Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop written fluency in Chinese and English through translation practice. The unit is designed to further develop students advanced writing and translation skills. Practical tasks will include translation from English into Chinese and vice versa, using a wide range of texts, including newspaper reports, advertisements, product package text, film subtitles, tourist brochures, web pages, and relatively simple technical, legal and official documents.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Chinese Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(CHNS1303 and CHNS1304) or 12 credit points at 3000 level in Chinese Studies
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wei Wang, wei.wang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Wei Wang, wei.wang@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Samantha Xu, zhan.xu@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Individual translation assignments and reflections Translation tasks and reflection	30%	Week 05 Due date: 29 Mar 2025 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group translation project Group translation project	50%	Week 13 Due date: 31 May 2025 at 23:59	2500 words per student
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	In-class test Written translation test	20%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 17:00	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Individual translation assignments and reflection (30%): Each translation assignment will include two pieces of translation, covering different genres and topics: one from English into Chinese and the other from Chinese into English with approximately 250 words or equivalence for each text. Assignment 1 needs to be done in tutorial and Assignments 2 should be done after the class. All assignments should be submitted online via Canvas. The reflection will be in a form of video presentation to be submitted online via Canvas. Detailed guidelines and marking critieria will be provided in class.
Group translation practicum project (50%): You will participate in a translation practicum project to be provided by industry partners during Weeks 5-13. Each project will be carried out by groups of three to four students with a word count of approximately 4,500-6,000 English words (or equivalence) in total for each project. Detailed guidelines and marking criteria will be provided in the class. The project has to be submitted online via Canvas in Week 13.
In-class test (20%): You will complete translation of two texts within 100 minutes (50 minutes for each direction). The text length is about 250 words each. The texts for the test will be drawn from subject areas that have been covered in the unit of study. Please be advised that the students in different tutorial groups will be taking different test papers with the same language level.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% late penalty per calendar day will apply for late submission without previous approval.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit introduction and guidance on assessment tasks	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Basic issues in translation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Key rhetorical differences between Chinese and English	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Basic translation skills 1	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Basic translation skills 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Basic translation skills 3 + Contextual analysis	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	The question of equivalence	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Cultural issues in translation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Genre analysis and translation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Professional translation and ethics	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Teamwork, peer-review, and final editing	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Translation history and practice in China	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Review of the unit, Unit Evaluation and In-class Test	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. translate texts across diverse genres and topics, identifying and analysing translation challenges and developing effective strategies to address them.
LO2. apply translation principles to resolve challenges, document and evaluate the strategies used critically
LO3. conduct background research and contextual analysis to support the translation process
LO4. collaborate effectively, cultivating cultural and linguistic awareness through a variety of mechanisms that improve communication and negotiation for effective teamwork
LO5. demonstrate a thorough understanding of professional ethics, including principles of integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and respect for cultural and contextual nuances within the translation process
LO6. engage in self-reflection, apply critical analysis, and develop problem-solving skills to enhance translation practice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been significantly updated through the WIL (Work-Integrated Learning) initiative in partnership with the University EEE Team and industry partners. A key addition is the translation practicum project offered by industry partners.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CHNS3610: Chinese Translation

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links