Ethics & Professional Decision Making

Course code INTR 2210

Credit 2.5

Length 45.0 hours

Course outline View

This course provides students with opportunities to clarify their own values and integrate that knowledge into the concept of sign language interpreters as cultural mediators within their professional role. Applying prior learning regarding power, privilege and oppression, students will discuss and analyze meta-ethical principles and the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct espoused by sign language interpreters in Canada. Students will also further their understanding of the decision-making framework known as Demand Control Schema and its application to ethics.

Prerequisites

INTR 2100.

Missing prerequisites?

Learn more about VCC's academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

What you will learn

  • Values and ethics

    Relationship between one’s own personal and professional values and one’s professional code of ethics
    A code of ethics as an expression of values and guidelines
    Critical thought and situational variables that impact the application of the code of ethics
    Personal philosophy of practice
  • Professional governance

    General purposes of professional codes of ethics
    Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct
    Workplace guidelines and policies of employers of interpreters
    Legislation that impacts the interpreting community of practice
    Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters (WAVLI) and Occupational Title Protection in BC
    Conflict and/or tensions between professional, employer and legislated governance
  • Demand Control Schema

    Constellations of demands
    Controls on a liberal-conservative spectrum
    Positive and negative consequences
    Resulting demands
    Case studies and hypothetical dilemmas
  • Interpreter power, privilege, positionality

    Possibility and implications of using one’s position of power to reinforce the status quo
    Ongoing examination of one’s own positionality in a variety of professional and community settings
    Envisioning oneself as an agent of change toward social, economic and racial justice

How to register

This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.

Course schedules

Select your program to see the available course schedules.

CRN# Duration Delivery Location
42457 January 5, 2026
to April 23, 2026
Lecture VCC Broadway Building A See full schedule

Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule.

Contact us

If you have any question, please email at advising@vcc.ca.

† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and we acknowledge our privilege to be here.