DISSERTATION (MRES TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING STUDIES) - 2020/1

Module code: TRAM479

Module Overview

This module allows students to specialise in an aspect of the programme which is of particular interest to them by writing-up a substantial dissertation text of 16000 words (excluding data appendices and bibliography). This project will be based on thorough research on a specific Translation Studies issue. Successful completion of the module requires frequent, close collaboration with a supervisor, as well as excellent planning and organisation skills.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

ASIMAKOULAS Dimitris (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 120

ECTS Credits: 60

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 1180

Tutorial Hours: 20

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:


  • Academic writing tutorials

  • Proposal planning sessions

  • Dissertation preparation workshops

  • Finalised dissertation proposal

  • One-to-one dissertation supervision and review meetings

  • Independent research on chosen topic


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation) DISSERTATION OF 16000 WORDS 100

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to produce an original piece of work commensurate with the MRes level, work independently and comply with academic standards.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • An MRes dissertation of 16 thousand words (100% weighting)



 

Formative assessment

Students will discuss the development of their research topic in structured meetings (see learning and teaching methods above), with a supervisor designated to them by the Programme Leader. Whilst these meetings take place throughout the course, a number of them is directly linked to a Semester 1 module entitled 'Research Topics'. One of the main assessments in this module entails writing-up a project proposal, which will ultimately be the finalised proposal for the dissertation project. 

Feedback

Students will receive written feedback on their dissertation proposals and on their dissertations, as well as oral or written feedback on agreed drafts submitted to their supervisors. 

Module aims

  • Guide students along the elaboration of an appropriate research topic, ideally a topic that has already been identified in their taught modules (especially their research topics/methodology modules)
  • Encourage students to discuss the topic critically
  • Enable students to sharpen the focus and develop the data-related components of their research projects, so that the project becomes substantial enough yet manageable given the scope, time and resources envisaged for an MRes dissertation
  • Provide an opportunity for students to develop their topic independently and discuss it with a supervisor
  • Guide strudents along the production of an extended piece of academic work
  • Enable students to synthesise the skills and knowledge which they have acquired throughout the academic year

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Produce a 16 thousand word MRes dissertation that is well-structured, cogently argued and lucidly written KCT
002 Demonstrate insight into, reflect on and critically engage with a research topic in translation studies KC
003 Work independently on an extended piece of work in a sustained way with guidance PT
004 Demonstrate research skills developed to a level of complexity and sophistication commensurate with masters level descriptors KCT
005 Plan and manage a large project over a period of time to meet deadlines and quality expectations PT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:


  • Stimulate critical thinking and independent research

  • Develop time-management and interpersonal skills



The learning and teaching methods include:


  • Independent  research conducted over the duration of the year and the summer period (1180 hours)




  • Contact hours consisting of structured meetings, workshops and tutorials; a break-down of these is as follows:



Semester 1


  • academic writing tutorials (4 hours)

  • initial meeting (1 hour)

  • debriefing meeting (1 hour)

  • feedback on proposal (2 hours)



Semester 2


  • dissertation kick-off meeting (1 hr)

  • dissertation preparation workshops (4 hours)

  • progress review meetings (3)



              Summer writing-up


  • structured supervisory meetings (4 hours)


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TRAM479

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Translation and Interpreting Studies MRes(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.