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Unit of study_

GRMN3010: Translating German Culture

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit allows you to enhance your language skills by studying translation. Using a range of materials, you will put into practice basic translation concepts and techniques, enabling you to build your knowledge of German language and culture.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GRMN3010
Academic unit Germanic Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 3000 level of Germanic Studies language units
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Brangwen Stone, brangwen.stone@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Nick Enright, nicholas.enright@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Commentary
n/a
35% - 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Translation project
n/a
50% - 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Bilingual glossary
n/a
15% - 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

See Canvas for details

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

Translation reads idiomatically as if it were produced in the target language. Concepts encountered during the unit are used with sophistication in the commentary, which should reflect in depth on both strategic decisions and decisions of detail. The glossary is complete and contains appropriate entries. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Translation is accurate, idiomatic, free from inaccuracies and/or mistranslations, and demonstrates style in the use of English. Concepts encountered during the unit are used correctly in the commentary, which should reflect in depth on both strategic decisions and decisions of detail. The glossary is complete and contains appropriate entries. 

Credit

65 - 74

Translation is accurate and idiomatic without any major inaccuracies and/or mistranslations. Concepts encountered during the unit are used correctly in the commentary, which should reflect well on both strategic decisions and decisions of detail. The glossary is complete and contains appropriate entries. 

Pass

50 - 64

Translation is broadly accurate but may contain occasional inaccuracies and/or mistranslations. Concepts encountered during the unit are used correctly, though the commentary may lack an appropriate level of depth or reflection. The glossary is complete and contains appropriate entries. 

Fail

0 - 49

Translation may suffer from serious inaccuracies and/or mistranslations. Concepts encountered during the unit may be used insufficiently or are misused in the commentary. The glossary may be incomplete and/or contain inappropriate or irrelevant entries. 

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or exclude late penalties only if expressly stated below.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and translation as a process Online class (3 hr) LO2
Week 02 Translation as a product Online class (3 hr) LO2
Week 03 Cultural issues in translation Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Compensation Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Genre Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Phonic/graphic/prosodic issues Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Grammatical and sentential issues Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Discourse and intertextual issues Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Literal meaning Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Connotative meaning Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Scientific and technical translation Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Consumer-oriented texts Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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.

Required readings

Hervey, Sándor G. J., Michael. Loughridge, and Ian. Higgins. Thinking German Translation : a Course in Translation Method : German to English . Second edition. New York: Routledge, 2006.

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.

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

  • LO1. recognise German terminology of significance for contextually relevant translation
  • LO2. demonstrate understanding of translation strategies and theories
  • LO3. compare and contrast how meaning is created using different linguistic structures in German and English
  • LO4. select and support appropriate translations from German to English at phrase and sentence level
  • LO5. author an idiomatic English translation of a German-language source text
  • LO6. develop a commentary on the translation and research process.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

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.