Bachelor of Arts in Translation: German, English, Arabic

Study Plan

Bachelor of Arts
in Translation:
German, English, Arabic

2015/16

Program Objectives

The program aims at graduating translators who have

a high command of three working languages (Arabic, German and English)
acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills in translation
acquired knowledge in three fields of specialized translation
excellent cultural and intercultural communication skills with regard to their own culture and some cultures in which their working languages are used
gained insight into the German society and culture during one semester at a German university
completed a limited period of practical training in Germany

Learning Outcomes

Program graduates will be able to

use their working languages confidently and in an appropriate way
translate various kinds of texts from various fields of knowledge
Carry out translation tasks which go beyond the traditional tasks of a translator, such as website localization, subtitling, etc.
make appropriate use of new information technologies and translation tools
Use different kinds of references properly (dictionaries, parallel texts, online information sources etc.)
communicate appropriately within their own culture as well as between different cultures
take on responsibility and work both individually and in teams
identify problems and find ways of solving them
adapt quickly to new tasks and new fields
work on both the national and international level

Framework for BA Degree (Semester Credits)

Classification / Credit Hours
Compulsory / Elective / Total
University Requirements / 24 / 6 / 30
School Requirements / 25 / 0 / 25
Programme Requirements / 81 / 21 / 102
Total = / 135 / 22 / 157

University Requirements: 30 Credit Hours
Compulsory: 24 Credit Hours

Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Lecture / Prerequisite
ARB 099 / Arabic 99 / 0 / 3 / -
ARB 100 / Arabic 100 / 3 / 3 / ARB 99
GERS 101 / German I / 3 / 9 / -
GERS 102 / German II / 3 / 9 / GERS 101
GERS 201 / German III / 3 / 9 / GERS 102
ENGL 098 / English I / 0 / 3 / -
ENGL 099 / English II / 0 / 3 / ENGL 098
ENGL 101 / English III / 1 / 3 / ENGL 099
ENGL 102 / English IV / 1 / 3 / ENGL 101
ENGL 201 / English V / 2 / 3 / ENGL 102
ENGL 202 / English VI / 2 / 3 / ENGL 201
NE 101 / National Education / 3 / 3 / -
MILS 100 / Military Sciences / 3 / 3 / -
Total / 24

1.2. Elective: 6 Credit Hours

Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Lecture / Pre-requisite
IC 101 / Intercultural Communication / 3 / 3 / -
SFTS 101 / Soft Skills / 3 / 3 / -
SE 301* / Social Entrepreneurship & Enterprises / 3 / 3 / -
EI 101 / Leadership and Emotional Intelligence / 3 / 3 / -
DES 101 / Arts Appreciation / 3 / 3 / -
BE 302* / Business Entrepreneurship / 3 / 3 / -
TW 303 / Technical and Workplace Writing / 3 / 3 / -
PE101 / Sports and Health / 3 / 3 / -
Total / 6

(*) Students cannot register for both SE 301 and BE 302.

School Requirements: 25 Credit Hours

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. / Lecture / Lab. / Prerequisite
GERS202 / German IV / 3 / 9 / 0 / GERS201
GERS301 / German V – Advanced Conversation and Writing / 3 / 6 / 0 / GERS202
GLS101 / German Language Skills: Learning Tools for Oral and Written Expression / 1 / 3 / 0 / -
GLS102 / German Language Skills: Texts in Popular Culture / 2 / 3 / 0 / GERS101
GLS201 / German Language Skills: Film and Visual Media / 2 / 3 / 0 / GERS102
GLS202 / German Language Skills: Business Communication / 2 / 3 / 0 / GERS201
GLS301 / German Language Skills: Specialized Language in Business and Law Texts / 2 / 3 / 0 / GERS202
SL111 / Introduction to Linguistics (E) / 3 / 3 / 0 / ENGL 101
SL332 / Intercultural Studies (G) / 3 / 3 / 0 / GERS202
CS112 / Computing Fundamentals / 4 / 3 / 3 / -
Total / 25

Major Requirements: 102 Credit Hours

3.1. Program Requirements (Compulsory): 81Credit Hours

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. Hr. / Lect. / Lab. / Prerequisite
GERS 302 / German VI – Negotiating Skills and Application Training / 3 / 6 / 0 / GERS 301
TRA 112 / Arabic Functional Syntax and Morphology / 3 / 3 / 0 / ARB100
TRA 115 / English Functional Syntax and Morphology / 3 / 3 / 0 / ENGL
101/
SL111
TRA 121 / Basic Principles of Translation / 3 / 3 / 0 / ENGL 101
TRA 281 / Introduction to Academic Research and Writing / 3 / 3 / 0 / ENGL 102
TRA 212 / Arabic Rhetoric and Semantics / 3 / 3 / 0 / ARB100
TRA 217 / English Semantics and Pragmatics / 3 / 3 / 0 / SL111/ ENGL 102
TRA 215 / Contrastive Linguistics I (AR – EN) / 3 / 3 / 0 / SL111 / ENGL 201
TRA 216 / Contrastive Linguistics II (AR – GE) / 3 / 3 / 0 / SL 111 /
GERS 201
TRA 231 / General Translation I (EN - AR) / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA121 / ENGL 201
TRA 232 / General Translation II (AR – EN) / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA121 / ENGL 202
TRA 233 / General Translation III (GE – AR) / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA 121 / GERS 201
TRA 234 / Contemporary Issues Relating to the Arabic Language / 3 / 3 / 0 / ARB100
TRA 313 / Professional Texts: Analysis and Writing (Arabic) / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA 212
TRA 335 / Translation of Media Texts (AR -EN -GE) / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA 121/ GERS 201/
ENGL 201
TRA 332 / General Translation IV (AR – GE) / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA 233
TRA 352 / Fundamentals of Literary Translation (AR -EN -GE) / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA 121/ GERS 201/
ENGL 201
TRA 372 / Lexicology and Terminology (E/A) / 3 / 3 / 0 / ENGL 201
TRA 381 / Research Topics in Translation / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA 281
TRA 392 / Translation in Professional Contexts (E/G) / 3 / 3 / 0 / GERS 201 / ENGL 201
TRA 491 / International Internship / 12 / 0 / 36 / GERS 302
TRA 536 / Translation of Legal Texts
(AR -EN-GE) / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA 121/
GERS 201/
ENGL 201
TRA 582 / Research Colloquium / 3 / 3 / 0 / TRA 381
TRA 583 / B.A. Thesis / 3 / 0 / 0 / TRA 381
Total / 81

3.2. Program Requirements (Electives): 21 Credit Hours

Two language courses (semester abroad)

Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Lect. / Prerequisite
TRA 401 / German Language Course I / 1 / 2 / GERS 302
TRA 402 / German Language Course II / 1 / 2 / GERS 302

Three of the following courses (semester abroad):

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. /

Lect.

/ Prerequisite

TRA 433

Translation GE-AR

/ 3 /

2

/ -

TRA 434

Translation GE-EN

/ 3 /

2

/ -

TRA 435

Translation AR - GE

/ 3 /

2

/ -

Two of the following courses (semester abroad):

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. Hr. /

Lect.

/ Prerequisite

TRA 461

Culture Studies Germany

/ -

TRA 462

Culture Studies GB

/ -

TRA 463

Culture Studies USA

/ 2 /

/ -

TRA 464

Culture Studies Arab World

/ 2 /

/ -

TRA 472

Special Topics in Translation

/ 2 /

/ -
Elective: One of the following courses in specific fields of translation

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. /

Lect.

/ Prerequisite

TRA 537

/ Translation of Scientific and Technical Texts (AR-EN- GE) /

/ 3 / TRA 491

TRA 534

/ Interpreting /

/ 3 / TRA 491

TRA 535

/ Special Topics in Research /

/ 3 / TRA 491
Elective: One of the following courses

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. /

Lect.

/ Prerequisite

TRA 541

Desktop Publishing

/ 3 /

/ ENGL 102

TRA 540

Audiovisual Translation and Electronic Translation Tools

/ 3 /

/ ENGL 102

TRA 545

English Discourse Analysis

/ 3 /

/ ENGL 102
TRA 546 / Sociolinguistics /

/ 3 / ENGL 102

Study Plan Guide for the Bachelor Degree in Translation; German, English, Arabic

First Year
First Term

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. / Lect. / Lab / Prerequisite
ARB100 / Arabic /

Placement Test

GERS 101

/ German I /

GLS 101 / German Language Skills: Learning Tools for Oral and Written Expression /

ENGL102/201/202 / English IV, V, VI /

1/2

Placement Test

SL111

/ Introduction to Linguistics (E) /

ENGL 101

CS112 / Computing fundamentals /

Total

15/16

First Year
Second Term

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. / Lect. / Prerequisite

GERS 102

/ German II /

GERS101

ENGL 201/202

English V, VI

ENGL102

GLS102

German Language Skills: Texts in Popular Culture

GERS101

TRA 112

/ Arabic Functional Syntax and Morphology /

ARB 100

TRA 115

/ English Functional Syntax and Morphology /

ENGL 101/ SL111

TRA 121

Basic Principles of Translation (E)

ENGL 101

NE301

National Education

Total

15/

19 /

Second Year
First Term

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. / Lect. / Prerequisite
GERS 201 / German III /

GERS 102

GLS 201

German Language Skills: Film and Visual Media

GERS 102

ENGL 202

English VI

ENGL201

TRA 212

/ Arabic Rhetoric and Semantics /

ARB 100

TRA 217

/ English Semantics and Pragmatics /

SL111/ ENGL 102

TRA 215

/ Contrastive Linguistics I (AR – EN) /

SL111 /

ENGL 201

TRA 231

/ General Translation I (EN – AR) /

TRA 121 / ENGL 201

University Requirement Elective I

Total

19/

22 /

Second Year
Second Term

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. / Lect. / Prerequisite

GERS 202

/ German IV /

GERS 201

GLS 202

/ German Language Skills: Business Communication /

GERS 201

TRA 216

/ Contrastive Linguistics II (AR – GE) /

SL 111 /

GERS 201

TRA 232

/ General Translation II (AR – EN) /

TRA 121 / ENGL 202

TRA 233

/ General Translation III (GE – AR) /

TRA 121 /

GERS 201

TRA 234

/ Contemporary Issues Relating to the Arabic Language /

ARB100

TRA 281

Introduction to Academic Research and Writing (E)

ENGL 201

Total

Third Year
First Term
Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Lect. / Prerequisite

GERS 301

/ German V – Advanced Conversation and Writing /

GERS 202

GLS 301

/ German Language Skills: Specialized Language in Business and Law Texts /

GERS 202

TRA 335

/ Translation of Media Texts (EN-AR-GE) / 3 /

/ TRA 121/ GERS 201/
ENGL 201

TRA 313

Professional Texts: Analysis and Writing (Arabic)

TRA 212

SL 332

Intercultural Studies (G)

GERS 202

TRA 352

/ Fundamentals of literary Translation (AR-EN-GE) /

/ TRA 121/ GERS 201/
ENGL 201
University Requirement Elective II /

Total

Third Year
Second Term

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hrs. / Lect. / Prerequisite

GERS 302

/ German VI – Negotiating Skills and Application Training /

GERS 301

TRA 335

/ General Translation IV (AR – GE) /

TRA 233

TRA 372

/ Lexicology and Terminology (A/E) /

ENGL 201

TRA 381

/ Research Topics in Translation /

ENGL 201

TRA 392

/ Translation in Professional Contexts (E/G) /

GERS 201 /

ENGL 201

MILS 100

/ Military Science /

Total

Academic semester in Germany

Fourth Year
First Term
Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Lecture / Pre-requisite
Two German Language Courses:
TRA 401 / German Language Course I / 1 / 2 / GERS 302
TRA 402 / German Language Course II / 1 / 2 / GERS 302
Three courses from these areas:
TRA 433 / Translation GE-AR / 3 / 2 / -
TRA 434 / Translation GE-EN / 3 / 2 / -
TRA 435 / Translation AR -GE / 3 / 2 / -
Two courses from these areas:
TRA 461 / Culture Studies Germany / 2 / 2 / -
TRA 462 / Culture Studies GB / 2 / 2 / -
TRA 463 / Culture Studies USA / 2 / 2 / -
TRA 464 / Culture Studies Arab World / 2 / 2 / -
TRA 471 / Special Topics in Translation / 2 / 2 / -
Total / 15 / 14

Internship in Germany

Fourth Year
Second Term
Course No. / Course Title / Cr. hrs. / Lecture / Lab / Pre-requisite
TRA 491 / International Internship / 12 / 0 / 36 / GERS 302
Fifth Year
First Term

Course No.

Course Title

/ Cr. hr. / Lect. / Prerequisite

TRA 536

/ Translation of Legal Texts (EN- AR- GE) /

/ 3 / TRA 372
Elective: One of the following courses in specific fields of translation

TRA 537

/ Translation of Scientific and Technical Texts (AR-EN- GE) /

/ 3 / TRA 491

TRA 534

/ Interpreting /

/ 3 / TRA 491

TRA 535

/ Special Topics in Research /

/ 3 / TRA 491
Elective: One of the following courses

TRA 541

/ Desktop Publishing /

/ 3 / ENGL 102

TRA 540

/ Audiovisual Translation and Electronic Tools /

/ 3 / ENGL 102

TRA 545

/ English Discourse Analysis /

/ 3 / ENGL 102
TRA 546 / Sociolinguistics /

/ 3 / ENGL 102

TRA 582

/ Research Colloquium /

TRA 381

TRA 583

/ B.A. Thesis / 3 /

TRA 381

Total

Course Descriptions BA Translation: German, English, Arabic

School Requirements (25 Credit Hours)

GLS 101 – German Language Skills: Learning Tools for Oral and Written Expression

Contents: In this course, students become acquainted with several tools for learning a foreign language; especially programs that are available online: Apart from commonly known tools, this course introduces vocabulary programs such as Anki and Quizlet, online dictionaries based on authentic texts and corpora as well as the e-learning plattform Moodle. Students do not only get to know these tools, they also apply them in oral and written language production.

Competencies: Students know a variety of learning tools and how to use them efficiently in their language learning and practice. They have the ability to work together in a group on basic projects, researching meanings of words, producing meaningful sentences, dialogues and other text structures. Thus, they obtain basic oral and written skills relevant to everyday life in Germany.

GLS 102 – German Language Skills: Texts in Popular Culture

Contents: This course gives the students an introduction to German culture through simple texts such as song lyrics, poems, comics, etc. Students learn about German history and culture through these popular texts.

Competencies: Studying song lyrics and other texts from popular culture, students will obtain an easy and interesting access to German history and culture. They improve their listening, reading, and pronunciation skills in various tasks based on songs. Apart from dealing with the texts, students can carry out projects about certain artists, writers, or cultural phenomena in general, which they can later present to the class in a basic presentation – another skill to be trained in this course.

GLS 201 – German Language Skills: Film and Visual Media

Contents: In this course, German society and culture is studied through German films from various epochs. Students are also introduced to the German visual media in general: the various television channels, Internet sites, magazines, etc.

Competencies: Film clips are presented with subtitles, so that students improve their listening skills as well as their vocabulary. Based on the films, students learn how to write short summaries and characterizations of protagonists. They also apply language in creative ways, through several creative writing tasks. Furthermore, students also practice their speaking skills, performing several of these film scenes in the class room. They gain knowledge about visual media in Germany and know about the most important media institutions and personalities.

GLS 202 – German Language Skills: Business Communication

Contents: In this course, students develop their language skills in a business context. Starting with written correspondence – business letters, E-mails, Invoices, etc. – students later apply business language also in oral situations: planning a business meeting on the telephone or presenting business statistics in a presentation.

Competencies: Students acquire specific linguistic structures that can be applied in formal business letters. They learn about the form of such documents and how to address business partners and clients. While acquiring these formal writing skills, they also extend their specific business vocabulary, which they later practice in situations of oral communication. The focus is on the confident application of interactive language in the everyday life of a company.

GLS 301 – German Language Skills: Specialized Language in Business and Law Texts

Contents: This course provides an introduction to the different types of text common in the field of business. These are the text types that the students are most likely to deal with in their later professional life in a company. Technical vocabulary is acquired through the study of these texts and it is applied in text production tasks.

Competencies: Students who complete this course know the most common text types from the field of business and law in German. They are able to analyze and write such texts, using appropriate vocabulary and expressions. They can differentiate between different registers of words and structures, as they are used in the respective text types.

GERS 301 – German V – Advanced Conversation and Writing

Contents: This course is divided into two parts: On the one hand, students acquire advanced speaking skills in everyday life contexts that are relevant to their stay in Germany. On the other hand, they develop the basic writing skills important especially in the context of education in Germany: summaries, reports, protocols, etc.

Competencies: Students are enabled to speak about their everyday life, about their education and professional experience, they are able to solve problems through discussion, and they are able to state their opinion about certain social, political, or cultural questions. Furthermore, they develop basic text forms relevant to the context of universities Germany, using appropriate vocabulary.

SL 111 – Introduction to Linguistics (E)

Contents: This course provides an introduction to the study of language. It presents the fundamental topics of linguistics and introduces the analysis of the key elements of language – sounds, words, structures, and meanings. However, this introduction goes beyond the basic topics of “grammar”, which are already covered by the various language courses. Instead, this introductory course gives the students an overview of the various fields of linguistics, such as phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, lexicography, sociolinguistics, text linguistics, pragmatics, etc. This course is taught in English.

Competencies: Students are familiar with basic structures of language and their designations, the various academic areas of linguistics, as well as important questions of linguistic research. They acquire the most important concepts for linguistic analysis. Furthermore, they develop their knowledge in group work, where they study concepts, structures, and texts, which they are able to present to the class. They also practice basic academic text forms, such as protocols and summaries, accompanying the course.

SL 332 – Intercultural Studies (G)

Contents: This course is designed as a space for intercultural encounters between Jordanian students (those who will spend the following year in Germany) and German exchange students. Students from both countries exchange practical information about their countries that is relevant to the everyday life of exchange students. They discuss and develop projects of cultural exchange, and debate common stereotypes and possible intercultural conflicts, thus developing sensitivity for dealing with the other. This course is taught primarily in German.

Competencies: Students completing this course deepen their intercultural sensitivity, reflecting stereotypes and, possibly, certain “fears” of the Other. They develop their ability to work in a group, both with students from their own culture and from the foreign culture. They obtain a deeper immersion in Jordanian/German culture, respectively, as they acquire specific knowledge about everyday life in the foreign country. They also develop their presentation skills, as they present and perform their cultural projects in class.

Programme Requirements (102 Credit Hours)

GERS 302 – German VI – Negotiating Skills and Application Training

Contents: Just as GERS 301, this module is also divided into two parts: In the first part, students apply the language of business in situations of negotiation: from making an appointment on the phone to signing a business deal at an official meeting. The second part of this module prepares students for their stay in Germany: It considers the problems particularly foreign face when applying with a German company.

Competencies: Students who complete this course are able to act professionally in a negotiation in a business setting, using appropriate linguistic structures and expressions. They know about the difficulties and particularities of the job or internship search in Germany and are able to compose a Curriculum Vita in a meticulous way. They know how to present themselves in a job interview.

TRA 112–Arabic Functional Syntax and Morphology

Contents: This course on Arabic grammar covers the morphological and syntactic rules of the Arabic language, and provides a thorough and systematic overview of Arabic grammar. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the basic and complex rules of morphology and syntax of the Arabic language. Students will be provided with needed instruction to read and write Arabic correctly. It covers the system of inflections, arrangements of words in sentences, clauses, and phrases, and correct formation of word order. The course covers the morphological patterns and forms, as well as the system and coordination of rules that define the grammatical structure of the Arabic language.

Competencies: The goal of this course is to teach students about the different aspects of syntax, and employing their knowledge in grammar in the practical application of the translation process.

TRA 115– English Functional Syntax and Morphology

Contents: This course provides a general survey of the assumptions and techniques of the analysis of syntactic and morphological structures. Syntax provides students with the analysis of sentences in terms of categories and functions in the phrasal level and sometimes sentential level. Morphology studies the word structure, processes of affixation and derivation. Relevant processes are also studied as they pertain to changes of word structure. It also covers rules of word formation like compounding, blending, back- formation, acronyms, abbreviations, etc.