RESEARCH TOPICS - 2020/1

Module Overview

In this module, students will learn how to tailor their ideas to a fully-fledged research proposal. The module introduces students to basic issues of conducting research, with selected frameworks and methodologies in translation and interpreting serving as exemplars. 

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

ASIMAKOULAS Dimitris (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Introduction to bibliographic resources in translation and interpreting


• Developing a research question and methods for sample analysis


• Research ethics


• Translation, interpreting and technology


• Translation and corpora


• Interpreting and society


• Translation in history/society


• Multimodal and audiovisual translation


• Presenting research projects 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• Knowledge and understanding of approaches to research in translation and interpreting


• Ability to conduct a systematic literature review and to engage critically with existing research


• Ability to develop and present a research proposal

• 1 annotated bibliography (2000 words – week 5). Students select 15-20 sources (upper end of this range preferred in cases of articles/book chapters, and lower end if a mixture of books and articles/chapters is chosen), summarize their main arguments and provide critical comments that help construct a coherent thread of research in a selected area of research


• 1 oral presentation (15 minutes – after week 7). Takes the form of a formal presentation to demonstrate the ability to grasp the main aspects of a research area, articulate research questions and present an initial methodological framework for addressing the questions


• A research proposal (3000 words – at the end of the module). Students identify an area for research and draft a proposal where they elaborate the rationale, originality, and suitable procedures for material collection and sample analysis

• Formative assessment will focus on student participation and class discussions throughout the module


• Individual, out-of-class sessions with tutors will be offered; these will be arranged with tutors specialising in areas relevant to students' chosen areas of research

• Students will be provided with detailed written feedback following coursework assignments


• Verbal feedback will also occur in class and individual appointments if required

Module aims

• Provide frameworks that will allow students to engange with the literature in translation and interpreting in a systematic and critical way
• Offer training that will enable students to identify original research areas (with concomitant background assumptions), procedures for selection of materials and sample analysis/discussion
• Equip students with the skills that will enable them to initiate their own research projects in an ethical manner
• Equip students with the means to carry out their own research projects

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide students with excellent understanding of research in the field of translation studies. This is in line with the MRes’ aims of instilling in students the capacity for carrying out independent research in an area of translation. The module is designed to serve as the first stepping stone for the onset of a research project and as such is highly conducive to the gradation and cumulative nature of research activity in the course.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures will be interspersed with opportunities for group and whole class discussions (22 hours)


• Dedicated presentations on ongoing doctoral research by current PhD students and group discussion (6 hours)   


• Contact hours will be complemented with materials for and activities for guided study posted on SurreyLearn (8 hours)


• Self-study (120 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: TRAM477

Programmes this module appears in

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.