The University of Cincinnati has a new bachelor degree to add to its already extraordinary selection of majors offered. Interpretation and deaf studies (IDS) is the latest edition to the large variety of programs provided by the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services.
Jean Koverman, assistant academic director of sign language interpreting and deaf studies, is a certified interpreter for the deaf who is helping to build this new program.
“We have two different programs running at the same time,” Koverman explained. “One is an online degree BA program for working interpreters and (the second) is an on-campus interpreting BA.”
Currently IDS is working in cooperation with Cincinnati State to provide the best education for their new students.
“Cincinnati State has a fantastic program,” Koverman said. “It seemed a natural progression to offer those wishing to further their education in sign language interpreting be afforded the opportunity to take classes in this field.”
Derek Vore is one of the first students to be enrolled in the IDS program. Formerly a Spanish major, he decided to switch because of his lack of interest in the culture.
“I was glad that they now have the interpreting program because I really like sign language,” Vore said. “If they didn’t start it I would have most likely dropped out of school.”
Vore has already experienced first hand the type of work he will be doing after graduation.
“When I was in Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness, I got to take a class where there were three interpreters in the classroom,” he explained. “There were two for the teacher and one for the students. So I got to experience the culture and the work I’d be doing first hand, while still learning about it.”
It’s not uncommon for an IDS class to be taught by a deaf instructor. A deaf teacher teaches even some of the beginner sign language classes. Despite the difficulties of having a deaf teacher, Vore says, “I could not have asked for a more knowledgeable and experienced professors.”
“I like that it’s new and that we are in a joint consultation with Cincinnati State,” he said. “We are having teacher’s from both schools teaching us and giving us the best experience we possibly could have.”
Vore has learned enough during beginner and intermediate sign language courses that Koverman and her colleagues believe that he is ready to help out the younger students. He is the only hearing person working at the American Sign Language lab.
“I enjoy tutoring baby signers,” Vore said. “It’s also a learning experience working with three other deaf students. So I’m learning a lot more vocabulary, as well as, their culture.”
Koverman says the best part of the new program has been the enthusiasm of the students.
In the next few years she hopes the new course is, “busting at the seams,” Koverman explained. “We are hopeful that by offering these courses, students will discover an interest in sign language and the Deaf community, as well as, expanding out course offerings and available degrees.”
There are three different programs being offered under the special education banner. Two BA degrees: one online while the other is on-campus, which require at least 91 credit hours in the specific field. There is also a deaf studies certificate that is a total of 30 credit hours.
For more information you can contact 513-556-6161 or email through SLIdeaf@uc.edu
(Photo: Derek Vore, far left, shows new signers the proper way the sign is performed.)
No comments:
Post a Comment