Program Overview

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Overview of the Translation Program

The translation program approaches translation as a crucial dimension of global literacy and communication, and a valuable career competency for the future. Graduates complete pre-professional training to obtain specializations to serve as translators in global sectors such as business, communication, and diplomacy where there is growing demand for language mediation.

Requirements for the Translation Program

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in translation requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 33 s.h. of work for the major. A minimum of 21 s.h. for the major must be earned at the University of Iowa. Coursework in the major may not be taken pass
onpass. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They must also complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.

Learning Outcomes for the Translation Program

Students will:

• develop critical global literacies necessary for purposeful and productive participation in global professional and cultural environments;
• learn research methods to enhance creativity;
• develop foundational knowledge and practice of translation, in its various modes and contexts, necessary for graduate study in specialized translation programs;
• attain preprofessional competencies toward building a career as professional translators and language mediators; and
• gain awareness of the business and industrial dimensions of translation through networking and building communities.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Graduates are strongly encouraged to pursue graduate study in a range of programs, including specialized translation and interpreting programs; area studies; world languages, literatures, and cultures studies; education and teacher-training programs in schools, cultures, and society; global studies; international business; law school; nonprofit management; international development, and other fields in which language proficiency and language mediation are assets.

Academic Plans for the Translation Program

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the university's Four-Year Graduation Plan. Courses in the major are those required to complete the major; they may be offered by departments other than the major department.

• Before the fifth semester begins: completion of fourth-level proficiency or two world language courses numbered 2000 or above, TRNS:2000 Translation and Global Society, and one additional major course.
• Before the seventh semester begins: three more courses in the major and at least 90 s.h. earned toward the degree.
• Before the eighth semester begins: two more courses in the major.
• During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining coursework in the major, all remaining GE CLAS Core courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate.

Sample Plan of Study for the Translation Program

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Translation, BA

Plan of Study Grid (Manual) Academic Career

Any Semester| Hours
GE CLAS Core: Sustainability a |
The translation major requires 33 s.h. Students may count a maximum of 9 s.h. of coursework from another major, minor, or certificate toward the translation major. |
Students are required to have language proficiency in the world language from which they plan to translate, demonstrated by successfully completing either a course numbered 4000 or above or a course at the highest level available in that language at the University of Iowa. See General Catalog and consult an advisor for more information. |
| Hours| 0
First Year
Fall
TRNS:1241
or TRNS:1240 | World Literature: 1700 to Present b
or World Literature in Translation I | 3
TRNS:2000 | Translation and Global Society | 3
RHET:1030
or ENGL:1200 | Rhetoric: Writing and Communication
or The Interpretation of Literature | 3 - 4
GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course c | 4 - 5
CSI:1600 | Success at Iowa | 1
| Hours| 14-16
Spring
TRNS:1240
or TRNS:1241 | World Literature in Translation I d
or World Literature: 1700 to Present | 3
ENGL:1200
or RHET:1030 | The Interpretation of Literature
or Rhetoric: Writing and Communication | 3 - 4
GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course c | 4 - 5
Elective course e | 2
Elective course e | 3
| Hours| 15-17
Second Year
Fall
TRNS:3001 | Reading for Translation: Text Analysis | 3
GE CLAS Core: Natural Sciences without Lab f | 3
GE CLAS Core: World Languages Third Level Proficiency c | 4 - 5
Elective course e | 3
Elective course e | 3
| Hours| 16-17
Spring
TRNS:2578 | Translation in the Humanities: Modes and Approaches | 3
TRNS:3179 | Undergraduate Translation Workshop | 3
GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives f | 3
GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency c | 4 - 5
Elective course e | 3
| Hours| 16-17
Third Year
Fall
TRNS:4470
or TRNS:4131 | Translating Style
or Critical Reading | 3
Advanced language course or elective course e, g | 3
GE CLAS Core: International and Global Issues f | 3
GE CLAS Core: Natural Sciences with Lab f | 4
Elective course e | 3
| Hours| 16
Spring
TRNS:4050 | Independent Study h | 3
Advanced language course or elective course e, g | 3
GE CLAS Core: Social Sciences f | 3
GE CLAS Core: Values and Society f | 3
Elective course e | 3
| Hours| 15
Fourth Year
Fall
Major: elective course in languages or humanities i | 3
Major: outreach and engagement component j | 3
Advanced language course or elective course e, g | 3
GE CLAS Core: Quantitative or Formal Reasoning f | 3
Elective course e | 3
| Hours| 15
Spring
Major: capstone project k | 3
Major: elective course in languages or humanities i | 3
Elective course e | 3
Elective course e | 3
Elective course e | 3
Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) l |
| Hours| 15
| Total Hours| 122-128

GE CLAS Core Requirements

The GE CLAS Core requirements provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and a focused practice of transferable skills necessary for a lifetime of learning.

Communication and Literacy

• Understanding Cultural Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Interpretation of Literature: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Rhetoric: a minimum of 4 s.h.
• World Languages Pathways: required credit varies (see "World Languages Pathways" in this section of the catalog)

Sustainability

Students complete this requirement by choosing an approved GE CLAS Core course that integrates Sustainability (with no additional semester hours) with a course from the Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences category or the Culture, Society, and the Arts category.

Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences

• Natural Sciences: a minimum of 7 s.h.; must include one lab
• Quantitative or Formal Reasoning: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Social Sciences: a minimum of 3 s.h.

Culture, Society, and the Arts

• Historical Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• International and Global Issues: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Values and Society: a minimum of 3 s.h.

World Languages Pathways

GE CLAS Core courses in World Languages provide the practice of important communication skills in a second language as well as the knowledge of the cultures in which the language is spoken. This in-depth study allows students to better understand how languages function, encouraging students to learn more about their own first language, including how it creates both inclusion and diversity. To fulfill the GE CLAS Core requirement in World Languages, students may choose one of the following pathways.

Fourth Level

The fourth-level pathway requires students to:

• complete four years of a single world language in high school; or
• achieve the fourth level of proficiency in a world language by completing the appropriate sequence of courses offered at the University of Iowa; or
• achieve the fourth level of proficiency by completing appropriate courses at another college or university or through approved study abroad courses; or
• achieve an equivalent score on a related Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other approved college-level examination accepted by the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see Credit By Exam Options on the Admissions website); or
• earn an equivalent score on both a UI written placement test and on a UI oral proficiency exam in a language taught at the University of Iowa (see World Languages Placement Test (WLPT) on the New Student Services website); or
• earn an equivalent score on a proficiency exam in a language that is not taught at the University of Iowa (see Proficiency Examinations for Languages Not Taught at UI on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website).

Third Level Plus a World Language and Cultural Exploration Course

The third-level plus a World Language and Cultural Exploration Course pathway requires students to:

• complete third-level coursework in a single world language in high school or college; and
• complete a World Language and Cultural Exploration course.

Second Level of Two Languages

The second level of two languages pathway requires students to complete second-level coursework in each of two different world languages in high school or college.

World Language and Cultural Exploration

The following courses are approved for the World Language and Cultural Exploration area.

• ARAB:2525: We Are What We Eat: Food Culture in the Middle East and North Africa
• ASIA:1005: Scripts and Trips: A Journey Through East Asia
• ASL:1500: Exploring the Deaf World
• EDTL:4410: Language, Power, and Multilingual Education
• FREN:1500: Trip to Belgium, France, and Switzerland
• GRMN:1550: German Food, History, and Culture: Beyond Bier and Bratwurst
• GRMN:1685: German Cultural History
• ITAL:2205: Exploring Italy: Culture, Society, and Communication
• JPNS:2127/ASIA:2127/CLSA:2127: Books of the Silk Roads
• LING:1075: World Englishes
• LING:1080: Communicating Across Linguistic Differences
• SPAN:1800: Writing and Writers From Latin America
• SPAN:2700/IS:2700/LAS:2700/PORT:2700: Introduction to Latin American Studies
• SWAH:2100: Exploring East African Languages and Cultures
• TRNS:2578: Translation in the Humanities: Modes and Approaches

Sustainability

Courses in the Sustainability area focus on identifying concepts and terminology associated with sustainability and systems-thinking, investigating the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, and evaluating how students’ own actions affect and are affected by society’s ability to meet sustainability goals. Students also investigate institutional and/or cultural processes or natural systems processes.

Sustainability and Natural Sciences

• CHEM:1050: Chemistry of Our World
• SEES:1020: The Global Environment
• SEES:1080: Introduction to Environmental Science
• SEES:1085: Fundamentals of Environmental Science
• SEES:1400: Natural Disasters
• SIED:3164: Introduction to Global Socioscientific Challenges
• SIED:4110: Exploring the Geology, Mining History, and Environmental Issues of the Colorado Rockies

Sustainability and Quantitative or Formal Reasoning

• SEES:1035: Our Digital Earth

Sustainability and Social Sciences

• ANTH:2261: Human Impacts on the Environment
• SEES:2013/BUS:2013/URP:2013: Introduction to Sustainability
• SOC:1040: Energy, Sustainability, and Society
• URP:2020/PBAF:2020: Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics

Sustainability and Historical Perspectives

• HIST:1115/SEES:1115: The History of Oil

Sustainability and International and Global Issues

• ANTH:1046/GWSS:1046/SEES:1046/SJUS:1046: Environmental Politics in India
• CPH:2200: Climageddon: Understanding Climate Change and Associated Impacts on Health
• POLI:1510: International Politics of Environmental Issues
• POLI:2500: Politics of Natural Disasters
• SEES:1070: Contemporary Environmental Issues
• SPST:2170: Sport and Globalization

Sustainability and Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts

• TDSN:2210: Introduction to 3D Design

Sustainability and Values and Society

• JMC:1800: Environmental Communication
• SRM:1049: Foundations for Sport and Physical Activity: Catalyst for Sustainable Communities

Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences

Natural Sciences

Courses in the Natural Sciences area explore the scope and major concepts of a scientific discipline. Students learn the attitudes and practices of scientific investigators: logic, precision, experimentation, tentativeness, and objectivity. In courses with a laboratory component, students gain experience in the methods of scientific inquiry.

Quantitative or Formal Reasoning

Courses in the Quantitative or Formal Reasoning area help develop analytical skills through the practice of quantitative or formal symbolic reasoning. Courses focus on presentation and evaluation of evidence and argument; understanding the use and misuse of data; and organization of information in quantitative or other formal symbolic systems, including those used in computer science, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, and statistics.

Social Sciences

Courses in the Social Sciences area focus on human behavior and the institutions and social systems that shape and are shaped by that behavior. Courses provide an overview of one or more social science disciplines, their theories, and their methods.

Culture, Society, and the Arts

Historical Perspectives

Courses in the Historical Perspectives area help students comprehend the historical processes of change and continuity; develop the ability to generalize, explain, and interpret historical change; and understand the past in its own terms.

International and Global Issues

Courses in the International and Global Issues area focus predominantly on countries or issues outside the United States, encouraging students to understand contemporary issues from an international perspective. Students develop knowledge of one or more contemporary global or international issues, gain a greater awareness of varied international perspectives, and improve their skills of analysis and critical inquiry.

Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts

Courses in the Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts area provide students with opportunities to appreciate the arts and to analyze them within their historical and theoretical contexts. They also help students develop the analytic, expressive, and imaginative abilities necessary for understanding, appreciating, and creating art.

Values and Society

Courses in the Values and Society area focus on how culture shapes the human experience and the role of values in society, with students asking fundamental questions regarding the human experience while exploring their own values and beliefs.

Honors in the Major

Students majoring in translation have the opportunity to graduate with honors in the major. Departmental honors students must complete the required coursework for the major and an honors thesis or project. They must attain a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.50 in the major, and a cumulative University of Iowa GPA of at least 3.33.

University of Iowa Honors Program

In addition to honors in the major, students have opportunities for honors study and activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program. Visit Honors at Iowa to learn about the university’s honors program.

Membership in the UI Honors Program is not required to earn honors in the translation major.