Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Introduction to Translation (Face-to-Face)

FREN 4510-01

Course: FREN 4510-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLPH
CRN: 30691

Course Description

Practicum where translation skills are developed at an advanced level. (Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): FREN 2020 or FREN 2030 or equivalent - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

The texts we will translate will be provided as electronic handouts. 
Students should have access to whatever types of dictionaries they prefer to use. My favorite is
which gives one access to Larousse, Trésor, Robert... in essence, all the dictionaries you could want to consult. 
My favorite English-French is https://www.wordreference.com/fren/
The use of AI or online translators is not permitted. It is important to note that using these tools will not help students learn to translate and therefore, will sabotage their ability to succeed in important assessments for this class. 

Learning Outcomes


Primary LOs:
Students of FREN 4510 will have the opportunity to ...
greatly increase their reading comprehension of French and expand their knowledge of French vocabulary; deepen their understanding of the rules governing French grammar and syntax; understand the complex grammatical and syntactical issues at stake with translation; and improve their ability to translate texts on a variety of subjects proficiently from French to English.

Secondary LOs: Students of FREN 4510 will also have the potential to...
continue improving spoken proficiency in French; increase understanding of French-speaking cultures by exposure to newspaper articles and other texts of a variety of genres and types; and, improve their writing in French.


Course Requirements

Course requirements with final grade breakdown 
Attendance = 5%
Daily translations (complete) & critical discussion of translations with a partner in class = 25%
4 in class graded translations = 30%
Final project (2 components) = 15%
Oral midterm quiz = 7%
Final project recording = 8%
Grammar quizzes = 10%

Course Outline


Course requirements details
:
Attendance: Attendance and participation in class activities is vital to success in this course.
Daily translations (complete) & critical discussion:  Students will prepare translations outside of class to be discussed and analyzed in class. (Devoirs on the calendar.) Students must be present to participate in discussions for credit. Students should look upon these discussions as a chance to improve their translations and translating skills through critical analysis of the groups' translations. 
4 Graded translations:  Students will complete and polish 4 translations in class for a grade (5 including the final project). See calendar for dates. The graded translations are on a schedule of one after each group of 4 workshopped (ungraded) translations. 
Final Project: The final project is a graded translation, completed in class at the time of the scheduled final exam. For this project, students will pick texts related to their field or interests and turn in their choice of texts several days before the written graded translation (25% of the final project grade). I will choose an excerpt (or excerpts) from the texts provided for the student to translate (graded translation = 75% of final project grade).
Grammar quizzes: We will spend a small portion of class going over structures and grammatical topics which are vital to translation. These quizzes will assess the comprehension of these topics. They will feature the translation of these structures from French to English. See calendar for topics and dates. 
Oral midterm exam: Each student will have a one-on-one discussion with me in French. Part one: interpretation of verb tenses, French to English.  Part two: In French. Discussion of translation processes and problems. 
Final recording: This recording relates to the student's final project. It is a recorded discussion of translation process and problems and of translation in general. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Because this course's substance is built on critical discussions of student translations, preparing translations ahead of class is vital to success in this course. 
In order to make room for things that happen that prevent completing translations ahead of time, here is how points can be made up when a student does not complete a translation before class. .
Daily translations (complete) & critical discussion of translations : If students do not complete translations in time for class discussion, they may make up the points by evidence of a critical discussion of their text with another student or myself. 

Attendance Policy

Because this course's substance is built on critical discussions of student translations, attendance is a vital part of the course. 
In order to make room for things that happen that prevent attending class, these are the ways points can be made up after absence.
Daily translations (complete) & critical discussion of translations : If students miss a class discussion of a translation, they may make up the points by evidence of a critical discussion of their text with another student or myself. 
For the Oral midterm quiz and grammar quizzes, email me leahy@suu.edu to arrange for a make-up.  

Course Fees

$12

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.