Unit Outline

This is a unit suitable for anyone curious about the challenges of communication in the 21st Century. Frequently, in our globalised society, we need to communicate with others across certain boundaries: space, different electronic mediums, time, culture and language. Even seemingly straightforward communication involves the translation of ideas between people regardless of whether they speak the same language. When multiple languages enter the mix, the potential for mixed messages and other communication glitches is heightened. This can leave us at crossed purposes, striving to translate and interpret meaning. Even within the confines of the English-speaking world we often encounter many of the same problems faced by translators and interpreters of foreign languages. In this unit, we seek to answer questions arising from communication across boundaries of all types: How do misunderstandings arise, even if we’re speaking the same language?; Do film subtitles really accurately reflect what actors in foreign films are saying?; How do you translate Donald Trump’s speeches in cultures where authority figures deserve unquestioned respect? What communication problems arise from the sudden unexpected relocations that result from of crises of all kinds? And what is the purpose of translation, what should we expect of it? For students with a language other than English, you can try your hand at your own translations, but this unit is suitable for all students, whether you are familiar with one language or many.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Analyse existing scholarship on the art of translation to produce a researched solution to specific, and complex, communication issues.
2.	Implement analytical strategies and evaluation methodologies to produce a reasoned solution to complex communication issues.
3.	Effectively communicate knowledge, methodologies and findings on the art of translation through a range of media (e.g. written, oral, visual).

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Project Proposal	See the MyLO site for the due date	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Progress and Participation Portfolio	See the MyLO site for the due date	10 %
Assessment Task 3:	Translation Assignment	See the MyLO site for the due date	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Major Translation Project	See the MyLO site for the due date	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Project Proposal

Task Description:

The project proposal is a formative assessment that supports the development of the supervised translation project.
You will outline your choice of, and design for, one of the listed translation-based projects. This project will be your major focus for the semester and will inform and comprise your major assignment for this unit. In this initial introductory assignment, you will present your topic, outline the underlying theoretical focus, list some bibliographic resources and describe your intended methodology.

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and summarise the parameters, scope and objectives of the communication project.	LO3
2	Conduct and convey bibliographical research.	LO1, LO3
3	Communicate in written form to convey meaning and context.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Progress and Participation Portfolio

Task Description:

Compile a portfolio of reflections based on at least 8 weeks of learning activities. This can be based on the weekly Discussion questions/Tutorial Activities.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

Assessment Task 3: Translation Assignment

Task Description:

Task Description You will choose one of the listed translation-based projects. For practical projects, you will choose a suitable short work (text, media etc) for translation, and provide an annotated translation. For theory-based or reflective projects you will provide a short, written response to the research question / topic.
Practical task: 300 words + 200 word annotations; OR
Theoretical / Reflective task: 500 words [not including bibliography]

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and summarise the parameters, scope and objectives of the communication project.	LO3
2	Conduct and convey bibliographical research.	LO1, LO3
3	Communicate in the chosen medium to convey meaning and context.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 4: Major Translation Project

Task Description:

You will choose one of the listed translation-based projects not chosen for Assessment Task 2. For practical projects, you will choose a suitable longer work (text, media etc) for translation, and provide a detailed annotated translation. For theory-based or reflective projects you will provide an essay-length written response to the research question / topic. You will share your research in a short class presentation in week 12.
Practical task: 3000 word negotiated length, 1000 word annotations; OR
Theoretical task: 4000 words [not including bibliography]

Task Length:

4000 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and summarise the parameters, scope and objectives of the communication project.	LO3
2	Conduct and convey bibliographical research.	LO1, LO3
3	Communicate in the chosen medium to convey meaning and context.	LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.