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Unit of study_

SLCS4203: Ethics of Translation

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will introduce the principles and codes of conduct of translators as language professionals providing practical guidelines to translators. These principles and codes of conduct have been developed by Australian professional bodies of translators and interpreters and are widely endorsed by industries and language practitioners. They include professional conduct, confidentiality, competence, impartiality, accuracy, clarity of role boundaries, maintaining professional relationships and solidarity. This unit will introduce essential concepts of translation ethics to students in an advanced stage of language studies equipping them to work as language professionals in Australia.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SLCS4203
Academic unit Languages and Cultures
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
144cp including (FASS3333 or FASS3999 or ARBC3998 or ARBC3999 or CHNS3998 or CHNS3999 or FRNC3998 or FRNC3999 or GRMN3998 or GRMN3999 or BBCL3998 or BBCL3999 or HBRW3998 or HBRW3999 or INMS3998 or INMS3999 or ITLN3998 or ITLN3999 or JPNS3998 or JPNS3999 or KRNS3998 or KRNS3999 or MGRK3998 or MGRK3999 or SPAN3998 or SPAN3999) and (12cp in ARBC3* or CHNS3* or FRNC3* or GRMN3* or BBCL3* or HBRW3* or INMS3* or ITLN3* or KRNS3* or MGRK3* or SPAN3*)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Christine Ji, christine.ji@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Case analysis Test 1
Applying the translation principles learnt in practical work scenarios.
10% Week 02 0.5 hr
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Small continuous assessment Case analysis Test 2
Applying the translation principles learnt in practical work scenarios.
5% Week 04 0.5hr
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Small continuous assessment Case analysis Test 3
Applying the translation principles learnt in practical work scenarios.
5% Week 06 0.5hr
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Small continuous assessment Case analysis Test 4
Applying the translation principles learnt in practical work scenarios.
10% Week 08 0.5hr
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Small continuous assessment Case analysis Test 5
Applying the translation principles learnt in practical work scenarios.
5% Week 10 0.5hr
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Presentation group assignment Team Project
Develop and present a team project applying the principles of translation.
25% Week 12 10 minutes or less.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment Case analysis Test 6
Applying the translation principles learnt in practical work scenarios.
5% Week 12 0.5hr
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Small test Knowledge Test
Test essential concepts, principles of ethical translation & interpreting.
20% Week 13 1hr
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration Interviews
Apply the overall knowledge acquired in this unit.
15% Week 13 5 minutes.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

This unit contains a lecture and a tutorial or workshop per week for 13 weeks. Various assessments will  be designed to examine timely the students’ understanding of the new knowledge and their competency to apply the new knowledge in complex scenarios. The knowledge test (20%) will evaluate students’ understanding of essential concepts and principles of ethical translation. The scenario-based case analyses will test students’ ability to apply the new knowledge in real-life, complex scenarios. The group project (25%) provides an opportunity for students to develop a simulated case study to interpret the principles and codes of conduct in self-designed scenarios. During the oral interview, students will have the opportunity to discuss with the examiner applying the overall knowledge acquired in this unit.

Assessment criteria

Result code

Result name

Mark range

Description

HD

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

DI

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

CR

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

PS

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

AF

Absent fail

0 - 49

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Translation Accuracy Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Translation Accuracy Explained Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Week 02 Case Analyses of Applying Translation Accuracy in Practical Scenarios. Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Test 1 and Discussions Tutorial (1 hr) LO4
Week 03 Professional Competence Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Professional Competence Explained. Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Week 04 Case Analyses of Applying Professional Competence in Practical Scenarios. Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Test 2 and Discussions Tutorial (1 hr) LO4
Week 05 Translation Impartiality Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Translation Impartiality Explained. Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Week 06 Case Analyses of Applying Translation Impartiality in Practical Scenarios. Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Test 3 and Discussions. Tutorial (1 hr) LO4
Week 07 Translation Confidentiality Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Translation Confidentiality Explained. Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Week 08 Case Analyses of Applying Translation Confidentiality in Practical Scenarios. Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Test 4 and Discussions. Tutorial (1 hr) LO4
Week 09 Role boundaries Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Role Boundaries Explained. Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Week 10 Case Analyses of Applying Translation Role Boundaries in Practical Scenarios. Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Test 5 and Discussions. Tutorial (1 hr) LO4
Week 11 Professional relationships Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Case Analyses of Applying Translation Professional relationships in Practical Scenarios. Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Week 12 Team Project Project (1 hr) LO3
Test 6 and Discussions. Tutorial (1 hr) LO4
Week 13 Translation Ethics Knowledge Test Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Interviews Tutorial (1 hr) LO4

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 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. Students will learn to demonstrate a familiarity with essential concepts and principles of ethical translation practices.
  • LO2. Students will learn to apply the principles and codes of conduct in real-life, complex scenarios based on the thorough scenario-based case studies exercise throughout the semester.
  • LO3. Students will learn to demonstrate practical skills to work professionally, effectively with a range of stakeholders, clients.
  • LO4. Students will learn to make professionally sound decisions and adhere to the codes of conduct in complex contexts.

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.

This is the second time this unit is offered. The teaching content has been updated with feedback from the previous cohort of students.

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.