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Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


PL50584: Proofreading

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 60%, EX 40%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
This unit is designed to equip students with the skills and techniques in proofreading that are required for professional work. The aim is to maximise each student�s potential so that as many as possible of the group achieve the necessary standard.

Learning Outcomes:
After completing the unit, students should be able to deal with a range of complex linguistic issues in both a systematic and creative way, so as to produce entirely accurate finished texts in English that eliminate any errors and/or imperfections of the original versions.
They will also have developed the ability to make sound judgements, on their own initiative, on questions of usage and professional practice, equipping them for employment in this highly specialised field.
Students should have acquired a comprehensive understanding of the role of the proofreader in the process of generating a document for a particular client or end-user, together with an awareness of the practical issues this involves.

Skills:
The main intellectual skill developed in these units is the ability to make the kind of linguistic and substantive judgements that will produce a satisfactory end product for the client. By applying this in practice, students are able to build up the skills required for professional work. Proofreading is an exercise in communication that involves transferable key skills such as written expression, self-direction, concentration and an awareness of one�s own performance.
These skills are developed gradually through classwork, practice and constructive feedback, and can be deployed when performance is assessed through realistic proofreading assignments.

Content:

* Students will first be introduced to the conventions of proofreading and the relationship between these and the language benchmarking and hierarchies of reference materials that are established in the core units of the TPLS programme on editing and revision. The nature and demands of the role of the proofreader in document production will be explained and discussed, and how this differs from that of the editor/reviser.
* As students move on to practical proofreading tasks, the materials used will become increasingly complex and sophisticated; these will be genuine documents (for the most part provided by the language services of international organisations), including English texts produced by non-native speakers. Some assignments will involve working in teams in order to meet deadlines.
* In the latter stages of the syllabus, students will consider issues of text ownership and content/substance as well as those of linguistic detail, usage and convention, of the kind they are likely to encounter in professional work.
* Students will be able to act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level. They will be able to demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

PL50584 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (German) (Full-time)

PL50584 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French & German) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French & Italian) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French & Russian) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (French & Spanish) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (German & Spanish) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (Italian & Spanish) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (Russian & German) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM10 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills (Spanish) (Full-time)

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.