This prescribed course investigates the changing role of translation and interpreting in society, providing students with critical tools to address artificial intelligence, platform labor, and power dynamics through real-world cases and theories on ethics, identity, representation, and professional agency.

(3 credits)

Electives provide students with a well-rounded understanding of translation issues related to specific fields. Students can tailor their learning based on their individual needs and interests, selecting from options such as Scientific Translation, Localization, and Film Translation. 

Refer below for a comprehensive list of electives offered at our program.

This prescribed course builds students’ foundational knowledge of key concepts, history, and the current landscape of the translation and interpretation industry. It features insights from diverse guest speakers such as freelance translators, interpreters, bilingual hosts, and publishing editors.

(3 credits)

Practicums are mandatory, offering students valuable opportunities to bridge theory and practice through real-world experience in the translation industry. Practicum placements prepare students for professional practice, as students apply not only the translation skills learnt in the program, but also essential soft skills such as interpersonal communication, collaboration, integrity, and accountability.

Curious where our students learn beyond the classroom? Check out our list of industry partners to see where practicum placements have taken them.

(1 credit per course, 3 credits required)

This mandatory course guides students in developing meaningful research projects. By exploring diverse theoretical frameworks and research methods, students build foundational research skills through engagement with interdisciplinary concepts and theories.

(3 credits)

The Specialized Translation curriculum is made up of a selection of practical courses that help students refine their translation skills and address field-specific issues. Students choose courses based on their needs and interests, such as social science, literature, or museum exhibitive text translation.   

See below for a comprehensive list of Specialized Translation courses offered at our program.

(3 credits per course, 6 credits required)

This mandatory course provides students with focused, one-on-one mentorship with faculty to refine their research projects. Students learn to identify gaps in existing scholarship, assess the relevance of theoretical frameworks, and build a solid methodological foundation. This course ensures that students are skilled to carry out academically rigorous research that will carry through to their Master’s thesis.

(1 credit)

This mandatory course prepares students to critically analyze key translation issues and challenges. In addition to mastering essential translation techniques for this language direction, students develop important para-translation skills vital to the translation process.

(3 credits)

This mandatory course provides a comprehensive understanding of translation from professional, practical, and academic perspectives. Through hands-on exercises and in-depth discussions, students develop strategies to interpret and convey the multiple layers of meaning within texts.

(3 credits)

This prescribed course examines various written and spoken genres, including advertising, literature, speeches, press conferences, and negotiations, highlighting how linguistic features, genre conventions, and context influence translation and interpreting choices between English and Chinese.

(3 credits)

The Translation Technology curriculum consists of four elective courses from which students may choose based on their personal goals and interests. As modern-day translators increasingly engage with technology and artificial intelligence, these courses equip students with essential tools and knowledge to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

(2 credits per course, 4 credits required)

The Computer-Assisted Translation elective trains students to proficiently use industry-standard tools such as Termsoup, memoQ, Phrase, and Trados. The course emphasizes translation memory management to enhance practical translation skills, improve workflow efficiency, and prepare students for professional translation environments.

The Corpus Tools elective explores the technical processes of building and managing translation corpora, alongside utilizing large language models. Students will develop essential digital literacy skills, including writing regular expressions, to improve translation accuracy and overall productivity.

The Machine Translation Post-Editing and AI-assisted Translation elective introduces students to machine translation post-editing and AI-assisted workflows. It teaches how to evaluate machine translation quality, apply effective post-editing techniques, integrate translation tools, and understand human factors and emerging technology trends.

The Translation Project Management elective builds on the CAT Tools course by equipping students with both technical expertise and communication skills needed to effectively plan, coordinate, and manage diverse translation projects using industry-standard platforms.

This mandatory course introduces students to essential skills for consecutive interpreting between Chinese and English. It covers memory techniques, information retention and recall, conference and microphone etiquette, maintaining eye contact, public speaking, and practical note-taking strategies.

(2 credits)

This mandatory course develops students’ multitasking skills needed to comprehend the source language message and accurately convey it in the target language, both stylistically and grammatically. It integrates key tasks essential to simultaneous interpretation, including shadowing, abstracting, and anticipating. The course also includes remote interpreting practice and peer review sessions.

(2 credits)

This mandatory course establishes students’ understanding of critical analysis, interpretation skills, communication strategies, and cognitive ability. The course develops student’s ability to use idiomatic English expressions with an adequate sentence structure and vocabulary. Material research and preparation are crucial for students to familiarize themselves with terminology and subject matter.

(3 credits)

This mandatory course builds students’ understanding of effective public speaking through analysis of exemplary speakers in Mandarin and English. It offers hands-on practice in listening, structuring, note-taking, and presenting, fostering a comprehensive approach to interpreting. Students learn to write speeches, sharpen presentation skills, and master techniques for handling various interpretation tasks, including layout, symbols, and integration.

(3 credits)

This mandatory course develops students’ critical analysis, interpretation, communication skills, and cognitive abilities. It strengthens their use of idiomatic English, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on material research and preparation to build familiarity with terminology and subject matter.

(3 credits)

This mandatory course builds students’ understanding of how to capitalize on the flexibility of language in simultaneous interpretation. It explores how linear translation strategies can be effective despite linguistic differences. Students will develop techniques for delivering at least 15 minutes of SI with clarity and substance, while strengthening their skills through speech writing, delivery, recording, and self-assessment.

(3 credits)

These electives are designed to elevate students’ interpreting knowledge and skills to a professional level. It focuses on strategies for interpreting real-world speeches, helping students sharpen situational awareness while maximizing their language proficiency and cognitive ability.

(3 credits)

These electives are designed to elevate students’ interpreting skills to a professional level. Students learn to conduct in-depth research on diverse topics and apply their skills in a variety of internship settings both on and off campus. These real-world experiences help them build practical competencies and prepare for future careers as effective communicators.

(3 credits each)

This mandatory course emphasizes advanced listening and public speaking skills essential for interpreters. It equips students with strategies to accurately convey messages in conference settings, explores contextual interpreting challenges, and fosters ongoing language improvement through paraphrasing, role-playing, and mock conferences.

(3 credits)

This prescribed course investigates the changing role of translation and interpreting in society, providing students with critical tools to address artificial intelligence, platform labor, and power dynamics through real-world cases and theories on ethics, identity, representation, and professional agency.

(3 credits)

This mandatory course builds students’ foundational knowledge of key concepts, history, and the current landscape of the translation and interpretation industry. It features insights from diverse guest speakers such as freelance translators, interpreters, bilingual hosts, and publishing editors.

(1 credit)

This mandatory course gives students a grounded understanding of the realities of working as a professional interpreter. It introduces key business skills, client relations, and professional ethics needed to navigate real-world challenges. Students also engage in interpreting exercises across various simulated settings, including distance interpreting, liaison interpreting, and interpretation in auditing and legal contexts.

(3 credits)

This prescribed course establishes students’ understanding of the fundamental concepts, historical development, and current state of the interpretation and translation industry. The course covers industry insights through sharing from a diverse range of guest lectures, including freelance translators and interpreters, bilingual hosts, publishing editors, and more.

(3 credits)

This mandatory course introduces students to current and critical issues in the field of interpretation, highlighting the link between practice and theory. It also develops students’ research skills in interpretation through learning standard methods, weekly literature reviews, regular instructor meetings, and drafting a research proposal.

(3 credits)

This mandatory course provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and research abilities in a chosen area of interpretation studies. With personalized guidance from their thesis advisor, students will develop essential research skills as they formulate research questions, select appropriate methods, build critical perspectives, and construct coherent arguments that lead to a compelling Master’s thesis.

(1 credit)

This prescribed course examines various written and spoken genres, including advertising, literature, speeches, press conferences, and negotiations, highlighting how linguistic features, genre conventions, and context influence translation and interpreting choices between English and Chinese.

(3 credits)