Students

TRAN8086 – Auslan Interpreting in Legal Settings

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-intensive, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Della Goswell
Marc Orlando
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
TRAN869 or TRAN8069
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The aim of this unit is to provide Auslan-English interpreting students with the opportunity to discuss and practice advanced interpreting skills in the specialised area of legal interpreting. Students will analyse the complex linguistic, cultural and ethical challenges of interpreting in legal settings. Students will explore theoretical and practical aspects of the legal system in Australia, legal terminology, the roles of various participants in the legal system, and specific interpretation issues faced by Auslan interpreting practitioners in this domain.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Discuss linguistic, cultural and ethical issues faced by interpreters working in legal contexts.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the role of a legal interpreter.
  • ULO3: Identify and demonstrate appropriate interpreting techniques in different legal contexts.
  • ULO5: Explain the framework of the Australian legal system.
  • ULO4: Apply discourse analysis and self-reflection to legal interpretations.

General Assessment Information

Grades

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy. 

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor. 

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128). 

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better. 

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn. 

Late Submissions 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.   

 For example: 

Number of days (hours) late 

Total Possible Marks 

Deduction 

Raw mark 

Final mark 

1 day (1-24 hours) 

100 

75 

70 

2 days (24-48 hours) 

100 

10 

75 

65 

3 days (48-72 hours) 

100 

15 

75 

60 

7 days (144-168 hours)  

100 

35 

75 

40 

>7 days (>168 hours) 

100 

75 

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration. 

 

Examination Conduct & Conditions

1. You should only attempt an exam if you are well enough to do so. Note: Special Consideration is not normally granted if an exam has already been attempted. If you are unfit/unable to attempt the exam due to an eligible disruption, please do not attempt the exam. For information regarding Special Consideration and how attempting an exam will impact your application, refer to the Special Consideration webpage

2. In the event of illness or significant disruptions during an examination, you must promptly cease your work. If the incident occurs in an invigilated exam setting, you must inform the supervisor or invigilator immediately. If the disruption takes place outside an invigilated setting (e.g. non-invigilated timed assessment), it should be reported immediately to the appropriate course authority. Subsequently, you should promptly consult the Special Consideration webpage to review the FAQs and eligibility requirements and follow the steps to apply.

3. If you attempt an exam or timed assessment without reporting any issues during the assessment process to the supervisor or invigilator (in the case of invigilated exam) or appropriate course authority (unit convenor for example in the case of non-invigilated exam) and then apply for Special Consideration based on illness during the exam, the application will generally not be considered.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online practice postings 20% Yes Ongoing during semester
Moot court interpreting and self analysis 25% No wks 10 & 13
Court observation report 20% Yes wk 4
Legal process quizes 10% No wk 6
Police/Solicitor interview and self analysis 25% No wks 8 & 9

Online practice postings

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Ongoing during semester
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Four online postings relating unit theory to personal practice

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss linguistic, cultural and ethical issues faced by interpreters working in legal contexts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of a legal interpreter.

Moot court interpreting and self analysis

Assessment Type 1: Simulation/role play
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: wks 10 & 13
Weighting: 25%

 

A live multi-party court interpreting simulation with a judicial officer, legal representatives and one deaf (actor) plus one hearing (actor) party in a criminal matter. This assessment combines performance assessment (teacher marking of all students) with self-analysis for half the class (most experienced in legal interpreting).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of a legal interpreter.
  • Identify and demonstrate appropriate interpreting techniques in different legal contexts.
  • Apply discourse analysis and self-reflection to legal interpretations.

Court observation report

Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: wk 4
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Instead of attending a criminal legal hearing and completing a pro-forma report, students will be asked to watch an uploaded criminal case and then complete the report.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of a legal interpreter.
  • Identify and demonstrate appropriate interpreting techniques in different legal contexts.
  • Explain the framework of the Australian legal system.

Legal process quizes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: wk 6
Weighting: 10%

 

Two open-book short answer quizes relating to civil and criminal legal process

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of a legal interpreter.
  • Explain the framework of the Australian legal system.

Police/Solicitor interview and self analysis

Assessment Type 1: Simulation/role play
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: wks 8 & 9
Weighting: 25%

 

A live dialogic interpreting simulation with either a police officer or a solicitor conducting an interview with a deaf client (actor). This assessment combines performance assessment (teacher marking of all students) with self-analysis for half the class (least experienced in legal interpreting).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of a legal interpreter.
  • Identify and demonstrate appropriate interpreting techniques in different legal contexts.
  • Apply discourse analysis and self-reflection to legal interpretations.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This unit is delivered in blended mode, with weekly online asynchronous lectures (via iLearn), synchronous online and on-campus face-to-face workshop sessions. The workshop sessions provide practice and feedback opportunities.

ILearn provides the weekly lecture materials, access to readings (via Leganto) and video resources related to the topic areas. Please refer to the iLearn site for further course details.

Active participation in the learning activities is required throughout the unit, including regular postings.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Inclusion & DIversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.  

Professionalism

Attendance and participation 

In the Translation and Interpreting program, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all classes and engage in online learning activities.  As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session. 

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know. 


Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook