Course Title: Discourse Studies for Translators and Interpreters

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Discourse Studies for Translators and Interpreters

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

LANG1302

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Viet1 2018,
Viet3 2018,
Viet3 2019,
Viet2 2020,
Viet1 2021,
Viet1 2022,
Viet2 2022,
Viet1 2023,
Viet2 2023,
Viet1 2024

LANG1329

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: OLGA GARCIA-CARO ALCAZAR

Course Coordinator Phone: +84 8 3776 1300

Course Coordinator Email: Olga.garcia-caro@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.5

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The course covers the main discourse features of spoken and written texts that create issues for interpretation and translation, using English texts as the basis. Particular attention is paid to cohesive devices and other feature of texts beyond the level of word or phrase.

Please see timetables for semesters and times this course is offered.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes
If you are enrolled in BP317 B of Languages, in this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:
PLO 2 - Critically reflect on the role of culture in communication and society and apply this knowledge in a range of crosscultural interactions locally and globally.

PLO 5 - Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and innovation when identifying and solving problems in diverse contexts within language related fields. 
PLO 6 - Identify, evaluate and critically analyse cultural, historical and theoretical practices which contextualise your professional practice and further study of language.
PLO 8 - Critically analyse resources, evidence and personal experience to make ethical, socially and politically aware decisions related to language and intercultural interpretations and applications.
PLO 9 - Effectively manage your own learning, developing skills in lifelong learning of languages and cross-cultural communication.



Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

CLO1: Identify sources of discoursal meaning in a text or utterance and apply the knowledge and insights of the scholarly literature to render these meanings in linguistic form in the translated or interpreted output. 

CLO2: Use problem-solving skills to identify whether a source of discoursal meaning in a text or utterance might be translated or interpreted into linguistic or extra-linguistic form. 

CLO3: Creatively consider different options for the translation or interpretation of discoursal meaning in a text or utterance, including into linguistic and extra-linguistic forms. 


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectures, tutorials, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

Classes will explore discourse features of spoken and written texts. They will be taken from transcripts, media, government and commercial information sources, technical publications and general literature.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks 

Melbourne City Campus 

Assessment Task 1: Weekly Quizzes (CLO1) 20%  

Assessment Task 2: Group Presentation. (CLO1, CLO2) 40%  

Assessment Task 3: Final exam (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3) 40%  

 

Vietnam Campus (Bachelor of Languages BP317)  

Assessment Task 1: Summary quizzes (CLO1, CLO2) 20% 

Assessment Task 2: Exploring specialised discourses (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3) 40% 

Assessment Task 3: Simulated Translation and Critical Report (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3) 40% 

 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.