PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES KEY FACTS Programme name Award School Department or equivalent Programme code Type of study Total UK credits 180 Total ECTS 90 PROGRAMME SUMMARY Legal Translation MA School of Arts and Social Sciences Creative Practice and Enterprise - Centre for Creative Writing, Translation and Publishing PSLETR Full Time /Part Time This course provides an overview of the legal systems and relevant terminology in England and Wales as well as those of the country of your other language. The course establishes a theoretical framework for legal translation and offers extensive practice in translating key documents in a wide range of legal fields. This new curriculum was developed in consultation with the legal translation industry and is closely tailored to its needs. Aims - To provide you with a comprehensive, high quality programme consisting of an overview of the legal systems and relevant terminology in the jurisdictions of your source and target language, a theoretical framework for legal translation as well as practical experience in translating key documents in a wide range of legal fields - To identify and develop specific skills involved in the process of translating legal documents - To encourage the use of professional standards and ethics within the legal translation sector - To provide you with an up-to-date curriculum reflecting the needs of the legal translation market - To enable you to develop your analytical capacities and the ability to examine and critically assess complex legal concepts and terminology in your source and target language - To enable you to gain insights into legal translation at a postgraduate level which will prepare you for a career as a legal translator. 1
WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE? On successful completion of this programme, you will be expected to be able to: Knowledge and understanding: Analyse the issues and processes involved in the translation of legal documents Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of the legal translator with reference to the genres discussed in the individual modules Understand the differences between your source language and target language legal systems Skills: Critically assess legal translation skills and make reasoned judgements in respect of the application of individual translation strategies across a range of translation problems Read and analyse legal documents in both source and target language from a variety of different genres Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your own work, identify areas for improvement and apply appropriate strategies to achieve a professional standard Plan, research, draft and edit translations of legal texts from a variety of genres to a professional standard Gather, retrieve and synthesise information for the purpose of legal translation from a variety of genres Work in a professional, independent way, show self-discipline, self-direction and reflection skills, applying highly developed organisational skills Engage with and critically evaluate the major translation theories in respect of their application to the field of legal translation Critically evaluate and use appropriate resources for legal translators Critically evaluate and apply strategies for continuing professional development Values and attitudes: Appreciate the imperative of accuracy in legal translation Demonstrate an awareness of and adherence to standards of professional ethics and conduct 2
HOW WILL I LEARN? The course is offered in a range of different language combinations You are normally expected to translate into your mother tongue or language of habitual use. The educational aims of this programme are achieved through a combination of lectures, practical document analysis sessions and translation workshops and a distance learning component. The course consists of eight taught modules and the dissertation. If you are studying full time, you attend the university eight times a year over a one year period while if you are studying part time, you attend four times a year over a two year period. Each intensive face to face teaching block is at the start of the relevant module, and takes place intensively over a 3 or 4 day period. Of the eight taught modules, two focus on the theory of legal translation and the professional aspects of working as a legal translator, (LAM010 and LAM046/7 respectively) while the other six (LAM011/42, LAM013/45, LAM012/41, LAM048/49, LAM016 and LAM017) each focus on a different area of law and involve practical translation work in the relevant areas. For LAM010 and LAM046/7 you are all taught together in lecture and seminar groups, and the lectures are all in English. For the other modules, on the first two days of each of the 4 day sessions you receive lectures on the key legal principles of law in England and Wales which underpin the drafting of the documents you are required to translate. You also attend document analysis sessions in which key documents in English of the genre relevant to the particular module are discussed in terms of the legal content and terminology. The third day consists of lectures on the key legal concepts relevant to the module of the jurisdiction of your other language, and the lectures are taught in the relevant language. There are also sessions focussing on analysis of key document types in your other language. You thus receive input on the law and key document types with their terminology in English and one other language which help you identify key similarities and differences between the two relevant legal systems. The fourth day of the input sessions on these modules consists of practical translation workshops which develop skills and strategies for the translation of key documents some of which have formed the basis of the document analysis sessions in the relevant legal areas. They will also be used to debate legal translation issues and provide guidance for further study. You are split into smaller groups for this part of the programme depending on your individual language direction. There are also one or more translation theory/research methodology and/or assignment briefing sessions scheduled during each module teaching block. Attendance is then complemented by the distance learning part of the course for which you are required to submit formally assessed assignments (which consist of a variety of essays, translations, reflective commentaries, terminology research and a portfolio. There is also the option of doing a translation exam and an oral presentation for modules LAM016 and LAM047 respectively. You are given constructive individual feedback to help you to progress and to develop your skills. You are required to undertake 3
extensive reading and independent study in order to understand legal frameworks within the relevant jurisdictions and appropriate documentation used within these. For the dissertation, you will receive (3 hours) one-to-one tutorials (which may be delivered face to face or virtually), written feedback on up to 3000 words of your dissertation, and the opportunity to develop research methods and writing skills by attending the various research methodology workshops delivered during the taught modules. WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT? Assessment and Assessment Criteria Assessment is in the form of coursework - assessed essays, translation assignments and reflective commentaries, terminology documentation, a portfolio, and an optional translation exam and oral presentation, plus the final dissertation or extended annotated translation. Assessment Criteria are descriptions, based on the intended learning outcomes, of the skills, knowledge or attitudes that you need to demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured. Grade- Related Criteria are descriptions of the level of skills, knowledge or attributes that you need to demonstrate in order achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured and placed within the overall set of marks. Assessment Criteria and Grade-Related Criteria will be made available to you to support you in completing assessments. These may be provided in programme handbooks, module specifications, on the virtual learning environment or attached to a specific assessment task. Feedback on assessment Written feedback on assignments will be provided by tutors in two ways: Firstly in the form of band grades for each assessment criterion with an overall assignment mark and general comments given on the marksheet which will be returned to you together with your marked assignment, Secondly in the form of comments and corrections made on your assignment itself. You should make sure you read both the marksheet and the marked assignment carefully as these serve both as summative feedback (marks which are awarded on the basis of your performance) and formative feedback (advice on how to improve your performance in future assignments) Marksheet criteria will differ from assignment to assignment depending on the nature of the task set, i.e., whether it is an essay, a translation assignment, a terminology research project, a portfolio etc... Feedback will be provided in line with our Assessment and Feedback Policy You will normally be provided with feedback within three weeks of the submission deadline or 4
assessment date. This will include a provisional grade or mark. The timescale for feedback on dissertations will be longer. The full policy can be found at: https://www.city.ac.uk/ data/assets/pdf_file/0008/68921/assessment_and_feedback_p olicy.pdf Assessment Regulations In order to pass your Programme, you should complete successfully or be exempted from the relevant modules and assessments and will therefore acquire the required number of credits. The Pass mark for each module is 50%. You are required to achieve a minimum mark of 50% for each individual assessment component for a given module in order to pass the module. The module mark is calculated from the combined marks of the individual module assignments (See individual module specifications for further details) If you fail an assessment component or a module, the following will apply:- Resit: you will normally be offered one resit attempt. However, if you did not participate in the first assessment and have no extenuating circumstances, you may not be offered a resit. If you are successful in the resit, you shall be awarded the credit for that module. The mark used for the purpose of calculation towards your Award shall be calculated from the original marks for the component(s) that you passed at first attempt and the minimum pass mark for the component(s) for which you took a resit. If you do not satisfy your resit by the date specified you will not progress and the Assessment Board shall require that you withdraw from the Programme. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme, but satisfy the requirements for a lower-level Award, then a lower qualification may be awarded as per the table below. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme and are not eligible for the award of a lower level qualification, the Assessment Board shall require that you withdraw from the Programme. If you would like to know more about the way in which assessment works at City, please see the full version of the Assessment Regulations at: http://www.city.ac.uk/ data/assets/word_doc/0003/69249/s19.doc 5
WHAT AWARD CAN I GET? Master s Degree: Taught and Dissertation HE Credits Weighting Class % required (%) 7 180 100 With Distinction 70 With Merit 60 With Pass 50 Postgraduate Diploma: HE Credits Weighting Class % required (%) Taught 7 120 100 With Distinction 70 With Merit 60 With Pass 50 Postgraduate Certificate: HE Credits Weighting Class % required (%) Taught 7 60 100 With Distinction 70 With Merit 60 Without classification 50 WHAT WILL I STUDY? Taught component Part time students must successfully complete modules in the following structure: Year 1 Core modules: LAM010 / LAM011 / LAM013 Year 1 Elective modules: LAM046 / LAM047 Year 2 Core modules: LAM012) / LAM048 / LAM016 / LAM017 / LAM018 Full time students must successfully complete modules in the following structure: Year 1 Core modules: LAM010 / LAM041 / LAM042 / LAM049 / LAM045 / LAM016 / LAM017 / LAM018 6
Year 1 Elective modules: LAM046 / LAM047 Module Title SITS Code 7 Module Credits Core/ Elective Can be compensated? Principles and Practice of LAM010 15 C N 7 Legal Translation Terminology and Translation LAM011 15 C N 7 of Contracts Translation for Litigation LAM012 15 C N 7 Terminology and Translation LAM013 15 C N 7 of Property Documents European law: principles and LAM016 15 C N 7 translation Financial Legal Translation LAM017 15 C N 7 Translation for Litigation LAM041 15 C N 7 Terminology and Translation LAM042 15 C N 7 of Contracts Terminology and Translation LAM045 15 C N 7 of Property Documents Company and commercial - Legal principles and translation LAM048 15 C N 7 Company and commercial - Legal principles and translation LAM049 15 C N 7 Setting up as a professional LAM046 15 E N 7 translator Tendering for commission LAM047 15 E N 7 Dissertation component This consists of either an extended annotated translation or a piece of individual research on a topic relevant to the field of legal translation. Module Title SITS Code Module Credits Core/ Elective Can be Compensated? Dissertation LAM018 60 C N 7 TO WHAT KIND OF CAREER MIGHT I GO ON? The course aims to enable you to gain insights into legal translation at a postgraduate level which will assist you in a career as a legal translator. By linking the theoretical framework of legal translation with the practical aspects of the discipline, it encourages you to discuss translation difficulties and pitfalls, helps you to reflect on your own translation practice and provides you with the critical, analytical and research skills necessary for success in the translation industry.
While many of our graduates work as freelance translators, a significant number have been able to raise their rates and expand their client bases since successfully completing the MA. Others have taken up positions as in-house translators at international companies and law firms such as Nintendo and Freshfields, and at academic institutions like the Max Planck Institute of Comparative Law, while one of our graduates now works as a Lawyer-Linguist at the Court of Justice of the European Union. In addition to these translation positions, one of our former students is project manager in the translation division of the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation in London, while two others have decided to continue their studies by embarking on PhDs in translation. If you would like more information on the Careers support available at City, please go to: http://www.city.ac.uk/careers/for-students-and-recent-graduates. HOW DO I ENTER THE PROGRAMME? You should normally have a good first degree (2:1) in a relevant subject (Languages, Linguistics, Philology, Translation or Law) and be able to demonstrate competence at a level equivalent to either a first degree or IELTS 7.0 in a language other than your mother tongue. Y o u should normally translate into your mother tongue or language of habitual use. You might be asked to do a short translation test or send sample translations to the Programme Team to demonstrate your proficiency in source and target languages before being offered a place on the course. APL/AP(E)L Requirements Students will not be able to claim Accreditation for Prior Experiential learning ( APEL) Students wishing to claim Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL) based on previously obtained qualifications will need to demonstrate that they meet the learning outcomes of the claimed module(s) The limit of available APL is 25%, i.e. MA award - 45 credits, PG Dip Award - 30 credits. Version: 1.0 Version date: July 2012 For use from: 2012-13 8