Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CW/ITS 358"
COURSE NAME: "The Art of Literary Translation"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Esposito Silvia
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 18:00-20:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 103 or 105 with a grade of C or above; Italian studies majors should also have completed IT 301 to take this course.
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to develop the creative, editorial, and reading habits needed for literary translation; to develop an awareness of the theories associated with the practice of translating a work of literary excellence from one language into another; to foster an aesthetic sensibility for use in literary translation.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Students will analyze literary texts in the original language, focusing on the essential characteristics that should be expressed in the translations; will study and compare available translations of major poets and writers; will create their own translations of works by authors to be chosen by each student; will read and discuss theoretical texts. The students’ translations will be presented to the class in a traditional workshop format, with emphasis on analysis of the difficulties posed by the chosen text(s) and a justification for the choices made in rendering the texts into English.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will compile a portfolio of the translations they produce during the term, having become familiar with the skills and sensitivities needed to translate works of literary merit and to discern the characteristics of quality literary translation.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
class participation		10%
conscientiousness of self-editing		20%
criticism/editing of classmates' work		20%
final portfolio		50%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

JCU's Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C, D, and F

A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B: This is a highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D: This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings. Students are allowed four absences during the term. Each additional absence beyond the four allowed, with the exception of absences excused by the Dean's office, will result in the reduction in the final grade for the course by 5%. Students arriving to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as an absence. Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Each week’s classes will focus on the students’ own translations. With guidance, students will choose literary works from languages with which they are familiar and then translate them into the mother tongue. These translations will be discussed as ongoing projects, using the methods of the creative writing workshop and with emphasis on choices made to render the literary work effectively into the target language.

Readings will vary according to students’ languages and interests.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Week 1: Introduction to Literary Translation

Theory: Wechsler, Performing Without a Stage (eBook), excerpts

(problems in translation: nouns, verbs, synonyms, puns)

Ashbery, “Thoughts of a Young Girl”

Ashbery, “Some Trees”

Montale, “Mottetti”

Strand, “Translation” essay

-Discussion of variant translations: Rilke, “Archaic Torso of Apollo”

WORKSHOP: STUDENTS’ OWN TRANSLATIONS

Week 2: Form and Content

Theory: Wechsler, Performing Without a Stage (eBook), excerpts

Merrill, “The Country of a Thousand Years of Peace”

Strand, “Two De Chiricos” (villanelles)

Wilbur, “The Ride”

Wright, “Mid-Winter Snowfall in the Piazza Dante”

-Discussion of variant translations: Baudelaire, “Correspondences”

WORKSHOP: STUDENTS’ OWN TRANSLATIONS

Week 3: Modes and Meaning

Theory: Grossman, Why Translation Matters (excerpts)

Anedda, “Attittos”

Arminio, from Nevica e ho le prove

Ashbery, “In This Room”

Bishop, “One Art” variant translations

Hecht, “Behold the Lilies of the Field”

-Discussion of variant translations: Flaubert, Madame Bovary, first chapter

WORKSHOP: STUDENTS’ OWN TRANSLATIONS

Week 4: Sound and Sense

Theory: Grossman, Translating Poetry (excerpts)

Hecht, “Pyrrha”

Stevens, “The Pleasures of Merely Circulating” and “Blanche McCarthy”

Strand, “Sleeping With One Eye Open” and “Keeping Things Whole”

Williamson, from “Double Exposures”

-Discussion of variant translations: Constantine Cavafy, “Ithaka” and “Waiting for the Barbarians”

WORKSHOP: STUDENTS’ OWN TRANSLATIONS

Week 5: Found in Translation

Theory: Wechsler, Performing Without a Stage (excerpts)

Egan, “Notes on a Potion” and “Pelargonium Graveolens”

Ferlinghetti, “Constantly Risking Absurdity”

Wright, “Oscar Wilde at San Miniato”

-Discussion of variant translations: Rilke, “The Panther”

WORKSHOP: STUDENTS’ OWN TRANSLATIONS

FINAL ASSEMBLY OF STUDENTS’ TRANSLATION PORTFOLIOS AND PRESENTATIONS