The closely related fields of translation and interpreting are becoming increasingly important in today's society. With the growing importance of Spanish, the need for qualified interpreters and translators continues to rise. The translation and interpretation program at Northwestern College has been developed to equip you with the necessary knowledge, tools and abilities to become a competent medical and legal interpreter and translator.
Successful professional interpreters and translators have a wide range of knowledge in many subject areas. As such, a liberal arts education is key to future success in the field, and as an interpretation and translation student, you are encouraged to take additional courses in different subject areas. Furthermore, the nine specific courses in translation and interpretation are designed to give you the necessary theoretical platform for successful translation and interpreting. As you advance through the program, you will learn to apply the theoretical principles as well as the knowledge acquired in other liberal arts courses in order to achieve superior translation and interpreting outcomes.
The translation and interpretation major requires a minimum of four semesters to complete and is intended for incoming bilingual students. (Those students who are seeking to improve their knowledge of Spanish should enroll in the Spanish major.) During one year, the program focuses on legal interpreting, and during the other year, the focus will be on medical interpreting. The overall goal of the program is to prepare students to successfully complete a medical and/or legal certification exam.
Not only is Northwestern's program one of a handful at the baccalaureate level in the United States, but the college has also invested in the necessary training resources for its students. For the residential students participating in the program, NWC has a dedicated interpreting laboratory with 13 professional interpreting booths, an interpreting booth as part of the college's main venue for many public events, and portable equipment for use elsewhere on campus.
Upon successfully attaining a B.A. in translation and interpretation, you will:
Major requirements
SPA 361 - Legal Interpreting I: Practice and Translation
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course introducing the students to the complex field of
legal interpreting. The first of four courses, students will become familiar with the three interpreting modes-sight-translation, consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting - and will then focus on sight-translation; in addition, students will also learn the methods, techniques and problems involved in written legal translation. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be legal/court related in nature. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the T&I program as demonstrated by a high level of fluency in both English and Spanish.
SPA 362 - Legal Interpreting II: Practice and Ethics
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the introductory course for the complex field of legal interpreting. The second of four courses, students will focus on consecutive interpreting, involving extensive note-taking and memory skills; in addition, students will also learn the intricacies of ethics for legal interpreters. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be legal/court related in nature. Prerequisite: SPA361.
SPA 363 - Legal Interpreting III: Practice and Technology
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the first two
courses for the complex field of legal interpreting. The third of four courses, students will focus on the highly complicated skill of simultaneous interpreting, involving input and output at the same time; in addition, students will also learn about the different technologies and remote interpreting platforms that professional court interpreters use. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be legal/court related in nature. Prerequisite: SPA362.
SPA 364 - Legal Interpreting IV: Practice and the Profession
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the previous
courses for the complex field of legal interpreting. The fourth of four courses, students will consolidate their skills of sight-translation, consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting as they prepare for certification exams; in addition, students will also learn about the intricacies and challenges of working as a professional, certified court interpreter. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be legal/court related in nature. Prerequisite: SPA363.
SPA 371 - Medical Interpreting I: Practice and Translation
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course introducing the students to the complex field of medical interpreting. The first of four courses, students will become familiar with the three interpreting modes - sight-translation, consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting - and will then focus on sight-translation; in addition, students will also learn the methods, techniques and problems involved in written medical translation. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical in nature. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the T&I program as demonstrated by a high level of fluency in both English and Spanish.
SPA 372 - Medical Interpreting II: Practice and Ethics
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the introductory course for the complex field of medical interpreting. The second of four courses, students will focus on consecutive interpreting, involving extensive note-taking and memory skills; in addition, students will also learn the intricacies of ethics for medical interpreters. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical in nature. Prerequisite: SPA371.
SPA 373 - Medical Interpreting III: Practice and Technology
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the first two
courses for the complex field of medical interpreting. The third of four courses, students will focus on the highly complicated skill of simultaneous interpreting (involving input and output at the same time) and continue their practice of consecutive interpreting; in addition, students will also learn about the different technologies and remote interpreting platforms
that professional medical interpreters use. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical in nature. Prerequisite: SPA372.
SPA 374 - Medical Interpreting IV: Practice and the Profession
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the previous
courses for the complex field of medical interpreting. The fourth of four courses, students will consolidate their skills of sight-translation, consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting as they prepare for certification exams; in addition, students will also learn about the intricacies and challenges of working as a professional, certified medical interpreter. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical in nature.
Prerequisite: SPA373.
SPA 375 - Advanced Translation
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) An advanced level course, in which students will consolidate their skills in
translation. Students will learn how to improve on earlier translations (either from their own translations or from others) as they target their translations for specific audiences. Course material will come from a broad array of religious, scientific, political and sociocultural sources, as well as materials stemming from community needs. Students will translate from
English into Spanish. Prerequisites: Successful completion of either SPA361 & SPA362, Legal Interpreting I & II, or SPA371 & SPA372, Medical Interpreting I & II, or permission by instructor.
Choose one course: 2 credits
SPA 312WI - Advanced Spanish Grammar
(3 credits) (Writing intensive) Advanced development of writing skills and a review of difficult grammar concepts. Students will be expected to write in a variety of contexts. Emphasis will be on the writing process. The majority of the assignments will be completed in steps including multiple drafts. Additionally, students will be expected to review grammar and complete some grammar exercises. Prerequisite: SPA202 or equivalent proficiency.
Note: Taught in Spanish.
SPA 327 - Hispanics in the U.S.
(3 credits, alternate years, consult department) A wide-ranging study of the current situation of Hispanics in the United States. After an historical overview, a thematic approach will be taken to better understand the role of Hispanics in the United States and their growing influence. Possible topics include demographics, voting tendencies, purchasing power, Hispanic media, religion, labor laws, immigration, Spanglish and bilingualism, among others. Using interviews and research, the course will conclude with a study of our Hispanic neighbors here in northwest Iowa. Prerequisites: SPA202 and one 3-credit 300-level course.
Note: Taught in Spanish.
Total credits required: 36
