profiss

ITP-251 Professional Issues

Course Requirements & Evaluation Criteria

*****Once the class has begun a new unit, assignments will not be accepted for the units previous.

Texts:

Fischer, T. J. (1995) Establishing a freelance interpretation business: Professional guidance for sign language interpreters. Hillsboro, OR: Butte Publications, Inc.
Handouts from the Instructor.
Humphrey, J.H. (1999) Decisions? Decisions!: A practical guide for sign language professionals. Amarillo, TX: H & H Publishers
Stress Management for Dummies

Additional Resources:

Johnson, D.W. (1997) Reaching out: Interpersonal effectiveness and self-actualization (6 ed.) Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon

Internet Assignment:

Choose 5 websites which are associated with deafness
Explore each site as to content. Include any branch resources connected to each website.
Explain what each website is for.
Explain how each website could be a useful resource for you as an interpreter.

There are hundreds of resources on the Internet. Take the time to find topics which are an interest to you.

Journal for Stress Management:

Students will keep a journal during the three weeks we will be studying Stress Management. This journal should include a entry every day or every two days. Your entry should answer 4 questions:

1. What was the activating event?

The activating event is the actual event itself. Not what you perceived about the event, but “just the facts, Ma’am.”

2. My personal belief about that event was...?

What thoughts did you have about this event? What self-messages did this event trigger? “He said this, but I knew he really meant this?”

3. My emotional reaction to that belief was...?

What kind of feelings or emotions did you experience as a result of your personal belief of what was really happening in this situation?

4. The consequential behavior was...?

How did you react in this situation. In this portion of your journal, include any stress management skills which you already know or have learned in this class. If you did not employ a strategy for stress control, reflect on the situation later, when your emotions are “cooled,” and try to strategize a plan of action for the next time this situation may present itself. Remember, no one makes you mad. That is the reaction you choose for yourself.

Goal and Purpose of the Journal:

The intent of this exercise is to begin to incorporate stress control strategies in your lives which may help you now and when you are involved in a stress-producing interpreting assignment. I would also like to do some brainstorming with you in class. Maybe a situation will come up which you would not mind sharing with the class to brainstorm alternative strategies. We can learn from each other. However, bringing material to discuss in class is not a requirement. Please be aware that I will be reading the journals to evaluate your ability to incorporate these learned strategies in your daily life. No one else will be allowed to read them, and all journals will be reviewed from time to time so that I may make suggestions. All journals will be returned to their owners at the end of the grading period.

Evaluation will be made on the following criteria:

Business forms - 5 points each		45 pts
statement/invoice/bill	5
job information sheet	5
resume	5
cover letter	5
travel/meals/parking, etc. expenses sheet	5
appointment book page (daily activities for a week)	5
business card design	5
contact list	5
Internet assignment		10 pts.