Postgraduate handbook 2005 - Arts

Master of Translation Studies
(1.5-year program)

Course code: 3081 + Mid-year entry not available + 18 months full-time, 3 years part-time + On-campus (Clayton)
Course coordinator: Rita Wilson

Course description

The course seeks to develop students' skills in translation to and from English and another language, and their awareness of practical and theoretical approaches to translation and translation studies. The main languages available are Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish, and other languages depending on student numbers. An introduction to the field of translation studies is supplemented by a translation project and elective units that offer a wide range of choices, thus enabling students to work on topics tailored to their interests, whether they be vocational/practical or theoretical/literary. Electives include a unit that focuses on the work of the professional translator.

Entry requirements

The minimum requirement for entry is normally a bachelors degree with a major in a language. The level should be the equivalent of at least three years of post-VCE study. Where English is the foreign language, the student is required to have a TOEFL score of 600 (and at least 5 in TWE), or IELTS of 7 overall (including 7.0 for writing and at least 6.0 for each band). For domestic applicants, professional experience in translation may be a substitute for a bachelors degree. Such candidates must present the following information: (i) two professional references which comment on the nature and extent of the experience; (ii) a full CV; and (iii) a statement of up to 1000 words indicating the applicant's career objectives and reasons for applying for entry. International students must hold the equivalent of a bachelors degree.
Applicants who have completed a similar course in the past or are currently undertaking one are required to submit a letter of reference from a teacher in that course.

Course structure

Students will complete 48 points, including two core units and electives to the value of 12 or 24 points, chosen from the list below.

Core units

• TRN4030 Introduction to translation studies (12 points) (first semester)

and

• TRN4202 Minor translation project* (12 points) (first or second semester)

or

• TRN4201 Major translation project* (24 points) (full-year unit)

* Note that TRN4030 is a pre or corequisite for TRN4201 and TRN4202.

Electives

• TRN4100 The business of translation (6 points) (second semester)
• TRN4020 Directed reading in translation studies (6 points) (first or second semester)
• TRN4040 Translation 1: applications of theory (12 points) (first semester)
• TRN4050 Translation 2: language for special purposes (12 points) (second semester)
• 6 or 12 points of language study (existing level 9 to 12 units in the languages listed above) (first or second semester)
• Other fourth-year units in cognate areas with the approval of the coordinator (6 or 12 points) (first or second semester)

Level 5

Students will complete 24 points of electives from the list below:

• TRN5060 Theoretical issues in translation studies A (6 points)
• TRN5070 Theoretical issues in translation studies B (6 points)
• TRN 5080 Research project in translation studies (12 points)
• TRN5090 Dissertation in translation studies (24 points)
• TRN5020 Directed reading in translation studies (6 points)

Students who are enrolling in the Arabic stream as part of a cross-institutional agreement with Deakin University are permitted to include up to 36 points of units from Deakin. This will be made up of the 12-point translation project or the 24-point translation project, plus two Arabic-specific elective units (6 points each). The course coordinator at Monash should approve each student's course of study.

Minimum pass grade

To graduate with the Master of Translation Studies, students must gain a credit (60 C) or above in core units and a minimum credit average overall.

Exit points

Students will be able to exit after the successful completion of 24 points with a Graduate Certificate in Arts, and after the successful completion of 48 points with the Graduate Diploma in Translation Studies.

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