1.0   PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME

The degree programme is designed to achieve the following objectives:

1.1   Introduce students to the theoretical, practical and professional issues in the areas of translation, interpreting and intercultural communication;

1.2   Provide a platform for students interested in intercultural matters to study communication between and among cultures; and

1.3   To produce candidates with requisite skills and knowledge in the field of translation and intercultural studies that can provide professional service in the areas.

2.0   ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

2.1   NORMAL ENTRY

To qualify for normal entry into the Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Intercultural Communication, a candidate, in addition to satisfying the minimum conditions as prescribed under the General Academic Regulations for English and Mathematics, must have passed any Language subject at ‘A’ level with at least grade ‘C’.

2.2 SPECIAL ENTRY

The following persons may apply for Special Entry and for permission to proceed to a first degree with exemption from the whole or part of the normal entry requirements:

2.2.1    A person who has obtained a degree from this or another university or degree-awarding institution.

2.2.2    A person who has obtained from a University or an Institution of similar academic qualifications (other than degrees) acceptable to the Senate. A person has obtained an appropriate number of subjects at an approved examination and has subsequently passed an intermediate or equivalent examination at a University acceptable to the Senate;

2.2.3    Students who qualify under this regulation for Special Entry may apply to the Senate to be exempted from certain modules and examinations. Permission may be given to complete the programme for a Bachelor’s degree in less than the normal required period provided that no student shall be allowed direct entry to the final level of any programme.

2.2.4    Students who apply for admission under this regulation may be required to attend interviews and/or special tests at the University to determine their suitability for admission to Bachelor’s degree studies

2.3   MATURE ENTRY

Persons who are at least 25 years of age for males and 23 years for females on the first day of the academic year in which admission is sought and who are not eligible for entry under the Normal or Special Entry Regulations may apply for Mature Entry provided that:

2.3.1 Applicants must have passed at least five approved ‘O’ Level subjects including English language and Mathematics (or equivalents) and must have demonstrated potential suitability for University studies by virtue of their attainments and/or relevant work experience.

2.3.2 Normally, applicants should have completed their full-time school or college education at least five years before the start of the academic year in which admission is sought.

2.3.3 Applicants who wish to be considered under the Mature Entry provisions may be required to attend interviews and/or special tests at the University designed to assess their command of the English Language, numeracy and reasoning ability and general suitability for admission to the Bachelor’s degree studies.

2.3.4 Applicants who have previously attended Mature Entry tests and/or interviews without success will not be considered for admission under this form of entry unless in the intervening period, they have acquired additional qualifications and/or experience. 

3.0   PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

3.1 Area of Study: Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Communication

3.2 Specialist Focus: Theory and practice of Translation and Interpreting, Intercultural Theory, Multiculturalism

3.3 Orientation: Research, enterprise and professionally oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally oriented and focused on both theoretical and practical aspects.

3.4 Distinctive Features: The programme adopts an Afrocentric approach with a bias towards African languages and dialogue between and among African cultures as well as between these languages and cultures and non-African languages and cultures.

4.0   CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

4.1 Graduates of the BA Honours in Translation and Intercultural Communication degree will have career opportunities in public service, NGOs, academia, international organisations, diplomatic service, media, business and commerce, and communication-oriented fields such as public relations, among others. They will also have the requisite skills to create employment, such as innovative enterprises and consultancies, in such areas as translation, interpreting, and organisational communication. Graduates will be able to pursue MA and PhD studies in Translation, Cultural Studies and Communication.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Module                                                                                                                    Credits

Level 1

HTIC101      Introduction to Translation and Interpreting Studies                            12

HTIC102      Phonetics and Phonology                                                                                     12

HTIC103     Morphology and Syntax                                                                                       12

HTIC104      Basic French I                                                                                                          12

HTIC105      Introduction to Intercultural Communication                                     12

HTIC106      Translation and Language Documentation                                          12

HTIC107      Basic French II                                                                                                             12

HTIC108      Health, Communication and Multicultural Communities                     12

HCS135       Information, Communication and Technology                                         12

CS131       Communication Skills                                                                                             12

CS132      Extended Communication Skills                                                                         12   

Level 2

HTIC201      Concepts and Approaches in Intercultural Communication                  12

HTIC202      Theories of Translation and Interpreting                                             12

HTIC203      Translation and Interpreting Technologies                                          12

HTIC204      Corpora in Translation Studies                                                          12

HTIC205      Practical Translation                                                                         12

HTIC206      Practical Interpreting                                                                        12

HTIC207      Translation Project Management and Professional Ethics                    12

HTIC208      Introduction to Gender Studies                                                          12

ENT131       Entrepreneurship                                                                              12

 

Level 3

HTIC300      Work Placement Report                                                                    20

HTIC301      Work -Related Learning Report                                                         45

HTIC302      Academic Supervisor’s Report                                                          30

HTIC303      Employers Assessment Report                                                          30

 

Level 4

HTIC401      Specialised Translation                                                                     12

HTIC402      Translating Cultures                                                                         12

HTIC403      Intercultural Communication, Technology and the Media                    12

HTIC404      Commercial Translation                                                                    12

HTIC405      Race, Sex, Gender and Intercultural Communication                          12

HTIC470      Research Project                                                                               24

MODULE SYNOPSES

HTIC101 Introduction to Translation and Interpretation Studies

This is an introductory module which gives a general overview of the disciplines of translation and interpretation. This is done through familiarising students with interpreting and translation terminology; identifying and discussing significant historical developments in interpreting and translation studies; recognising interpreting and translation studies as an ‘inter-discipline’; understanding the various linguistic, cultural, social and other contextual factors involved in interpreting and translation work; and developing the basic skills required of interpreters and translators.

HTIC102 Phonetics and Phonology

This module exposes students to the sound system of a language and their patterning (phonetics and phonology). It is an introduction to the study of speech sounds and their patterning in the world’s languages. The module teaches how to produce, transcribe and describe, in articulatory terms, sounds of human languages.

HTIC103 Morphology and Syntax

This module provides students with the knowledge and skills of how words are formed and how sentences are constructed from words. It studies the patterns and relationships of words, phrases and clauses to form sentences and the rules by which the sentences are constructed.

HTIC104 Basic French I

This module is for total beginners in French who wish to develop basic communicative competence in French. It will develop basic linguistic and communicative skills as well as concomitant intercultural awareness to enable the learner to interact with speakers of French at a basic level.

HTIC105 Introduction to Intercultural Communication

This module introduces students to the discipline of intercultural communication. It emphasises the fact that in a global world, communication is a vital process among people of different cultural backgrounds. Elements of intercultural communication and the benefits of studying it are explored. By and large, students should have an appreciation of various communication models used by different ethnic groups.

HTIC106 Translation and Language Documentation

This module offers students an opportunity to link translation and language documentation. It is in line with the need to develop learning material for the previously marginalised languages in Zimbabwe. The module allows the students to document learning material based on the journeys and projects of seasoned translators of different languages in Zimbabwe.  The module also prepares students to work on documentation projects, with regard to practical issues such as project planning.

HTIC107 Basic French II

Building on Basic French I, this module builds up the learner’s communicative competence in terms of conversation and writing up to reporting past events, stating wishes and expressing conditions.

HTIC108 Health, Communication and Multicultural Communities

This module is concerned with communication in the health sector. Cognisant of the multiplicity of cultures in the sector the module appreciates communication in the sector. Examples include patient-doctor, migrant populations healthcare staff, etc.

HCS135 Introduction to Information Technology

Refer to the Department of Information Systems.

CS131 Basic Communication Skills

Refer to Faculty of Arts and Humanities Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.

CS132 Extended Communication Skills

Refer to Faculty of Arts and Humanities for Regulations Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.

HTIC201 Concepts and Approaches in Intercultural Communication

This module introduces students to concepts and approaches in Intercultural communication. The approaches to be studied include Afrocentricity, Constructivist Theory of Communication and Culture, Intercultural Conflict Styles, Network Theory, Theory of Adaptation, and The Convergence Theory. These theories help students to appreciate the diversity of cultures across communities.

HTIC202 Theories of Translation and Interpreting

This module introduces students to the basics of translation theory. The module provides an overview of the main contemporary theories concerning translation including linguistic, philosophical, hermeneutic, literary and cultural approaches. Students shall also be exposed to various theories that guide and inform interpretation studies.

HTIC203 Translation and Interpreting Technologies

This module focuses on machine-aided translation and interpretation. The module exposes students to new information technologies in translation and interpretation and how they can be used in translating and interpreting both written and spoken material.

HTIC204 Corpora in Translation Studies

This module provides an overview of the theory and methodology of corpus linguistics and its relevance for translators. Students are introduced to publicly available corpora and various methods for data searching, pattern elicitation and text interpretation. Basic terms are introduced, such as word lists, concordance lines, collocation and colligation, etc. Electronic tools are introduced for exploring corpora and compiling own resources through sampling, pre-processing and annotation.

HTIC205 Practical Translation

The module provides intensive practice in translation in a variety of situations and modes. The focus is on practical tasks in simulated real-life conditions. This involves practical translation, critique and analysis of translations of various texts. The module aims to develop proficiency in translations.

HTIC206 Practical Interpreting

The module provides intensive practice in interpreting in a variety of situations and modes. The focus is on practical tasks in simulated real-life conditions. This involves the practical execution of the modes of interpreting in varied situations. The module aims to develop proficiency in consecutive and simultaneous interpreting.

HTIC207 Translation Project Management and Professional Ethics

The module introduces students to translation project management and professional ethics in the translation industry. It seeks to provide students with the crucial ethical considerations in executing translation projects.

HTIC208 Introduction to Gender Studies

This module introduces students to the concept/study of gender and stresses the social constructedness of gender and gender roles. With a conceptualisation of gender and related concepts as its point of departure, the module traces the historical development of the discipline and addresses theoretical perspectives related to gender. Thereafter, the module looks at the concept of gender analysis and discusses strategies to redress gender imbalances. The module then explores gender issues in Southern Africa and concludes with a discussion on how both males and females can be empowered within the context of gender-responsive environments.

ENT131 Entrepreneurship 1

Refer to the Department of Entrepreneurship.

 

HTIC300 Work Placement Report

This is a report written by the student providing information on his/her placement details. The report format is provided by the Department.

HTIC301 Work-Related Learning Report

This is a report written by the student based on their activities and experiences during Work- Related Learning. The report format is provided by the Department.

HTIC302 Academic Supervisor’s Assessment

The Academic Supervisor’s assessment looks at the student’s conduct at the workplace. The focus will be on the ability to link working and learning, being initiative, creativity, ingenuity and perseverance in identifying and communicating with colleagues.

HTIC303 Employer’s Assessment

The host supervisor’s assessment looks at the student’s conduct and behaviour, interpersonal skills development, operational competencies and leadership qualities.

HTIC401 Specialised Translation

This is a practical module that aims to develop and build on the interpretive and applied skills and techniques in the translation of specialised discourse such as science, technology, business, media, tourism, medicine, literature, international organisations etc. The focus is on the specific features of different specialised scientific and technical genres, the approaches to translation, suitable specialised terminology, and the critical approach to assessing translation options.

HTIC402 Translating Cultures

This module focuses on understanding and applying the concepts of culture, otherness and cultural translation. These will be approached from the perspectives of anthropology and translation studies. Translation activities require not only language ability but translators are also mediators between cultures. The wider concept of translation requires understanding culture and otherness; and that almost any intercultural communication involves translation.

HTIC403 Intercultural Communication, Technology and the Media

This module explores the interface of intercultural communication, the media and new technologies in the contemporary world. The nature and impact of technology-enhanced communication across different cultures will be a major concern. Also, the position of African cultures in media and communication technology in the global space will be explored.

HTIC404 Commercial Translation

This module revolves around commercial translation in which students are trained in translating letters, company accounts, tender documents, annual reports, etc. The module is dedicated to developing specialist translators with knowledge of terminology used in the business world.

HTIC405 Race, Sex, Gender and Intercultural Communication

This module explores the intersections of race, sex, gender and intercultural communication in Africa. Race, sex and gender have a bearing on intercultural dialogue to the extent that the module grapples with the relationships.

HTIC470 Research Project

The module provides students with the opportunity to apply research methods skills through conducting actual research and writing a research project/dissertation on a selected topic in the areas of language, literature, or culture. With guidance from a member of the academic staff as supervisor, students plan and design an independent research project which relates to their overall programme of study. The size of the dissertation should range between 9000 and 10000 words.