BA seminar
2510-f1ENG3W-BA
LITERARY STUDIES (dr Joanna Antoniak)
The aim of this seminar is to aid students in preparing and writing a bachelor’s thesis in the field of literary studies. The seminar will help students formulate the topic of their thesis, choose appropriate and fitting methodological approach and, finally, conduct analysis and interpretation of selected literary works.
During the winter semester, the course will focus predominantly on two aspects: the structure of a BA thesis/study and the introduction of selected approaches in literary studies (psychoanalysis and trauma theory, feminist theory, gender and queer studies, and race theory and postcolonial studies); the range of topics can be adjusted to the research interests of the students.
The course is supplemented by a Moodle course.
CULTURAL STUDIES (dr Nelly Strehlau)
This seminar aims to help students narrow down their field of interest and write a bachelor's thesis on English-language texts of culture, with a particular focus on television, film or other media. The seminar will help students choose an appropriate methodological approach and subsequently use it in analysis and interpretation of individually selected cultural texts.
In winter, the class will include an introduction to selected approaches in cultural studies, based on assigned reading, group presentations and individual meetings to discuss students' projects.
The course is supplemented by a Moodle course.
EXPERIMENTAL LINGUSTICS (dr Marek Placiński)
BA seminar is focused on the selection of problems that the student will pursue in their BA study based on literature review, calibrate methodology to these problems; formulate research questions and hypotheses that will organise their study.
The course’s agenda:
• The structure of a BA study
• Introduction to experimental research
• Experimental methods in studying linguistic communication
• Presentation of first chapters of students’ BA projects.
The scope and range of topics will be adjusted to the research interests of the students. For volunteers: assistance with experiments run by Center for Language Evolution Studies.
TRANSLATION STUDIES (dr Dorota Guttfeld)
The course will prepare students for choosing a research topic and a theoretical framework for the analysis of a selected literary or audiovisual translation. In the winter semester, an overview of major issues in translation studies will be presented, with special regard to their usefulness in translation studies research. Theoretical readings will be supplemented with exercises in translation and translation evaluation designed to hone skills in critical translation analysis.
The course focuses on selecting a problem existing within the field of Translation Studies and preparing a Bachelor’s thesis related with the given problem, with the use of methodologies accepted and recognised in the discipline. The proposed spectrum of topics covers literary, audiovisual and multimedia translation/localization, studied from the linguistic, cultural (functionalist) and descriptive perspectives.
Class topics:
1. Structure of a translation studies BA thesis, common research questions
2. Translation studies as a discipline: types of research questions in translation studies (Holmes, Chesterman)
3. Early reflection on translation and the origins of major contemporary debates in translation studies: translation and ideiology, text type and recommended translation strategies
4. Major translation strategies and their binary oppositions as described by Nida, Newmark and Venuti
5. Translation, language and culture: types of linguistic transfer (Jakobson) and the equivalence debate
6. Text types and functions (Reiss); functionalism in translation, skopos theory, interplay of participants in translational action (Reiss,&Vermeer, Holz-Manttari)
7. Style and norms in literary translation (Berman)
8. Descriptive translation studies, polysystem theory (Even-Zohar)
9. Norms in translation (Toury)
10. Translation universals; patronage (Toury, Lefevere)
11. Typoloigies of translation techniques: a case study of culture-specific items (Aixela)
Total student workload
12 ECTS points = 300-hour workload
LITERARY STUDIES (dr Joanna Antoniak)
Seminar: 30 hours
Individual consultation with the supervisor (office hours, e-mail, Moodle): 20 hours
Individual work: 250 hours
- reading assigned texts and preparation for class: 60 hours
- preparing a presentaton on the current state of research: 20 hours
- conducting the research for BA thesis and writing: 170 hours
TOTAL 300 hours (12 ECTS points)
CULTURAL STUDIES (dr Nelly Strehlau)
Seminar: 30 hrs
Individual consultation with the supervisor (office hours, e-mail): 20 hrs
Individual work: 250
- reading and preparation for classes: 50 hrs
- Preparing a presentation on the current state of research: 20 hrs
- Conducting research for BA thesis and writing: 180 hrs
Total: 300 hrs (12 ECTS)
EXPERIMENTAL LINGUISTICS (dr Marek Placiński)
Seminar = 30h
Individual meetings with the supervisor (onsite = office hours, Moodle) = 30h
Individual work = 215h
- Reading texts – course material and texts individually calibrated to individual projects (30h)
- Work on experimental projects (80h)
- Writing BA projects (90h)
Preparing for the BA exam (25h)
TOTAL 300 hours (12 ECTS points)
12 ECTS points = 300-hour workload
TRANSLATION STUDIES (dr Dorota Guttfeld)
Seminar = 30 hrs
Individual consultation with the supervisor (office hours, e-mail) = 20 hrs
Individual work:
- reading and preparation for classes = 30 hrs
- homework = 10 hrs
- presentation of the state of research = 10 hrs
- BA-project (conducting research, planning and writing) = 180 hrs
- preparation for tests on translation studies theory = 20 hrs
Learning outcomes - knowledge
LITERARY STUDIES (dr Joanna Antoniak)
W1: The student has advanced knowledge of Anglophone literature and of such aspects as periodisation, genres and forms, and works by selected authors (K_W04).
W2: The student has advanced knowledge of literary studies (K_W05).
W3: The student has advanced knowledge of the connections between literary studies and related studies in the Humanities (K_W06).
W4: The student has advanced knowledge of selected historical, social, religious, philosophical and political issues connected to and influencing literary studies (K_W07).
W5: The student has advanced knowledge concerning the English language used in literary studies (K_W10).
CULTURAL STUDIES (dr Nelly Strehlau)
W1: The student has advanced knowledge concerning the English language used in cultural studies (K_W10).
EXPERIMENTAL LINGUISTICS (dr Marek Placiński)
W1: The student understands linguistics a discipline studying communication and its link to other disciples studying communication. K_W06
W2: The student has basic knowledge of linguistic terminology and methodology. K_W07
W3: The student has basic knowledge of linguistics as a discipline. K_W11
TRANSLATION STUDIES (dr Dorota Guttfeld)
W1: The student has an advanced knowledge of terminology and methodology applicable in translation studies, the types and causes of phenomena encountered in translation, and the correlations between them, (K_W10)
Learning outcomes - skills
LITERARY STUDIES (dr Joanna Antoniak)
U1: The student is able to search for, analyze, evaluate, select, and apply information using various sources to choose a methodology for research in literary studies (K_U01).
U2: The student is able to integrate basic theoretical perspectives and paradigms pertaining to literary studies (K_U06).
U3: The student is able to fulfill research tasks following objectives and instructions formulated by their academic supervisor (K_U07).
U4: The student is able to work in a group, taking on various roles. (K_U08)
U5: The student is able to gain and deepen their knowledge and develop their research skills in the field of literary studies on their own (K_U10).
U6: The student is able to compose an outline of a research text and write a significant portion of a BA thesis (K_U14).
U7: The student displays argumentation skills and is able to refer to scholars’ opinions as well as to draw conclusions (K_U15).
U8: The student is able to conduct a preliminary search of library holdings, use databases and the Internet, prepare a list of references, add notes with due care as to the copyright, format documents using a word processor and make a presentation (K_U16).
CULTURAL STUDIES (dr Nelly Strehlau)
U1: The student is able to search for, analyze, evaluate, select and apply information using various sources to choose a methodology for research in cultural studies (K_U01).
U2: The student is able to integrate basic theoretical perspectives and paradigms pertaining to cultural studies into their work (K_U06).
U3: The student is able to fulfil research tasks following objectives and instructions formulated by their academic supervisors (K_U07).
U4: The student is able to compose an outline of a research text and write a significant portion of a BA thesis (K_U14)
U5: The student is able to conduct a preliminary search of library holdings, use databases and the Internet, prepare a list of references, add notes with due care as to the copyright, format documents using a word processor, and make a presentation (K_U16).
U6: The student is able to work in a group, taking on various roles. (K_U08)
EXPERIMENTAL LINGUSTICS (dr Marek Placiński)
U1: The student is able to formulate research questions, hypotheses and operationalise concepts pertaining to the study of linguistic communication. K_U01
U2: The student is able to integrate theoretical knowledge of linguistic communication into experimental projects. K_U01
U3: The student is able to use various sources to further their research - academic journals and monographs, Internet sources, computer programmes – and integrate them into their BA projects. K_U01
TRANSLATION STUDIES (dr Dorota Guttfeld)
The student is able to
U1: seek, analyse, assess, select, and apply information using various sources to choose a relevant methodology for research in translation studies (K_U01)
U2: understand academic texts in the field of translation studies (K_U02)
U3: present an outline of their research project and preliminary research results, adjusting the content and level of detail at the supervisor’s request (K_U05)
U4: apply selected theoretical approaches and paradigms relevant to translation studies (K_U06)
U5: follow the assigned objectives and instructions formulated by their academic supervisor (K_U07)
U6: provide and take constructive feedback on a research project (K_U08)
U7: outline and follow steps leading towards a timely completion of their BA research project, modifying the timeline if necessary (K_U09)
U8: research academic sources, including reference books and online journals on translation studies (K_U10)
U9: write their diploma thesis outline, formulating research questions and assumptions in academic English, referring to selected theoretical approaches and a variety of sources (K_U14)
U10: effectively present research questions, a summary of research project and its results (K_U15 )
U11: conduct a preliminary search of library holdings, use databases and the Internet, to identify, review, choose and document pertinent sources for their research project (K_U16)
U12: prepare a list of references, add notes with due care as to the copyright, format documents using a word processor and make a presentation, following department guidelines as regards BA thesis format. (K_U16)
Learning outcomes - social competencies
LITERARY STUDIES (dr Joanna Antoniak)
K1: the student is aware of the level of their knowledge and skills and understands the need for constant learning and development in the field of literary studies (K_K01).
CULTURAL STUDIES (dr Nelly Strehlau)
K1: The student is aware of the level of their knowledge and skills and understands the need for constant learning and development in the field of cultural studies (K_K01).
EXPERIMENTAL LINGUSTICS (dr Marek Placiński)
K1: The student is aware of the level of their knowledge and skills and understands the need for constant learning and development. K_K01
TRANSLATION STUDIES (dr Dorota Guttfeld)
K1: The student is aware of the level of their knowledge and skills and understands the need for constant learning and development. (K_K01)
K2: The student is able to use information and to solve cognitive and practical problems related to developing their diploma thesis. (K_K06)
Teaching methods
LITERARY STUDIES (dr Joanna Antoniak)
- Seminar
- Project work
- Case study
- Presentation of paper
CULTURAL STUDIES (dr Nelly Strehlau)
- Seminar
- Project work
- Case study
- Presentation of paper
EXPERIMENTAL LINGUSTICS (dr Marek Placiński)
-) Seminar
-) Project work
-) Case study
-) Presentation of paper (data-orientated)
TRANSLATION STUDIES (dr Dorota Guttfeld)
- Seminar
- Lecture
- Project work
- Case study
- Presentation of paper
Observation/demonstration teaching methods
- display
- simulation (simulation games)
Expository teaching methods
- informative (conventional) lecture
- participatory lecture
Exploratory teaching methods
- seminar
- practical
- case study
- presentation of a paper
- project work
Prerequisites
-) fluent command of English (at least B2+)
-) academic interests in the field represented by the seminar
Course coordinators
Term 2021/22Z: | Term 2022/23Z: | Term 2023/24Z: |
Assessment criteria
LITERARY STUDIES (dr Joanna Antoniak)
Assessment methods:
- group presentation: 15% (U2, U4)
- active participation in class discussion and individual meetings: 20% (K1)
- preparing the outline of the BA project [including proposed sources]:15% (U1, U2, U3, U5, U6, U7, U8)
- handing in one chapter of BA thesis: 50% (W1, U1, U2, U3, U5, U6, U7, U8)
0 – 59% – 2
60 – 69 % – 3
70 – 75 % – 3+
76 – 85 % – 4
86 – 90% – 4+
91 – 100% – 5
CULTURAL STUDIES (dr Nelly Strehlau)
Graded credit based on:
- BA excerpt (chapter or equivalent) (W1, U1, U2, U3, U4) : 50%
- group presentation (U2, U6): 15%
- BA project outline including proposed sources (U1, U2, U3, U4, U5): 15%
- active participation in class, showcasing knowledge of assigned material (K1): 20%
with the following grades:
0 – 59% – 2
60 – 69 % – 3
70 – 75 % – 3+
76 – 85 % – 4
86 – 90% – 4+
91 – 100 – 5
EXPERIMENTAL LINGUSTICS (dr Marek Placiński)
Grading methods:
active participation in classes and individual meetings (30%)
presentation of the design of a BA study and the outline of the thesis (30%)
presentation of the first chapter of a BA study (40%)
Grading scale
0 – 59% – 2
60 – 69 % – 3
70 – 75 % – 3+
76 – 85 % – 4
86 – 90% – 4+
91 – 100 – 5
TRANSLATION STUDIES (dr Dorota Guttfeld)
Graded credit based on:
- presentation of a TS-related issue: 10% (W1, U4, K1)
- tests on translation studies theory: 40% (10 tests, 4 points each) (W1, U2)
- presentation of proposed BA project: 15% (U2, U3, U4, U6, U10, K2)
- detailed BA outline: 20% (U1, U5, U7, U8, U9, U10, K2)
- proposed bibliography for each chapter: 15% (U8, U11, U12)
with the following grades:
0 – 59% – 2
60 – 69 % – 3
70 – 75 % – 3+
76 – 85 % – 4
86 – 90% – 4+
91 – 100 – 5
Practical placement
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors,
localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: