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Programme Specification

MA Translation

Academic Year 2023/24

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title MA Translation Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Arts
Programme Code TRN-MA-TR UCAS Code HECoS Code 101130 - Translation studies - 100
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time or Part Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Part Time - 3 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 180
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Arts, English and Languages

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

N/A

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

N/A

Programme Specific Regulations

Awards, Credits and Progression of Learning Outcomes:

The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the University’s General Regulations for Postgraduate Students.

Examinations:

The pass mark for each module and the dissertation is 50%.

Students must pass all taught modules (120 CATS points) and the dissertation (60 CATS points) to be awarded the degree of MA in Translation.

Students must pass all taught modules before proceeding to the Dissertation.

Students who fail one or more of the taught modules are permitted one further attempt to pass the module at the next available opportunity for a maximum of 50%.

An electronic copy of the dissertation must be submitted by 15 September for full-time students or 1 May (of their third year) following completion of taught modules for part-time students.

The dissertation must be submitted within a period of no more than two years after completion of the taught modules. A candidate who fails the dissertation may re-submit the dissertation for a maximum mark of 50%. Only one resubmission will be permitted.

Candidates who pass all the taught modules but who do not submit a dissertation or fail to achieve a mark of at least 50% in the dissertation shall be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Translation.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The MA Translation aims to:

- Enable students to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the prevailing theories and practices of translation through intellectual and interactive enquiry and advanced translation practice;
- Provide grounding in the field of Translation Studies, defined as theory and practice, that will enable students both to undertake independent research and/or to work as professional translators;
- Encourage sophisticated intellectual enquiry and debate with fellow students, academics and professional practitioners, drawn from a range of relevant backgrounds, through interrogation of theoretical models and analysis of practice-based work;
- Encourage students to develop professional translation skills and/or to theorise within the context of the discipline and/or their own practice;
- Provide students with a good knowledge of the translation market place;
- Foster a dynamic and innovative approach to translation as a mode for understanding the socio-political and cultural complexities posed by the movement of peoples and the demands of multi-lingual and multicultural organisations and societies;
- Equip students to use their writing talents to the best of their ability, and to develop as independent translators and self-reflective lifelong learners.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Formulate and express ideas and perspectives deriving from translation studies and from the application of translation methods within in a number of different contexts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- Textual and contextual analyses;
- A programme in which theory and practice are demonstrated to be mutually illuminating;
- A programme in which translation, both in terms of theory and practice, is examined as a real-world activity;
- Analysis of the process and products of translation debate, discussion and creative and professionally-based learning activities.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed by written assignments including critical essays, translation and reflective commentaries, practical projects and reflective learning logs.

Question and critically examine assumptions about language, and the relationship between language, identity and place.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- Textual and contextual analyses;
- A programme in which theory and practice are demonstrated to be mutually illuminating;
- A programme in which translation, both in terms of theory and practice, is examined as a real-world activity;
- Analysis of the process and products of translation debate, discussion and creative and professionally-based learning activities.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed by written assignments including critical essays, translation and reflective commentaries, practical projects and reflective learning logs.

Question and critically examine assumptions about text and how texts transmit meaning.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- Textual and contextual analyses;
- A programme in which theory and practice are demonstrated to be mutually illuminating;
- A programme in which translation, both in terms of theory and practice, is examined as a real-world activity;
- Analysis of the process and products of translation debate, discussion and creative and professionally-based learning activities.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed by written assignments including critical essays, translation and reflective commentaries, practical projects and reflective learning logs.

Critically analyse their own translation practice, in the case of students who take language-based modules, and/or that of others over a range of text types.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- Textual and contextual analyses;
- A programme in which theory and practice are demonstrated to be mutually illuminating;
- A programme in which translation, both in terms of theory and practice, is examined as a real-world activity;
- Analysis of the process and products of translation debate, discussion and creative and professionally-based learning activities.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed by written assignments including critical essays, translation and reflective commentaries, practical projects and reflective learning logs.

Think independently, laterally and creatively.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- Textual and contextual analyses;
- A programme in which theory and practice are demonstrated to be mutually illuminating;
- A programme in which translation, both in terms of theory and practice, is examined as a real-world activity;
- Analysis of the process and products of translation debate, discussion and creative and professionally-based learning activities.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed by written assignments including critical essays, translation and reflective commentaries, practical projects and reflective learning logs.

Summarise and synthesise theoretical and experiential learning, drawing on a range of sources, text types and perspectives.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- Textual and contextual analyses;
- A programme in which theory and practice are demonstrated to be mutually illuminating;
- A programme in which translation, both in terms of theory and practice, is examined as a real-world activity;
- Analysis of the process and products of translation debate, discussion and creative and professionally-based learning activities.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed by written assignments including critical essays, translation and reflective commentaries, practical projects and reflective learning logs.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Examine and assess the effectiveness of texts and utterances within a wide range of contexts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Have developed effective time-management awareness.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Have developed the ability to devise, plan and deliver projects.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Offer and receive constructive criticism of their own and others’ work.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Participate actively in debate and discussion.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Respond positively and productively to feedback on their own work.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Think creatively and professionally.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Have developed an understanding of the technologies available to assist the translator.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Have developed entrepreneurial and presentational skills.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Understand the importance of producing work within the framework of appropriate conventions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These will be developed by a programme that in its individual and group activities emphasises the transferability of its skillset – close-reading skills, discourse analysis, pragmatic analysis, the relationship between text, subtext and context, writing, entrepreneurial, research and presentational skills.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

By a range of assessment methods that are designed to evaluate the application of core skills.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Understand the key concepts of translation theory and apply these to practice in a range of academic and professionally-based contexts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- A programme of interactive seminars that deal with the history of translation studies, current issues, new perspectives and wider applications;
- A programme of guided practice in text translation;
- A programme of required and recommended reading;
- A programme of workshops that analyse the relationship between text and context, and critically assess students’ practice;
- Extended interaction with a range of visiting speakers, professional practitioners and other trainers.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Critically analyse the translation process with a view to developing their own theoretical positions.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- A programme of interactive seminars that deal with the history of translation studies, current issues, new perspectives and wider applications;
- A programme of guided practice in text translation;
- A programme of required and recommended reading;
- A programme of workshops that analyse the relationship between text and context, and critically assess students’ practice;
- Extended interaction with a range of visiting speakers, professional practitioners and other trainers.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Understand the relationship between creativity and constraint across a full typology of texts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- A programme of interactive seminars that deal with the history of translation studies, current issues, new perspectives and wider applications;
- A programme of guided practice in text translation;
- A programme of required and recommended reading;
- A programme of workshops that analyse the relationship between text and context, and critically assess students’ practice;
- Extended interaction with a range of visiting speakers, professional practitioners and other trainers.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Understand what it means to be a professional translator and to undertake professional translation and/or further research within the discipline of Translation Studies.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- A programme of interactive seminars that deal with the history of translation studies, current issues, new perspectives and wider applications;
- A programme of guided practice in text translation;
- A programme of required and recommended reading;
- A programme of workshops that analyse the relationship between text and context, and critically assess students’ practice;
- Extended interaction with a range of visiting speakers, professional practitioners and other trainers.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Understand the application of translation as an intellectual mode and model of cultural encounter to a wide range of social and cultural contexts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed through:

- A programme of interactive seminars that deal with the history of translation studies, current issues, new perspectives and wider applications;
- A programme of guided practice in text translation;
- A programme of required and recommended reading;
- A programme of workshops that analyse the relationship between text and context, and critically assess students’ practice;
- Extended interaction with a range of visiting speakers, professional practitioners and other trainers.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate the relationship between theoretical models prevalent in translation studies and translation practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed:

Synoptically and individually through the programme of seminars, guided independent translations, workshops, visiting speakers and recommended reading.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Apply their understanding of the broad issues in translation studies to their own writing practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed:

Synoptically and individually through the programme of seminars, guided independent translations, workshops, visiting speakers and recommended reading.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

For those students who choose language-based modules, demonstrate a good level of specific skills relating to translation practice, including: major contrastive phenomena between their principal foreign language and English; issues of register and dialect; specificities of text type, including literary translation and subtitling; the importance of cultural context.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed:

Synoptically and individually through the programme of seminars, guided independent translations, workshops, visiting speakers and recommended reading.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Apply a range of business, academic and professional skills applicable within the context of translation practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed:

Synoptically and individually through the programme of seminars, guided independent translations, workshops, visiting speakers and recommended reading.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Apply a working understanding of the intercultural models supplied by translation theory to issues of relevance to the public domain.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed:

Synoptically and individually through the programme of seminars, guided independent translations, workshops, visiting speakers and recommended reading.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Undertake theoretical and/or practice-based research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

These skills will be developed:

Synoptically and individually through the programme of seminars, guided independent translations, workshops, visiting speakers and recommended reading.

Methods of Assessment

These skills will be assessed:

Through essays, projects, research exercises, translations, reflective learning logs and think-aloud protocols.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Translation Networks MML7061 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Preparing for the Dissertation MML7060 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Literary Translation MML7024 7 10 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Translating for Performance MML7019 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Technical Translation MML7018 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
The Business of Translation MML7016 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Meaning, Sense, Translation MML7033 7 10 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Profession & Placement Module MML7058 7 0 YES YES 24 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Principles of Community Interpreting MML7021 7 20 YES YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Theory and Practice of Translation MML7059 7 30 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Audiovisual Translation MML7035 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Dissertation MML7026 7 60 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%

Notes

Full-time students must take the 4 compulsory modules (MML7059, MML7060, MML7016 and MML7026);

Part-time candidates will normally take modules totalling 60 CAT points in each of their first two years of study: they will take MML7059 in the first year; MML7016 in the second year; the dissertation (MML7026) is normally completed in the third year of part-time study.