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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: TRAM063 Module Title: DISSERTATION (AUDIOVISUAL TRANSLATION)
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: LIT563
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: ASIMAKOULAS D Dr (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 60 Number of ECTS credits: 30
 
Module Availability
From end of Semester 2
Assessment Pattern

Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)
Either
Submission of a 10,000-12,000 word assignment by the date published in the Programme Handbook, normally during the second week of September;
100%
Or
Submission of an Audiovisual Translation Project plus commentary by the date published in the Programme Handbook, normally during the second week of September (see Module Content below for details on length).
Project and Commentary are equally weighted (50%/50%)

Qualifying condition(s):
A mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Module Overview

This module allows students to specialise in an aspect of the programme of particular interest by writing a topic-based dissertation, or doing a subtitling/audio description project with commentary. Successful completion of the module requires close collaboration with a supervisor and good planning and organisation skills.

Prerequisites/Co-requisites
A pass in the Postgraduate Diploma of 50% or above
Module Aims

As an extensive piece of work (10,000-12,000 words or equivalent Project plus Commentary) which allows the student to work independently in depth – with appropriate guidance – the dissertation provides the opportunity for students to specialise in an aspect of the taught programme which is of particular interest and to synthesise the skills and knowledge which they have acquired.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will:
  • have produced a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation or an equivalent Audiovisual Translation Project plus Commentary according to one of two main patterns (see Content);
  • have gained insight into and be able to reflect on the processes of Audiovisual Translation (subtitling and/or audiodescription);
  • be able to work independently on an extended piece of work in a sustained way with guidance;
  • have further improved research skills;
  • have applied the knowledge gained in theoretical modules to a project approaching professional requirements and have demonstrated their ability to reflect on practice, drawing systematically and effectively on the available scholarly literature;
  • be better equipped to plan and manage larger projects over a period of time to meet deadlines and quality expectations.
Module Content
Students will communicate with a potential supervisor, or with the Convenor for their language group, or with the Programme Director to discuss possible topics and materials during the second part of the Spring semester (or earlier if appropriate), and in any case not later than the first week of the summer break. 
Two main patterns of work are possible:
  • a piece of research on a well-specified question related to audiovisual translation, drawing on the relevant literature; the work may be of an empirical or a theoretical kind and must be written in English; the topic may be overarching and comparative, or deal specifically with an aspect of subtitling (inter- and/or intralingual) or audiodescription (10,000-12,000 words);
  • an Audiovisual Translation Project plus Commentary according to one of the following options:
    • 45-60 minutes of subtitled (interlingual) audiovisual material plus a Commentary (6,000-4,000 words respectively in English) in which particular problems and solutions are explicated, drawing on the relevant literature and focussing thematically on an aspect of the work of particular interest;
    • 45-60 minutes of subtitled (intralingual) audiovisual material plus a Commentary (6,000-4,000 words respectively in English) in which particular problems and solutions are explicated, drawing on the relevant literature and focussing thematically on an aspect of the work of particular interest;
    • 45-60 minutes of audiodescribed audiovisual material plus a Commentary (6,000-4,000 words respectively in English) in which particular problems and solutions are explicated, drawing on the relevant literature and focussing thematically on an aspect of the work of particular interest.
Methods of Teaching/Learning
By individual consultation and discussion as well as independent research. See also Dissertation Guidelines in the Programme of Study for detailed guidance on scholarly conventions and procedures for writing the dissertation. Orientation sessions will be held in the Spring semester (before Easter) including workshop tasks.
 
A topic should be agreed normally by the first week of June. Students are responsible for completing and submitting the relevant form ("TRAM063 Dissertation Proposal", see Programme Handbook). All proposals are subject to this approval process by the potential supervisor in co-operation with the Programme Director.
 
Students and supervisors will agree a timetable of work which will include regular meetings and/or communications, at which outlines, drafts and revisions of written work are discussed. Students are responsible for completing and submitting the relevant form ("TRAM063 Dissertation Deadlines Form", see Programme Handbook).

Students are expected to submit sections of the dissertation for comment as their work proceeds. Students can normally expect to receive feedback on two drafts of their work; the feedback on the first draft will be of a more detailed kind. Means of communication between student and supervisor should be agreed at the beginning of the supervision period. Further information is provided in the Programme Handbook on scholarly conventions and procedures (Guidelines for writing Commentaries and Guidelines for Writing Dissertations).
Selected Texts/Journals
Texts will be specific to individual topics, but students are strongly advised to consult the references recommended for other modules, in particular TRAM 054 Applied Linguistic Principles and TRAM176 Audiovisual Translation Issues.
 
Citing references:
 
The Preparation and Presentation of Theses and Dissertations: http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=734,200346&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Fisher, David and Terry Hanstock (2007) Citing References: A Guide for Users. Nottingham: Nottingham Trent University [last accessed 05 Sep 2008] <http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/is/support/knowledgebase/guides/IS2010.pdf>
 
Academic Writing/Style Guides:
 
European Commission (2007) English Style Guide. A Handbook for Authors and Translators in the European Commission. Directorate-General for Translation. [last accessed 02 Sept 2008] <http://ec.europa.eu/translation/writing/style_guides/english/style_guide_en.pdf>
Modern Humanities Research Association (2007) MHRH Style Guide for Authors, Editors and Writers of Theses. [last accessed 02 Sept 2008] <http://www.mhra.org.uk/Publications/Books/StyleGuide/download.shtml>
Stolze, R. (2004) “Quality in Academic Text Production”. Perspectives: Studies in Translatology 12(1):11-19.
Williams, J. and A. Chesterman (2002) The Map. A Beginner’s Guide to Doing Research in Translation Studies. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing.
 
Transliteration guide for Asian, Middle Eastern and European alphabets/scripts:

American Library of Congress (2007) ALA-LC Romanization Tables: Transliteration Schemes for Non-Roman Scripts. [last accessed 05 Sept 2007] <http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/roman.html>>

Last Updated

21 April 2011