicants:to hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent or to be working towards completing one;
to have a background in legal or medical interpretation, either from the actual practice of it or from courses taken.
COURSE SCHEDULE, FEES AND APPLICATION INFORMATION
OPTION I
The full course runs from January 28 to May 13, 2006 with a one-week recess for spring break. It consists of weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 6:00 - 9:00PM, and on Saturdays from 10:00AM - 3:00PM. The program fee for Option I is $2,100.00.
Option I dates, including all Wednesdays and all Saturdays are:
January 28
February 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25
March 1, 4, 8, 11, 22, 25, and 29* (*March 15 and 18: Spring Recess)
April 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29
May 3, 6, 10, 13
OPTION II
The eight-Saturday workshops included in Option II run from February through April,10:00AM - 3:00PM. The program fee for Option II is $795.00.
Option II Eight Saturdays are:
Specific dates will be posted shortly.
FOR INFORMATION AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
For application materials, and to submit a completed application, please contact:
Peggy Fitzgerald, Department of Hispanic Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston
McCormack 4th floor, Room 618
100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125-3393
Phone: 617-287-7550
Email: Margaret.Fitzgerald@umb.edu
For information on program contents, please contact:
Leonor Figueroa-Feher, Ph.D., Coordinator, Phone: 617-522-8727 (Please, leave message on voice mail.) Email: figuefeher@yahoo.com
For more information, visit the web site of the Division of Corporate, Continuing and Distance education: www.ccde.umb.edu