| Unit name | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODLM0012 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Paul Golf |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Successful completion of Taught Component of MA in Chinese-English Translation Or equivalent Diploma in Chinese-English Translation |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Students must produce either a) a 15,000 word research-based dissertation or b) an extended piece of original translation, with annotations and commentary. For b) students must complete a translation into English of publishable standard of a previously untranslated text or unified body of texts consisting of approximately 8-10,000 words in the original, together with an analytical introduction (indicating the relevance of the text, analysing the style and providing a theoretical justification for the chosen approach to the translation) and appropriate annotations (indicating problems of translation and giving necessary explanations). Shorter texts may be considered with advance approval from the programme director. For both routes a) and b), the text is selected in consultation with tutors, and subject to approval by the programme director.
Aims: The unit will require students of the MA in Chinese-English Translation to draw together and synthesise much of what they have learned in both the theoretical and applied elements of the taught programme. Though it allows the choice of either a research-based route, which may provide the grounding for advanced postgraduate work, or of a practice-based route, training students to produce a substantial annotated translation to a professional standard, the unit will in both cases test both advanced linguistic competence (normally in specialist language-areas), and sophisticated application of translation theory to the analysis of high-level translation practice.
Students will combine specialist linguistic knowledge with theoretical approaches to translation studied in the core and optional units to produce either a) an analytical research-based study, e.g. of existing translations or b) a self-reflectively analytical piece of extended translation. In carrying through to completion an extended project in relation to their chosen field they will refine their C8 independent research skills, their ability to make appropriate and suitably detailed annotations, to draft a detailed and accurate bibliography, and (especially under b)) their expertise as translators. Students who complete this unit successfully will be equipped with the basic skills required for doctoral research (route a)) or for advanced (professional-level) translation practice (route b)).
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous sessions and asynchronous activities, including seminars, lectures, and collaborative as well as self-directed learning opportunities supported by tutor consultation
Dissertation of 15000 words (route a)
Or: extended translation, normally of approx. 10000 words in the original, with annotations and commentary of approx. 5000 words (route b)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MODLM0012).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
