The Associate of Arts Degree in Foundations of Interpreting will prepare students interested in laying a foundation for further study and for a baccalaureate degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting from a four-year college or university. With a degree in interpreting, students will be prepared for employment anywhere Deaf people are present. This includes a range of possibilities from potentially interpreting for the President of the United States of America to guiding a kindergarten student on coloring inside the lines. In addition to acquiring entry level skills in the process of interpreting, students will learn important business and ethical practices. By completion of specific General Education courses, this program fulfills many of the requirements and foundation courses for transfer to baccalaureate in Sign Language Interpreting majors.
Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.Course | Units | Typically Offered |
1st Semester | ||
ASL 101 - American Sign Language I (RHC GE 7b)M | 4.5 | |
ASL 101 - American Sign Language I (4.5 units) Advisory: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement; READ 043 or appropriate placement This course will provide an introduction to American Sign Language, emphasizing receptive and expressive skills. The use of facial expressions during signing will also be addressed. Students will be exposed to deaf culture experiences in the classroom and other environments. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in American Sign Language via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. This course is designed for students who want to learn how to communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. | ||
ENGL 101 - College Composition and ResearchGE | 3.5 | |
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units) Prerequisite: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement This is a composition course that enables students to generate logical, coherent essays and reports necessary to academic and professional success. Students will become proficient in research techniques, learn critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections, and apply these skills to creating original essays and a final research paper. The lab component of this course is designed to assist students in improving and refining their writing and language skills. Students will complete lab activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct documentation form. Students will meet with composition instructors through individual conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication. | ||
RHC GE 2 - Math CompetencyGE | 3.0† | |
† some classes may have higher units. Note: Students intending to transfer should begin at transfer level math. Transfer math courses are numbered 100+. Please meet with a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
RHC GE 8b - Communication/Analytical ThinkingGE | 3.0† | |
Notes: Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 14.0† | |
2nd Semester | ||
ASL 102 - Ameican SIign Language IIM | 4.5 | |
ASL 102 - Ameican SIign Language II (4.5 units) Prerequisite:ASL 101,(formerly ASL 149) or two years of high school ASL with a "C" or better or successfully pass an interview and comprehensive exam developed by the department demonstrating competency of the skills required in an ASL I course. This course will provide a continuation to American Sign Language I (ASL 101), emphasizing receptive and expressive skills. The use of facial expressions during signing will also be addressed. Students will be exposed to deaf culture experiences in the classroom and other environments. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. This course is designed for students who want to learn how to communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. | ||
Select one: ENGL 127 / ENGL 127H M | 3.0 | |
ENGL 127 - Language Structure and Language Use: Introduction to Linguistics (3.0 units) Prerequisite: ENGL 035 or ENLA 100 or appropriate placement This course explores the nature and structure of world languages. Students will study whole language development through discourse and semantics. The structure of words, which includes phonology, morphology, and how words are used together in sentences, syntax, will also be explored. The tool to decode worldwide sounds, the International Phonetic Alphabet, will be a key element in the course. Students will also discuss the difference between learning a language and acquiring a language. This course is beneficial for future teachers and for those majoring in any foreign language, English, communications, and anthropology. ENGL 127H - Language Structure & Language Use: Introduction to Linguistics Honors (3.0 units) Prerequisite: ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better This course explores the nature and structure of world languages and students will study language development through discourse and semantics as well as language use. The structure of words, which includes phonology, morphology, and how words are used together in sentences, syntax, will also be explored. A tool to decode worldwide sounds, the International Phonetic Alphabet, will be a key element in the course. Students will also discuss the difference between learning a language and acquiring language. This course is beneficial for future teachers and for those majoring in any foreign language, English, communications, and anthropology. This course is designed for students eligible for the Honors Program. | ||
RHC GE 5 - Natural Science with LabGE | 4.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one Natural Science with Lab: | ||
RHC GE 7a - Fine ArtsGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
Total Semester Units: | 14.5 | |
Summer 1 | ||
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE | 1.0 | |
Select one: KINA or DANC activity course. | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 4.0 | |
3rd Semester | ||
ASL 201 - American Sign Language IIIM | 4.5 | |
ASL 201 - American Sign Language III (4.5 units) Prerequisite: ASL 102 This course will focus on refining students’ knowledge of the grammatical structure and lexicon of American Sign Language as these things relate to its historical, artistic, and cultural influence in mainstream society, with an emphasis on receptive/expressive conversational and cultural skills for communication. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. | ||
ASL 124 - Deaf CultureM | 3.0 | |
ASL 124 - Deaf Culture (3.0 units) Prerequisite/Corequisite: ASL 102 This course will cover basic information and research on deaf culture, deaf children and their upbringing, deaf education, the importance of American Sign Language to the deaf community, deaf societies around the world, and advances in and usage of technology for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The course will focus on research and progress within deaf culture. This course will be taught using a combination of American Sign Language and spoken English and, depending on the instructor, may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures. | ||
ASL 211 - Beginning Interpreting + Ethics 1M | 3.0 | |
ASL 211 - Beginning Interpreting + Ethics 1 (3.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 102 In this course, students survey basic theories, principles, and practices of interpreting/transliterating, including basic ethical considerations, a historical overview of the interpreting profession, and discuss the professional role of the interpreter. Students begin the development of interpreting/transliterating processing skills. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English, and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor. | ||
RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE | 3.0 | |
Notes: "All CSU campuses have a graduation requirement in American Institutions. Students may choose one of the following US History courses to partially fulfill this requirement: HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170." “These courses may be used to partially satisfy Humanities and/or Social Sciences requirements for CSU GE or IGETC.” Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE | 1.0 | |
Select one: KINA or DANC activity course. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 14.5 | |
4th Semester | ||
ASL 202 - American Sign Language IVM | 4.5 | |
ASL 202 - American Sign Language IV (4.5 units) Prerequisite: ASL 201 This course will provide a continuation to American Sign Language III (ASL 201). The course will focus on the use of American Sign Language in practical applications through discussing relevant topics like math, current events, arts, and various other topics, with an emphasis on applying the language in real world interactions. In addition to classroom discussion, students will receive intensive individualized practice in the language laboratory via interactive websites, video programs, and CD-ROMs. | ||
ASL 212 - Beginning Interpreting + Ethics 2M | 3.0 | |
ASL 212 - Beginning Interpreting + Ethics 2 (3.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 201, 211 In this course, students will continue to learn theories, principles, and practices of interpreting/transliterating including more complex ethical considerations, a current overview of the interpreting profession, and discuss the professional role of the interpreter in today's workforce. This course is designed to allow students to pursue a degree in ASL interpreting. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor.> | ||
ASL 220 - Pathways to Interpreting CareersM | 2.0 | |
ASL 220 - Pathways to Interpreting Careers (2.0 units) Prerequisite: ASL 201, 211 In this course students will learn business practices in the profession of interpreting. They will explore various career paths available to ASL interpreters from staff positions to independent contractors. Students will learn legal considerations within the state of California and beyond as they apply to interpreting. This course will be taught using a combination of ASL and spoken English and may or may not have interpreters facilitating the lectures depending on the instructor. | ||
RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral ScienceGE | 3.0 | |
Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite. Select one: | ||
ElectiveEL | 3.0 | |
Select any course that is numbered 40 or above. Please see a counselor to discuss course options. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 15.5 | |
Total Units for American Sign Language/Foundations of Interpreting AA program | 62.5† | |
† | Some classes may have higher units |
M | Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement |
GE | General Education course |
EL | Elective Course |
Students will possess a strong foundation in the skills needed to provide ASL/English interpreting.
Students will meet the entrance expectations for a bachelor degree in ASL/English interpreting at a 4-year university.
Students will possess the necessary, industry-specific business skills to work as a professional interpreter after mastering the interpreting skill set.
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
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Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.
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