Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
EU50586 Précis writing for the United Nations |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: CW 60%, EX 40% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: This unit is designed to equip students with the skills and techniques in précis writing 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 competent summary records of the type required by the United Nations agencies. They will also have developed the ability to make sound judgements, on their own initiative, on questions of content and analysis, with an awareness of the practical implications of their decisions. Students should have acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the context in which professional précis writers operate and of their role in documenting the proceedings of different bodies. Skills: This unit develops the sophisticated mental and analytical processes required for successful spoken-language activities such as interpreting and précis writing, in which the key skills of listening and analysing information are crucial. By applying these in practice, students are able to build up the techniques required for professional work. Précis writing also involves an element of teamwork, and by operating in teams at simulated conferences, students are equipped to cope with actual working conditions and therefore able to demonstrate more effectively the techniques they have been taught. The teaching, learning and assessment methods are based throughout on realistic professional scenarios. Theory is consistently integrated with practice to ensure that students understand the rationale for what they are doing. Content: * Students will first be introduced to the role of the précis writer and the function of summary records in the United Nations system. * The next stage focuses on developing listening, note-taking and analytical skills similar to those used by consecutive interpreters, initially using English-only materials. * Students will then work on a range of examples of actual summary records produced for UN agencies, with the benefit of audio recordings of the original speeches. Particular attention will be given to the decisions made on which elements of the speeches to include, and to the specific requirements of UN in-house usage. * As well as using further recordings of UN meetings for practical exercises and coursework, students will operate in teams at the regular simulated conferences organised for the MA/Diploma in Interpreting and Translating. Complete summary records will be produced to a deadline immediately after these events. * For the final assessment, students will prepare a summary record from authentic UN recordings in one day, as is done in actual practice. |