Academic Catalog 2025–2026

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Bachelor of Arts in Translation

Mission

The BA in Translation program aims to graduate ethical and competent translators who demonstrate integrity and professionalism in translation; understand similarities and differences in self-expression among writers of English and Arabic; and apply diverse styles of communication suitable for each job market.

Program Educational Objectives

The BA in Translation program will:

  • Provide students with a good command of translation theories and methodologies.
  • Graduate ethical and professional translators capable of translating different cultural, economic, legal, and technical genres of texts.
  • Equip students with research and critical thinking skills who produce accurate research-based translations that address textual demands.
  • Graduate students who are ready to pursue postgraduate studies and/or assume translation jobs in reputable institutions or organizations.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to do the following:

  1. Compare translation theories and methodologies.
  2. Generate ethical and professional translations of different cultural, economic, legal, and technical genres of texts.
  3. Apply technological tools to facilitate translation.
  4. Determine the author’s voice, style, and culture in the target text.
  5. Apply ethical and professional translation strategies in real life settings.

Curriculum

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

  • Program Core Requirements (43 credits)
  • Emphasis Requirements (12 credits)
  • LAS Core Requirement (6 credits)
  • LAS Electives (24 credits)
  • CSC Elective (1 credit)
  • Free Electives (6 credits)1

1 ​Students can opt for the track in Business or French for 12 credits out of the 18 credits of free electives.

Core Language Requirements (9 credits)

  • ARA303 Arabic Grammar & Syntax (3 cr.)
  • ARA305 Arabic Philology & Lexicography (3 cr.)
  • ENG308 Semantics & Pragmatics (3 cr.)

Core Translation Requirements (34 credits)

  • TRA222 Translation Theory & Methodology (3 cr.)
  • TRA224 Translation of Journalistic Texts (3 cr.)
  • TRA312 Contrastive Linguistics (3 cr.)
  • TRA326 Translation of UN & International Conferences (3 cr.)
  • TRA328 Translation of Audiovisuals (3 cr.)
  • TRA330 Translation of Official & Legal Documents (3 cr.)
  • TRA332 Translation of Business & Economics Texts (3 cr.)
  • TRA334 Translation of Technical Texts (3 cr.)
  • TRA342 Computer Applications & Tools (3 cr.)
  • TRA346 Editing (1 cr.)
  • TRA444 Practicum (3 cr.)
  • TRA499P Capstone Project (3 cr.)

Business Emphasis Requirements (12 credits)

  • TRA350 Translation of Medical and Pharmaceutical Texts (Fr./Ar., Ar./Fr.) (3 cr.)
  • TRA460 Advanced Translation of Business & Economics Texts (3 cr.)
  • TRA464 Advanced Translation of Official & Legal Documents (3 cr.)
  • TRA488 Special Topics in Translation (3 cr.)

French Emphasis Electives (12 credits)

  • TRA482 Translation of Audiovisuals (Fr./Ar., Ar./Fr.) (3 cr.)
  • TRA484 Translation of UN & International Conferences (Fr./Ar., Ar./Fr.) (3 cr.)
  • TRA486 Translation of Official & Legal Documents (Fr./Ar., Ar./Fr.) (3 cr.)
  • TRA488 Special Topics in Translation (Fr.) (3 cr.)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (16 credits)

  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
  • LAS Arabic Course (3 cr.)
  • ARA303 Arabic Grammar & Syntax (3 cr.)
  • LAS Change Makers (3cr.)
  • TRA342 Computer Applications & Tools (3 cr.)
  • CSC 201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • COM203 Art of Public Communication (3cr.)
  • TRA312 Contrastive Linguistics (3 cr.)
  • TRA224 Translation of Journalistic Texts (3 cr.)
  • LAS Philosophy, Religion or History (3cr.)
  • LAS Science (3cr.)

Year Two

Fall (15 credits)

  • ARA305 Arabic Philosophy & Lexicography (3cr.)
  • ENG308 Semantics and Pragmatics (3cr.)
  • TRA332 Translation of Business & Economics Texts (3 cr.)
  • TRA222 Translation Theory and Methodology (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective English Literature (3cr.)

 Spring (15 credits)

  • TRA326 Translation of UN & International Conferences (3 cr.)
  • TRA328 Translation of Audiovisuals (3 cr.)
  • TRA330 Translation of Official & Legal Documents (3 cr.)
  •  Free Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Digital Cultures (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (16 credits)

  • LAS Change Makers (3 cr.)
  • TRA346 Editing (1 cr.)
  • TRA334 Translation of Technical Texts (3 cr.)
  • TRA460 Advanced Translation of Business and Economics (3 cr.)1
  • TRA350 Translation of Medical and Pharmaceutical Texts (Fr./Ar., Ar./Fr.) (3 cr.)2
  • TRA499 Senior Study (3 cr.)

1or TRA482 Translation of Audiovisuals (Fr./Ar., Ar./Fr.)
2or TRA484 Translation of UN and International Conferences (Fr./Ar., Ar./Fr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • TRA444 Practicum (3cr.)
  • TRA464 Advanced Translation of Official and Legal Documents (3 cr.)3
  • TRA499P Capstone Project (3 cr.)
  • Free Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Humanities and Arts (3 cr.)

3or TRA486 Translation of Official and Legal Documents (Fr./Ar., Ar./Fr.)

4or TRA488 Special Topics in Translation (Fr.)