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Cultural Translation

Vak
2022-2023

Admission requirements

Required course(s):

For students in the CHS Major What is Culture? is required, for students from other Majors the same course is recommended.

Description

In a nutshell, cultural translation refers to processes in which the meanings and materiality of texts, things, or practices are transforming when transferred to different cultural contexts. As a field, it is highly inter- or multidisciplinary, not in the least because the term itself can denote either a ‘culturally informed’ type of translation, or the ‘translation/transfer’ of culture or cultural forms themselves. In addition, it can refer to the transformation of all types of cultural expressions; that can be transferred in time, in space or from one medium to another; by a wide variety of ‘translators’.

In this course we will first map the field itself, and see how it relates to other fields, such as (comparative) literary studies, cultural studies, (cultural) history, anthropology, reception and heritage studies. Notwithstanding the focus on contemporary culture, we will also add a historical perspective to be able to see how processes of cultural translation have been conceptualized in the past, and how the past is appropriated in the present. This will enable us to better understand the issues and debates that are specific to our modern, globalized, multimedia world.

After this theoretical, methodological and historical introduction into cultural translation, we will delve into a wide range of cultural phenomena that clearly involve modes of cultural translations. These cases include, among others, literary translations, movies, travelling objects, heritage sites, and music. During these weeks you will learn how such cases can be analysed and examined through different theoretical and methodological lenses.

You will put this knowledge to practice by means of your own two case studies, which you will select and develop in consultation with the instructor. Thinking through and with these particular cases you will learn to apply theoretical approaches and methodologies, and develop different ways of presenting your results. The first case will be the basis for a presentation in class, and will be developed into a digital presentation (possibly) for a larger public. The second will be the basis for a scholarly research essay.

Course Objectives

After successful completion of this course, students are able to:

  • demonstrate profound knowledge of major themes of cultural translation from a historical and multi-disciplinary perspective;

  • identify, explain, and employ theoretical notions such as (un)translatability, reception, cultural appropriation, hybridity, identity, and otherness.

  • translate theories into bespoke methodologies for analysing case-studies;

  • work with innovative digital research tools;

  • participate in discussions and give feedback in a productive way;

  • present outcomes in a concise way;

  • translate research outcomes for a larger public;

  • devise and execute a well-argued and structured research essay.

Timetable

Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2022-2023 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

Lectures, seminars, presentations and discussions

We will not only read and discuss texts that are important for framing the field and for understanding specific cases, but as a presentation mode, students will also bring a text, thing, or other materials to the classroom and write a post on those materials in a digital research environment and online publication platform that is developed specifically for this purpose (TTT Things that Talk). You may also choose to use the same environment to present your own case to a larger public. In translating your own research using this publication platform you will be assisted by the project leader and a student assistant specifically trained for this task.

For examples from last year’s course see: https://thingsthattalk.net/zone/culture-on-the-move

Assessment Method

  • 15% participation in group discussions (ongoing, including response)

  • 35% presentation digital TTT case (ongoing, deadline in week 6 at the latest)

  • 50% essay (2000 words) (week 8)

Reading list

TBA: Literature will be made available through Brightspace

Registration

Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr. Mathijs Peters, m.a.peters@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

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