Module LXM-4021:
The Making of a Discipline
Module Facts
Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language
30.000 Credits or 15.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Prof Helena Miguelez-Carballeira
Overall aims and purpose
- Understand the evolution of Translation Studies as an academic discipline and the seminal theoretical debates held from its emergence in the late 70s to the present.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply theoretical notions to the study of translations of different textual typologies (literature, cinema, criticism).
- Understand the importance of translation as a mode of cultural negotiation.
Course content
During this course, you will be introduced to the discipline of Translation Studies as has emerged and developed in the past three decades. Through the study of a number of seminal works, you will be guided through contemporary debates about the theory and practice of translation, including the controversy around such concepts as 'equivalence', 'manipulation', 'power differentials', feminist, 'queer', and postcolonial debates. Time will be devoted to the study of both textual and audiovisual translation. Practical cases and examples, in a variety of modern languages, will be considered in the light of the theoretical debates covered.
Reading list: Bermann, Sandra and Catherien Porter (2014) (eds) A companion to translation studies. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell, Gentzler, Edwin (1993) Contemporary Translation Studies Theories, London & New York: Routledge. Bassnett, Susan and Andre Lefevere (1995) Translation, History and Culture, London: Cassell. Millán, Carmen and Francesca Bartrina (eds) (2013) The Routledge handbook of translation studies. NY: Routledge. Munday, Jeremy (2001) Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications, London & New York: Routledge. Venuti, Lawrence (2004) Translation Studies Reader, 2nd edition, London/New York: Routledge.
The above constitutes basic reading for the course. Topic specific reading lists will be provided for each segment of the course.
Assessment Criteria
threshold
50-59% (C- - C+): Students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the topic studied, forming solid conclusions about the validity and uses of critical theory as a whole.
good
60-69% (B- - B+): Students receiving the higher grades of assessment will have analysed the sources provided, evaluating secondary material on set topics and assessing them as they form their own convincing conclusions.
excellent
70+% (A- - A*):In order to achieve the highest grades, students will have supplemented the texts studied in class with additional primary and secondary reading, they will have analysed and evaluated existing readings of critical theory and come to their own innovative and thoughtful conclusions.
Learning outcomes
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Students will acquire a greater awareness of the range of debates in Translation Studies.
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Students will gain experience of textual examples of specific critical theories.
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Students will be able to analyse the relationship between individual theories and the subject to which they are applied.
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Students will be able to analyse the uses and validity of the different theories of translation.
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Essay - Assignment 2 | 70.00 | ||
Lecture Diary | 30.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Private study | Private study |
288 |
Lecture | Six 2-hour Lectures held every other week. |
12 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
- Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
- Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
- Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
- Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
- Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
- Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
- Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
- Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
- Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
- Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
- Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
- Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
- Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in
Pre- and Co-requisite Modules
Pre-requisite of:
Co-requisites:
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- T9AD: MA Translation Studies year 1 (MA/TRANS)