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Learning and Teaching

The learning and teaching of translation happens everywhere in MLAC.  Translation Zone provides a convenient location to explore the range of courses involving translation offered at MLAC.  Explore and engage with any staff or doctoral students listed on our ‘People’ page to learn more.

Undergraduate Study

Translation is a core element of all Undergraduate (BA) Courses in MLAC.  It is taught either directly or indirectly in language classes while a range of optional modules engage with questions of cultural translation, adaptation, transmediality and other translation adjacent themes and topics. Translation is also a potential topic for final year dissertations:

Postgraduate Study 

The Durham Masters (MA) in Translation Studies is recognised all over the world for its academic quality, its innovative approach to translation, and its relevance.  Our students go on to successful international careers in professional translation and interpreting, academic research, diplomacy, business, journalism, and cultural entrepreneurship.  They acquire mastery of several languages and vital expertise and experience in transcultural understanding. 

Our Masters in Languages, Literatures, Cultures offers the chance to work with texts in one or several non-English languages.  Students are invited on all modules to think within an international context, to cross borders, disciplines, and canons, to reflect on questions of cultural transmission and exchange in literature, as well as to explore literary interactions with wider intellectual and cultural phenomena, such as translation, philosophy and visual culture.

When is a Masters in Visual Culture about translation?  When it is a distinctive interdisciplinary programme that invites students to think across borders of word and image.  More focused on image than word, of course, this programme helps students develop their knowledge of visual culture, situating that knowledge in relation to working practices in cultural institutions, including museums, galleries and other heritage organisations.  It attracts students from a wide range of humanities and social science disciplines as well as visual arts and visual culture professionals who wish to reflect upon their practice in historical and theoretical contexts. 

Masters by Research (MRes)

Students with a project in Translation Studies or on translation-related topics already in mind may opt for an MA by Research (or a PhD degree).  This programme allows you to shape your own project with your supervisors around particular subject areas of your choice. Translation projects may follow on from work completed in the undergraduate degree or from a student’s chosen interest. 

PhD 

Proposals for doctoral research projects in Translation Studies and translation-related topics are always welcome. The first step involves finding the most suitable supervisor for your project.  Our People page in the Translation Zone is a great place to start your quest. You will also find there a list of PhD students working in translation across different languages and research areas.  

Beyond MLAC

The Department of Theology and Religion includes undergraduate modules that introduce studying the bible in its original languages, for example, the New Testament text in Greek.  Students actively read and translate biblical scriptures and study the accuracy and significance of published English translations of the Greek text.  Postgraduate studies build on these skills, with modules in Advanced Greek Texts, Peter and the Petrine Tradition (English), Peter and the Petrine Tradition (with Greek), and other scriptures.  With the option to take a dissertation, students  may also find they specialise in Theology, Religion and Philosophy with links to Translation Studies.  Other relevant subject areas include Classics, Ancient History and Medieval and Early Modern Studies whose courses feature translation from Greek, Latin and Old Norse, to name a few.

Languages for All

The Centre for Foreign Language Study also has modules that students and staff can take in other languages: each with their links to Translation Studies.