Interpreter Training (ITP)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


ITP 104. Special Education Introduction3 Units

Description: Complete overview of major categories of exceptionalities and special education. Observations of special education services.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 115. Introduction to Deaf Culture - D1, SB3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: An overview of the culture of Deaf individuals and communities in the United States. Explore the ways in which hearing loss and the Deaf identity impact the lived experiences of Deaf individuals and communities focusing on linguistic, cognitive, social, and emotional factors. Compare and contrast Deaf culture in the United States with the U.S. culture of non-Deaf people.

Note: Cross-listed with ASL 115.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 210. Fingerspelling and Number Systems3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ASL 102.

Description: Learn and apply receptive and expressive fingerspelling techniques including lexicalized fingerspelling and various numbering systems within ASL.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 215. Professional Ethics and Issues in Interpreting3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): ASL 201 and ITP 115, both with a minimum grade of C or permission of instructor.

Description: Terminology, procedures and ethical/professional considerations relevant to interpreting/transliterating. Topics include the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional conduct application, structuring the interpreting environment, communication assessment, human relations skills, historical developments, and current trends.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 220. Processing Skills for Interpreters3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Corequisite(s): ASL 204 Through a process-oriented approach, explore essential cognitive strategies for interpretation such as readily retrieving lexical items, organizing and manipulating visual images, analyzing message for meaning, and self-monitoring for message accuracy.

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Transition from language learning to simultaneous manipulation of ASL and English for the purpose of interpreting and transliterating. Students enrolled in this course must also be enrolled in ASL 204 unless waived with instructor approval.

Note: Admittance to the ASLIS major depends on a passing score on the screening exam at the end of this course.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 225. Introduction to Interpreting3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: Explore the profession of American Sign Language/English interpreting. Develop frameworks for understanding the field of interpreting, including the role of the interpreter in various settings, the interpreting process, physical factors, language variations, and the Code of Professional Conduct, as well as current trends in the ASL/English interpreting field.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 230. Language and Interpreting Studies3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Description: The practical and theoretical applications of interpreting are discussed to develop sign language interpreting skill-sats. Methods for creating interpretations to ASL and to English are demonstrated. Approaches for evaluating interpretations are included. Students will work in small groups and individually to prepare interpretations.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 310. Multiculturalism and Interpreting3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: Explore interpersonal skills that interpreters must possess as service professionals while on the job and engaged with diverse populations. The notions of oppression, activism, advocacy, and bias will be examined. The focus will be on specific vocabulary and issues related to social justice such as gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, ability, and class. Engage in individual and group community service projects to enhance the understanding of the course topics.

Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 313. Special Topics in Interpreting1-3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

Description: Presentation of course material of a timely, specialized, or topical nature. Specific course orientation will appear beside title. May be retaken to a maximum of six hours if subject matter is different each time.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 320. English to ASL Interpreting I3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 220 and approved ASLIS major.

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Develop English to ASL interpreting skills progressing from consecutive to simultaneous interpreting in a variety of settings.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 325. ASL to English Interpreting I3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 220 and approved ASLIS major.

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Develop ASL to English interpreting skills progressing from consecutive to simultaneous in a variety of settings.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 337. Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Study of personality, intellectual, and emotional development of deaf and hard of hearing people. Emphasis on social maturity, motor functioning, multiple disabilities and the significant history of educational programs at all levels.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 350. Historical Perspectives on the Deaf Community - WR3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 102.

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: The course primarily examines the deaf community and its historical events. The course is organized to focus on the historical, sociopolitical, sociolinguistic and psychosocial forces that influence deaf people's experience in both the United States and other countries.

Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 370. Interpreting in Specialized Settings - WR3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 320, approved ASLIS major.

Description: Signed language interpretation occurs in a wide variety of settings, each with their own unique nuances. Discover best practices and approaches for working in varied interpreted settings. Research, observation of working interpreters, and simulated practice guide exploration of different interpreted situations.

Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 390. Linguistics and ASL3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Corequisite(s): ASL 201.

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Investigate the building blocks of language by comparing the linguistic features of English with the linguistic features of ASL. Explore elements of phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, language variation, and language change.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 420. English to ASL Interpreting II3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 320.

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Development of English to ASL transliterating skills and continued development of English to ASL interpreting skills used in a variety of settings. Introduction to English sign systems.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 425. ASL to English Interpreting II3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 325.

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Continued development of ASL to English interpreting/transliterating skills in a variety of settings.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 430. Interpreting in Specialized Settings II3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 320 or equivalent; admission to ASLIS major and good standing in the program.

Description: This course will provide interpreting majors with the development of ASL skills to increase ASL/English interpreting proficiency in a variety of settings. Curriculum also focuses on the development of skills needed to identify or clarify issues regarding interpreters' decisions; to review various decision-making processes; to map roles and responsibilities; and to resolve conflicts or strategize solutions. Clinical hours required.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 435. Educational Interpreting - WR3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): ASL 301, ITP 320 and approved ASLIS major.

Fee: An additional $15.00 is charged for this course.

Description: Explore factors impacting Deaf education in the United States: legislation, historical perspectives, roles and responsibilities of the educational interpreter, Deaf child development, and communication methods used in educating Deaf students. Learn current trends and apply best practices in educational interpreting through class discussion and guided hands-on experiences.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 440. Advanced Simultaneous Interpretation1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): ITP 420; admission to ASLIS major and good standing in the program.

Description: ITP 440 is designed to provide advanced strategies to deal with interpretation of English to ASL. Strategies include: interactive discourse features of conversations, explanation, interviews, discussions, and other types of dialogue genres. Course topics include effort in interpretation, restructuring, coping skills, simultaneity, and repair strategies.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 445. Interpreting in Healthcare Settings3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 325 and ITP 420.

Description: This course is designed to give students an understanding of sign language interpreting in various medical settings and its impact on the interpreting process. Healthcare settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician's offices, pharmacies, emergency services, mental health and in-patient treatment settings will be discussed. Additional topics such as specialized terminology, logistical and interpersonal considerations, understanding patient history, physical examinations, prescriptions, common forms and procedures, and various specialized settings within the medical setting will be explored.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 470. Practicum in Interpreting I3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 325 and ITP 420.

Description: Observation and interpreting experience under the supervision of a mentor(s) in a variety of settings.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 490. Discourse Analysis3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 390.

Description: Develop functional knowledge of discourse and discourse analysis processes as they relate to the work of American Sign Language interpreters. Discussion focuses on language structure, including concepts of semantics, pragmatics, and semiotics, as well as different definitions of discourse, approaches of analysis, and locations of meaning in discourse. Re-examine the role of the interpreter in the setting of discourse analysis.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

ITP 495. Practicum in Interpreting II - CUE10 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): ITP 490.

Corequisite(s): ASL 405.

Description: The Practicum course is designed to expose students to their professional role through internship in the field. This practicum experience provides students the opportunity to apply and integrate knowledge acquired through coursework. In clarifying and broadening career goals, the practicum assists students in discovering, developing, and refining necessary competencies and skills for their proposed career objectives.

Course Attribute(s): CUE - This course fulfills the Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) requirement for certain degree programs. CUE courses are advanced-level courses intended for majors with at least 90 earned credits/senior-level status., CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes