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PL52152: Précis-writing for the United Nations

[Page last updated: 16 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CWSI 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Pr©cis-writing coursework 1 (CWSI 25%)
  • Pr©cis-writing coursework 2 (CWSI 25%)
  • Pr©cis-writing examination (CWSI 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to demonstrate:
  • that you can deal with a range of complex linguistic issues in both a systematic and creative way, so as to produce competent summary records of the type required by the United Nations agencies
  • that you have developed the ability to make sound judgements, on your own initiative, on questions of content and analysis, with an awareness of the practical implications of your decisions
  • that you have acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the context in which professional précis-writers operate and of their role in documenting the proceedings of different bodies



Synopsis: Learn the skills and techniques involved in drafting summary records of meetings within the United Nations system. You'll work with a range of subject matter and language content, including global varieties of English and other languages, and take part in individual and group exercises. You'll complete assessed assignments throughout the unit, on which you will receive detailed and constructive feedback.

Content: In this unit, you will learn the key skills and techniques required for "précis-writing", or writing summary records of United Nations meetings, and gain an understanding of how précis-writers work in a variety of UN contexts. Précis-writing skills will be developed and honed using a variety of recorded, written and improvised speeches on general and more technical topics. Group exercises in class will focus largely on English-language source materials; foreign-language work in French, Russian and Spanish will be incorporated as appropriate. The style guides of a range of UN agencies will be used in class and for assessed assignments. Where practicable, we will attend simulated conferences organised for the MA in Interpreting and Translating and prepare summary records of the proceedings. After submitting an initial formative précis-writing assignment, on which you will receive individual feedback, you will complete two assessed précis-writing assignments during the semester and an examination at the end of the unit.

Course availability:

PL52152 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Russian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - German and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Spanish

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.