Form C4
1. Course
Code
C48BL
2. Course
BSL Studies Advanced 1
Title
School of Management and Languages
3. SCQF 8
Level
6. Course
Gary Quinn
Co-ordinator
5. School
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Version 4.0 (2010/2011)
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor Template
4. Credits
30
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Approved Learning Partner
Sem…1
Sem…….
Sem………..
Sem……..
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Name …………………………………Sem………..
8. Pre-requisites
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
10. Excluded Courses
C48BM BSL Studies Advanced 2 (synoptic)
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
N/A
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
UG only
PG only
UG & PG
MA in Languages (Interpreting and Translating); MA in
Applied Languages and Translating (if students are taking
BSL as one of their languages)
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
15. Aims
BSL Production
•
•
To enable students to reach an advanced level of competence in the prepared and spontaneous production of BSL, which is accurate and appropriate in a variety of given contexts.
To foster students’ abilities to produce BSL using a range of signed and nonverbal cultural and pragmatic conventions adequate for embarking upon a course of placements and for embarking upon
translation and interpreting tasks.
•
To foster the ability to perform a number of task-related activities in an appropriate, coherent and communicative fashion including the ability to present information to an audience; the ability to participate
actively in discussions, negotiations; decision-making processes.
BSL Reception
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To foster students’ abilities to comprehend both recorded and live-produced BSL texts, some of which are of a complex nature.
•
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To foster students’ abilities to produce translations, working from BSL source texts into English and produce short translations appropriate to specific purposes competently.
To improve BSL comprehension to a level adequate for embarking upon translation and interpreting tasks and for embarking upon a course of placement.
To consolidate students’ familiarity with authentic BSL discourse in a variety of contexts.
To foster the ability to select information and to summarise BSL texts.
To foster the acquisition of the skills of summarising and/or report-writing for specific purposes, working from BSL into English.
To reinforce students’ knowledge and understanding of the contemporary institutions and affairs of the British Deaf community.
To foster students’ ability to understand the most common dialects and modes of communication used by the British Deaf community.
Translation skills
To foster students’ abilities to produce translations, working from English source texts into recorded BSL.
To introduce the specialist skills of translating by ensuring that (a) students are able to identify and attempt to resolve translating difficulties; (b) students are able to use the appropriate terminology in
discussion of translating problems encountered.
•
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Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor Template
Version 4.0 (2010/2011)
BSL Linguistics
•
•
•
•
•
•
To provide students with a solid foundation in the understanding of a range of linguistic aspects of sign languages
To enable students to create a solid awareness of the sociolinguistic situation of signing communities
To provide students with the basic tools and categories for further study of sign language aspects and possible applications
To develop students language awareness and to encourage reflection on their own and others’ use of language
To consolidate students’ skills to develop critical reflections of sign linguistic issues, including library research, critical reading, advanced literacy skills, problem-solving activities and academic writing.
To build on advanced literacy and communication skills needed for academic and professional life
16.
BSL Production and Reception
A series of workshops involving a variety of activities producing BSL (argumentation, presentation, discussion) and exercising the reception of BSL texts based on a variety of topics. Students are expected to carry
out necessary preparatory research for classes using a variety of sources in BSL and English.
Language Competence
A series of workshops will provide a forum for introduction, revision and exercise of BSL grammatical structures, some of which are advanced and complex. Students will be given preparation work and exercises to
be completed outside class hours.
Translation skills
A series of workshops will introduce students to inter-lingual summarising and translation techniques and strategies and provide translation exercises and a forum for analysis of translation performance. Video and
other recorded material is provided for class preparation and follow-up which students are expected to work on outside class.
BSL Linguistics
The syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:
•
Phonological aspects of sign languages
•
Pragmatic aspects of sign languages
•
Morphological aspects of sign languages
•
Language acquisition in the context of Deaf communities
•
Semantic aspects of sign languages
•
Sociolinguistic aspects of sign languages
•
Syntactic structures of sign languages
•
Language ideologies and power in the context of sign languages
•
Issues of bilingualism
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills
•
•
•
•
•
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Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Undertake critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of ideas, concepts, information, and issues relating to Deaf culture.
Use a range of routine skills, techniques, practices and materials associated with communicating in BSL as well translating and interpreting between BSL and English, some of which
are advanced or complex.
Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the scope, defining features, and main areas of sign linguistics.
Demonstrate detailed knowledge in some areas of sign linguistics, including a limited range of core theories, principles and concepts, and some limited knowledge of current issues
and specialisms.
Demonstrate ability to explain some key concepts in sign linguistics and the ability to understand and analyse some of the debates which exist within sign linguistics and
sociolinguistics
Be able to undertake critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of key issues and concepts in the field of sign linguistics, using appropriate academic language and concepts.
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Form C4
Version 4.0 (2010/2011)
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor Template
Personal Abilities
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
Communication, Numeracy & ICT
Convey complex information in English and BSL in various modes of discourse to a range of audiences and for a range of purposes.
Take continuing account of own and others’ roles, responsibilities and contributions in carrying out and evaluating translating tasks.
Deal with professional issues in translating in accordance with current practices under guidance.
Exercise autonomy and initiative in carrying out research activities.
Take continuing account of own and others’ roles, responsibilities and contributions in carrying out certain tasks.
Identify and use reference sources effectively
Be able to demonstrate an ability to approach problem-solving, working independently or with others
Have developed communication, presentation and advanced literacy skills
18. Assessment Methods
Method
19. Re-assessment Methods
Duration of Exam
Weighting (%)
Synoptic courses?
Method
(if applicable)
Continuous Assessment 100%
Duration of Exam
Diet(s)
(if applicable)
40% of synoptic
C48BM2
Resit Synoptic Exam
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
March 2013
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
September 2013
Version
Number
3/3
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