BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASPECTS OF THE TRANSLATION PROFESSION - 2019/0

Module code: TRAM476

Module Overview

This module provides students with opportunities to develop a variety of industry-specific and transferable skills as well as knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to enter the translation industry as confident language service providers. 

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

GOUGH Joanna (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Overall student workload

Workshop Hours: 8

Independent Learning Hours: 128

Lecture Hours: 14

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:


  • Overview of the modern translation industry: current trends, challenges and opportunities

  • Various roles and workflows in the translation industry

  • Professional image, marketing and networking

  • Macro-business skills for translation professionals

  • Micro-business skills for translation professionals

  • New and emerging technologies for translation professionals


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework Essay 1 (1,500 words) 50
Oral exam or presentation Group Presentation 15
Coursework Essay 2 (1,500 words) 35

Alternative Assessment

Individual presentation 15%

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to work individually and in a group, to communicate effectively and deliver a presentation to peers and experts.

Students will also have the opportunity to demonstrate reflective, critical and analytical skills and the ability to understand the current state of the translation industry, its demands and how these demands can be met.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • A group presentation (15%)

  • Essay 1 (1500 words) (50%)

  • Essay 2 (1500 words) (35%)



 

Formative assessment

Students will receive feedback on group work from peers and mentors as well as feedback on class activities and homework assignments during the semester. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in online tests to enable them to assess their progress throughout the module. Furthermore, formative feedback will be provided on specific deliverables such as a CV or a marketing plan.

Feedback

Students will receive oral feedback for their classwork and homework during the semester, and individual written feedback for the summative assessment assignments. Peer and mentor feedback will also be provided during the group work.

Module aims

  • Provide an environment where students learn to perceive translation as a professional and business activity
  • Equip students with knowledge of the translation industry and encourage them to critically engage with the current industry issues and trends and their impact on the future of the translation profession
  • Enable students to think of themselves as future language service providers and develop entrepreneurial and business skills necessary to start a translation business or work in a translation company
  • Equip students with the capacity to adapt to and familiarise themselves with new and emerging technologies relevant to the translation industry

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Understand how the translation industry works in general and how it has been changing as a result of globalisation and recent technological developments KC
002 Solve business challenges through working in groups with the help of peers and mentors KCPT
003 Make informed decisions as to the direction of their careers and make first steps towards securing future employment PT
004 Deal with a range of practical and business aspects of working as a translation professional PT
005 Extend their knowledge of translation technologies by exploring and critically evaluating a range of translation software applications KP

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 debate

  • Provide opportunities for developing enterpreneurial and business skills

  • Encourage group work and peer feedback 



The learning and teaching methods include:


  • Workshops (8 hours)

  • Interactive lectures (14 hours)

  • Self-study (128 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: TRAM476

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Translation and Interpreting Studies MRes 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Translation MA 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Translation and Interpreting MA 2 Optional 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 2019/0 academic year.