This class deals with the practice of translation and the theory that has grown up around that practice. Each week's session consists of three parts: a set of readings, an exercise to be posted to the class message board by 8:30 a.m. on the date of class, and a series of topics and reviews for the class session.
The class welcomes students from a variety of disciplines including both social science and literary ones; the emphasis is, however, partly on anthropological questions. Students should have a good working knowledge of French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Chinese, or Japanese, in addition to English.
Four texts are available at The University BookStore. Other readings are accessible directly from links on this site.
Grades will be based on grades on the individual exercises. The exercises for weeks 2, 3, 4, 7, and 10 will count a combined 50% of your grade (10% each), and the final project will count the other 50%. The exercises for weeks 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 11 will not be graded but are required; you must do all the exercises to receive a passing grade in the class.
You may miss one or zero class sessions and still pass the class. If you plan to miss the Nov. 24 class the day before Thanksgiving, that counts as the one class you are allowed to miss. Exceptions will be allowed for dire situations; it's best to clear these ahead of time unless they are true emergencies.