Additional outcomes:
While the emphasis will be very much upon the practicalities and techniques of the sign translation process itself, students will also acquire a deeper understanding of the work of the dramatists and particular texts under study.

Outline content:
The module is divided into two sections as follows:
Section 1 – Translation of contemporary text (first term) will link closely with the module on Studies in 20th Century British Theatre by exploring texts of contemporary dramatists who may not necessarily be British. The module will begin with practical translation work on extracts from a variety of sources, including plays by George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wile, and Noel Coward. The emphasis of these preliminary exercises will be upon the challenges presented in the translation into a visual language of the verbal wit and humour presented by the work of these dramatists. From Week 3 of the term, students will be split into small groups with each group leading discussion and seminar presentation of four main areas:
The rise of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, and the work of such dramatists as Yeats and O’Casey, and the challenges inherent in translating dialect plays.
More contemporary Irish dramatists such as Brian Friel (egTranslations) who places an emphasis upon language itself as a medium of communication
The work of post-war American dramatists such as Arthur Miller, and the difficulties of translating ‘Americanisms’ into a signed translation intelligible to a British deaf audience.
The different performance techniques involved when signing for a televised drama – eg extracts from Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff.
Section 2 – Translation of Shakespeare for signed performance (second term) will place particular emphasis upon the current trends of access practiced by such organisations as the RSC, the Globe, and Shakespeare Link. It will concentrate upon four Shakespearean dramas; one comedy, one tragedy, one history play, and one of the later ‘fantasy’ plays. The choice of play may depend upon students’ preference and upon the play being presented in this term by Propeller Theatre Company based at the Watermill in Newbury – a professional company specialising in Shakespeare presentation with which this course has connections - or by the RSC or the Globe where sign interpreted or stage-text performances are offered.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will consist of three-hour practical workshop following preparatory research and reading. From Week 3 of the Autumn term, students will be split into small groups with each group presenting a seminar on a specified play text, and incorporating a rehearsed sign presentation of extracts from it. The form of this presentation will then be open to wider group critical analysis followed by further practical translation work of the text in hand. In addition to individual (or pair) seminar papers.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Each student is required to participate in a total of two seminar presentations throughout the course – one in each term. The marks awarded for each seminar presentation and the related seminar paper submitted will constitute 20% of the total mark for the module.
Contribution to practical workshop and discussion will constitute 60% of the total mark for the course module.
Penalties for late submission
Penalties of late submission of seminar papers will be in accordance with University policy.
Examinations
There are no formal written examinations for this course module.
Requirements for a pass: A mark of 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements
Should a student fail to obtain a pass mark in this module, arrangements will be made for that student to present a video of an appropriate individual translation exercise with an accompanying theoretical paper in September.