CHIN 7002 - Transcultural Communication/Translation Thesis

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

The research thesis is a compulsory component of the Masters of Translation and Transcultural Communication program, and should be undertaken in the final semester of study. This 9-unit version of the thesis is for those students who do not wish to proceed to a PhD in the Faculty. In the first instance, students should consult the program convenor for possible topics of research. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Department of Asian Studies, students are encouraged to explore a broad range of academic field expertise the Department and the Faculty has to offer, namely Applied Linguistics, Literature, Translation, as well as Cultural Studies, Transcultural Communication, History, Politics and International Studies, and Sociology. This 9-unit thesis should be 10,000 words in length (including footnotes but excluding the bibliography).

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHIN 7002
    Course Transcultural Communication/Translation Thesis
    Coordinating Unit Asian Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 9
    Contact 2 hours supervision per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites Completion of 39 units (Credit average) of core courses and electives
    Incompatible CHIN 7001, CHIN 5007, CHIN 7014A, CHIN 7014B
    Restrictions Available to MA(Int, Trans & Transc Comm) students only
    Assessment Annotated bibliography 10%, Thesis research proposal 10%, Thesis research proposal presentation 10%, Final thesis 70%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Gerry Groot

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 To extend students’ understanding of the principles underpinning ‘Western’ positivist, & interpretive research

    2 To develop research capacity via one-to one research supervision students to develop the skills required for ‘Western’ research, that is: (1) to understand conventional criteria for success in Western research contexts and (2) to design and conduct a rigorous research dissertation i.e. locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned
    & timely manner.

    3 To facilitate students’ capacity to identify social and cultural problems and to develop effective and creative research solutions by exploring the complexities of communication in a large summative thesis format.

    4 To increase students’ understanding of appropriate scholarly argumentation for international publication, and to develop their ability to write the required genre for publishing their research through group and principally individual manuscript writing.

    5 To provide students with fundamental information about the research preparation, argumentation and synthesis culminating in a critical dissertation.

    6 To expand students’ command of technological tools in academic research, notably through information technology, data-base searching and bibliographical software.

    7 To inspire and strengthen students’ desire to reflect upon their own cultural heritage in relation to the prevailing conventions and values of other cultures by bringing theoretical perspectives to social analysis.

    8 To encourage students to engage in and commit to the high levels of professional integrity required to participate in the international scholarly academy.

    9 To respect diverse ethical and cultural conventions and to evaluate their impact on professional skills, responsibilities and forms of communication.

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2, 3, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3, 8

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    8, 9

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    3, 8

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .3

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    .6, 7, 9

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    .3, 8, 9
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    In the first Semester, there are weekly two hour workshops to discuss theory, research methods, thesis writing and problem solving but it is expected that students will also find a supervisor and have regular meetings with them to help guide their research activities & direction.

    In the second Semester, students are expected to meet regularly with their supervisor/s.
    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    This course has a scaffolded approach to helping students build up to the final thesis writing stage.

    To this end, students must submit:

    A) Annotated Bibliography on research topic & related matters;
    B) Formal Research Proposal Presentation to fellow students & staff;
    C) Formal Research Proposal.

    In the second Semester, 6 unit points are allocated to the thesis.


    Assessment Detail


    A) Annotated Bibliography on research topic & related matters 40%;
    B) Formal Research Proposal Presentation to fellow students & staff 10%;
    C) Formal Research Proposal 40%


    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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