Major English Language and Literature/ Minor Translation

The BA program in English Language and Literature with a Minor in Translation is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant community of research and learning in three interrelated ventures: exploring the symbiosis between language, literature, and culture; surveying and analyzing the English literary canon and the range of historical and contemporary Englishes; and nurturing the analytical reading of texts as well as lucid writing. The program offers a range of courses in linguistic analysis, literary criticism, and studies of various genres of writing, while interrogating power dynamics underlying the processes of writing and reading. The program provides the tools necessary for a disciplinary study of English language and literature and encourages the development of a skeptical stance and outlook on the world that recognizes the provisional nature of knowledge. The Minor in Translation trains students in practical skills of translation and interpreting from various written and spoken genres used in professional contexts.

  • To think about the central role of language in all aspects of human interaction
  • To develop literary and linguistic analysis of texts
  • To emphasize the socio-political implications of the spread of the English language and literature
  • To provide an intellectual environment for the production of rigorous research
  • To develop practical skills in translation from Arabic into English

 

  1. Knowledge and understanding
    1. Become familiar with major literary works, literary themes, and trends from British, American, and translated literary works in English
    2. Recognize ways that literature and language can be representative, critical, and performative
    3. Describe language from shifting perspectives depending on the social and institutional contexts in which it is embedded
    4. Identify language as a communicative medium of audio and visual modalities  

 

  1. Intellectual/Cognitive skills
    1. Analyze the cultural, sociological, ideological, historical, and linguistic aspects of literary, journalistic, political, and scholarly texts
    2. Analyze texts from the perspective of major theories of language and literature including structural and functional approaches
    3. Explore the dynamic role of the reader in the interpretation of texts and other communicative events
    4. Develop a skeptical stance and outlook on the world that recognizes the provisional nature of knowledge

 

  1. Subject specific and practical skills
    1. Construct and defend interpretations of texts
    2. Employ research skills necessary to locate, use, and cite sources effectively
    3. Demonstrate ability to carry out a major research project in an area of linguistics and/or literature
    4. Demonstrate ability to translate and interpret professionally from Arabic into English

 

  1. General and transferable skills
    1. Communicate ideas and arguments orally and in writing using an intellectually mature voice
    2. Demonstrate academic competence in writing and speaking in English
    3. Understand the role and nature of translation in professional contexts

Many of our graduates are successfully employed in the educational sector and in research institutes. The critical and analytical skills our program provides has enabled our graduates to pursue higher education in degrees as varied as English and Comparative Literature, Translation Studies, Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, Education, Gender Studies, Law, and International Relations. Our students also find career opportunities as translators and interpreters, writers, editors, in addition to work in government, business, and NGOs.

Major Requirements in English Language and Literature/Minor in Translation courses (69 credit hours)

a) Major Compulsory Requirements (30 credit hours)

Course No.

Course Title

Prerequisite(s)

ENGL234

Writing 2

ENGL233

ENGL235

English Grammar

ENGC2401 or ENGC2204    

ENGL237

Functional Phonetics

ENGL236

ENGL238

Introduction to Literature

ENGC2401 or ENGC2204    

ENGL330

English Literature 1

ENGL238

ENGL331

English Literature 2

ENGL330

ENGL333

Criticism: Theory and Practice

ENGL330

ENGL336

Syntax

ENGL235ENGL236

ENGL339

Interactive English

ENGL238ENGL236

ENGL435

Modern Poetry

ENGL333

 

b) Major Elective  Requirements (15 credit hours)

Credit hours

Course No.

Course Title

Prerequisite(s)

3 hours from one of the following

ENGL337

Semantics

ENGL236

ENGL432

Contrastive Linguistics

ENGL336

3 hours from one of the following

ENGL4301

Development of Drama

ENGL330

ENGL4302

Modern Drama

ENGL330

ENGL431

Shakespeare

ENGL330

3 hours from one of the following

ENGL3321

Structure and Development of the Novel

ENGL238

ENGL3322

Modern Fiction

ENGL238

3 hours from one of the following

ENGL4381

Seminar in Linguistics

Fourth Year Status

ENGL4382

Seminar in Literature

Fourth Year Status

(3 credit hours):  Any course offered by the English Language and Literature Department
,
Minor Requirements in Translation (24 credit hours)

  A .Compulsory Requirements (18-15* credit hours)

Course No.

Course Title

Prerequisite(s)

ARAB2361

Arabic for Translation Purposes

ARAB136

ENGC233

English through Current Issues

ENGC2202 or ENGC2204 or ENGC2305

ENGL233*

Writing 1

ENGC2401 or ENGC2204 

TRAN330

Introduction to Translation

ENGC233, ENGL233

TRAN331

Practice in General Translation

TRAN330

TRAN433

Interpreting

TRAN331

*for students whose English level in the placement examination is C (where ENGL233 is  university  requirement) should take 3 credit hours more  from the English department  courses.

 

B. Minor Elective Requirements (6 credit hours)

Credit hours

Course No.

Course Title

Prerequisite(s)

6 hours from the following

TRAN334

Translation of Journalistic Texts

TRAN330

TRAN335

Translation of Texts in Business and Economics

TRAN330

TRAN431

Translation of Texts in Sciences and Technology

TRAN331

TRAN432

Translation of Literary Texts

TRAN331

TRAN435

Translation of Legal Texts

TRAN331

TRAN436

Translation of Diplomatic and Political Texts

TRAN331

Admission Requirements:

  1.  An average of not less than 75% in ENGL233, ENGL236, and ENGL238.
  2. A score of not less than 70% in ENGL233, ENGL236, ENGL238 and ENGC233. 
  3. Department intake capacity - priority is given to students with higher scores in the courses above.
  4. Passing a translation test - given by the Translation and Languages Department. 

Condition for Continuing in Major

Student in Major must maintain a cumulative Major average of not less than 70%.