| Unit name | The Language Services Industry and International Affairs |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODLM0079 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Mr. Paul Golf |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
This flagship unit will introduce students to the global context of the language services industry and the diverse roles that interpreters and translators play in fields such as diplomacy and geopolitics, international trade and business, and human rights. The multidisciplinary nature of the course provides an environment for individual interest and academic enquiry to combine with professional skills training in the essentials of business management. The curriculum is inherently integrative and encourages students to draw connections in innovative ways to build their individual profiles as academics and practitioners. It is likely that some or all the topics covered will be completely new to students, offering intellectually challenging content that invites critical engagement and sparks lively debate. Developing a broad, generalist’s perspective is essential for translators and interpreters, as well as being highly desirable as a transferable skill in other fields.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
As a core unit in the first teaching block, this unit adds necessary context to students’ professional development as language professionals. It provides a kind of foundation upon which the rest of the programme can sit and be linked together. Practical business skills are essential for anyone working as either a freelancer or in-house translator/interpreter and are also transferable into other fields. The lectures and readings in International Affairs complement the material covered in other units by enhancing research skills and general knowledge, and by asking students to consider the ethical and societal role language professionals play in the world.
An overview of content
The unit is split into three components which are designed to work together. The first is a team-taught lecture series covering various topics in International Affairs, such as economics and globalization, diplomacy, and international law. Lectures will be delivered by internal and external guest experts in respective fields, and will invite students to consider how translators and interpreters play a role across many different arenas in world affairs. Exposure to a broad range of topics allows students to pursue their own interests in further readings and preparation for the final assessment. The second component addresses foundational issues in the operational business management of Language Service Provision (LSP) companies. This gives an introduction to the basics of business operation which can be transferred into other fields. The third component involves practical training in English-language presentation skills and public speaking.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Successful students will have broadened their interdisciplinary knowledge and have had the chance to engage in a transformative way with a critical consideration of the role their chosen profession plays in world affairs. They will have the opportunity to build subject-matter expertise and make independent choices regarding which topics covered in the unit are of most interest to them in their final assessment. They will also have a firm grounding in principles of business management, increasing their confidence and outlook for their future careers.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, a successful student will be able to:
Structured learning takes place through a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops. There will be pre-reading and other preparatory exercises set following lectures in preparation for seminar discussions around the week’s topic. For the industry-linked content in the course, you will be introduced to different models of business project management and operational analysis, and will be given problem-based practical exercises such as filling in the business model canvas or assessing a market opportunity using tools such as SWOT analysis or Ansoff matrix. Some of these exercises will be carried out in groups, with feedback received both from tutors and peers. The practical sessions will give students the chance to deliver oral presentations and receive feedback on their delivery and content in preparation for the final assessment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students will be asked to prepare for lectures and seminar sessions through assigned pre-readings. A draft proposal of the final presentation will be expected following the reading week, to be discussed with the unit coordinator and/or personal tutor. Formative activities simulating operations such as writing a business plan or writing an email to a client will help to activate learning and refine communication skills. There will be an opportunity for practice presentations to be delivered to receive feedback prior to the final presentation at the end of the teaching block.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
A 10-minute presentation with audiovisual presentation on the topic of your choosing, drawn from the material covered in the lectures and seminars (100% of grade, ILOs 1-3) to be carried out either in person or via recording and submission at the end of the teaching block.
When assessment does not go to plan
If the assessment fails to reach a passing grade (50%), resubmission is permitted during the reassessent period in the same format. Students may be permitted to resubmit a presentation with the same topic or may be asked to choose a new topic depending on the circumstances. Ordinarily the grade for reassessments is capped at 50%, but in case of Exceptional Circumstances the examination board may recommend mark penalties are reduced or removed altogether.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MODLM0079).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
