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EN-3060
Philosophy and Literature
Much significant literature of the twentieth and twenty-first century dramatizes ethical and metaphysical questions that are central to the study of philosophy. Plays, novels and poems by writers such as Arthur Schnitzler, George Orwell, Samuel Beckett, Milan Kundera and Ingeborg Bachmann enhance our understanding of ethical plights, moral choices, questions of loyalty, affiliation and commitment, the relationship between art, science, political power and freedom, as well as between self and other, language and gender. Literature makes manifest universal philosophical questions. Nevertheless, these texts are marked by the particular disfigurements of twentieth-century history, and our approach will also reveal how these representations of historical trauma, political oppression and social alienation speak of the immediacy and relevance of both philosophical enquiry and literary interpretation.
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ML-111
Cultural Perspectives in Modern Languages
Understanding culture is central to learning any language, and this module offers a broad introduction to the rich cultural traditions behind the languages you study. You¿ll explore a wide range of cultural forms - from poetry and novels to film, painting, and drama - and discover how they reflect the societies and historical moments in which they were created. As you develop your ability to interpret and analyse these texts, you will gain essential skills in close reading, essay writing, and cultural commentary. This module also lays a strong foundation for deeper study of cultural and historical topics in later modules.
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MLG200
Twentieth-Century Berlin: Myth and Reality
Berlin has been called `the capital of the twentieth century¿ (Webber, 2008) and was the site of both insurrection and imperial ostentation, siege and invasion, partition, persecution, ideological polarisation, and, finally, the return of democratic normality in the short twentieth century (1914-1989). It was a German capital for nearly ninety years between 1900 and 2000 and for much of that time a magnet for writers and artists and consequently a centre of cultural activity. Iconic images of Berlin were produced especially in film (Ruttmann) but all material studied in the module contributed to constructions of the city¿s identity and character. The key events and themes selected for study in this module are: subservience to authority and mass psychology (Zuckmayer, Lang); the Spartacist Uprising (Brecht); `new woman¿ in the `golden twenties¿ (Keun); unemployment (Dudow); war-time destruction and survival (Anon.); protest in East and West (Heym, Delius, Schnitzler); and division and the walled city (von Trotta). The Expressionist, Neue Sachlichkeit, documentary, neo-realist and noir styles inflected a number of texts and films and will thus be recurrent reference points.
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MLG210
German Translation Workshop 2
The aim of this module is to develop your practical skills in translating from German into English. Seminars will discuss a series of four simulated translation projects dealing with different types of text, from the point of view of the participants (e.g. commissioning agency, client), and comparative analysis of relevant areas of German and English language and culture. You will write up for assessment the second project (after discussion in class) and the fourth project (independently, after receiving feedback on the second).
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MLG260A
German Language 2A
This module builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the first year of study, and will equip students with the skills needed to use German in more complex social and professional contexts. It concentrates on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken German, enabling students to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. It aims to establish a firm grammatical understanding of the language, and extending students' vocabulary to read, write, interpret and debate issues related to contemporary German society and culture appropriate to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Moreover, the module further enhances students¿ employability by systematically developing a personal professional career planning portfolio, providing a sound insight into the world of work. It is typically taken in conjunction with MLG260B. Classes will be mainly conducted in German.
There is also a Welsh-medium version of this module.
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MLG300
Twentieth-Century Berlin: Myth and Reality
Berlin has been called `the capital of the twentieth century¿ (Webber, 2008) and was the site of both insurrection and imperial ostentation, siege and invasion, partition, persecution, ideological polarisation, and, finally, the return of democratic normality in the short twentieth century (1914-1989). It was a German capital for nearly ninety years between 1900 and 2000 and for much of that time a magnet for writers and artists and consequently a centre of cultural activity. Iconic images of Berlin were produced especially in film (Ruttmann) but all material studied in the module contributed to constructions of the city¿s identity and character. The key events and themes selected for study in this module are: subservience to authority and mass psychology (Zuckmayer, Lang); the Spartacist Uprising (Brecht); `new woman¿ in the `golden twenties¿ (Keun); unemployment (Dudow); war-time destruction and survival (Anon.); protest in East and West (Heym, Delius, Schnitzler); and division and the walled city (von Trotta). The Expressionist, Neue Sachlichkeit, documentary, neo-realist and noir styles inflected a number of texts and films and will thus be recurrent reference points.
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MLG310C
Translation Workshop (German/English)
The aim of this module is to develop your practical skills in translating from German into English to a high level. The module is based on a dossier of textual materials illustrating distinct text types, and distinct aspects of German and British cultures and societies. Each text will be introduced by a brief, which will direct students towards different types of translation (documentary, instrumental and various degrees of abbreviation). As well as the translation of the text, classes and assessments will also deal with the analysis of genre-specific linguistic usage and of translation strategies, decisions and shifts; notes will also be made on specific difficulties encountered during translation. In assessed pieces this ASN (analysis, strategy, notes) will be worth 50% of the overall mark.
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MLG350
German for Professional Purposes 3
Students will be introduced to the skills needed to extend further their written and oral proficiency in specialised business-related areas of the German language. Students will expand their knowledge of business terminology and will familiarise themselves woth the core concepts of selected areas of marketing. Topics include market research, market segmentation and the marketing-mix.
Carrying out a team-work based project they will increase their transferable skills by setting up and presenting a strategic marketing plan for the introduction of a German product into the British market.
With the aim of improving students' linguistic accuracy further they will practice various aspects of German grammar throughout the academic year. The module is taught in German, and classes are conducted in a creative and highly interactive atmosphere.
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MLG390A
German Language 3A
This module builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the second year of study, and will equip students with the skills needed to use German in more complex social and professional contexts. It concentrates on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken German, enabling students to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. It aims to establish a firm grammatical understanding of the language, and extending students' vocabulary to read, write, interpret and debate issues related to contemporary German society and culture appropriate to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Moreover, the module further enhances students¿ employability by systematically developing a personal professional career planning portfolio, providing a sound insight into the world of work. Classes will be mainly conducted in German.
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MLG390B
German Language 3B
This is a combination of the TB2 General Language and Translation Workshop module. It builds on and consolidates the skills and knowledge acquired in MLG390A by concentrating on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken German appropriate to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It specifically aims to extend students¿ intercultural awareness and widen students¿ vocabulary to read, write and do presentations about topics related to German society and culture. The module also aims to enhance students' employability by training them to give a successful presentation using appropriate IT applications. This module further develops and improves your practical skills in translating from German into English, developing awareness of different types of translation and different techniques required of translators and strategies employed by them. Students will work on different text types and conduct comparative analysis of relevant areas of German and English language and culture.
The General Language classes will be mainly conducted in German.
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MLTM34
Specialised Translation Language 1
This module follows from MLTM05 Foundations in Translation and Interpreting and is designed for students to develop practical translation skills when mediating between English and their working language across different specialised domains. In this module, students will engage in translating, discussing, and annotating a variety of technical and non-technical texts. The module is designed to simulate real-world conditions, with practice assignments that progressively increase in length and complexity. Collaborative work is encouraged, with students critiquing and editing each other's translations to produce polished, final versions. The module will also focus on developing techniques for acquiring domain-specific knowledge and effectively translating technical terminology.
This module is compulsory for all students studying MA Professional Translation and MA Translation and Interpreting. It is offered in all languages, subject to demand.
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MLTM35
Specialised Translation Language 2
This module complements MLTM34 Specialised Translation Language 1 and is designed for students to develop practical translation skills when mediating between English and another working language across different specialised domains. In this module, students will engage in translating, discussing, and annotating a variety of technical and non-technical texts. The module is designed to simulate real-world conditions, with practice assignments that progressively increase in length and complexity. Collaborative work is encouraged, with students critiquing and editing each other's translations to produce polished, final versions. The module will also focus on developing techniques for acquiring domain-specific knowledge and effectively translating technical terminology.
This module is for students studying MA Professional Translation and MA Translation and Interpreting who wish to develop practical translation skills in more than one working language. It must be taken in conjunction with MLTM34, and it is only offered in French, German and Spanish, subject to demand.
