TRANSLATION ETHICS AND COPYRIGHTS PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION

Code	Name of the Course Unit	Semester	In-Class Hours (T+P)	Credit	ECTS Credit
ETI212	TRANSLATION ETHICS AND COPYRIGHTS	4	3	3	5

GENERAL INFORMATION
Language of Instruction :	English
Level of the Course Unit :	BACHELOR'S DEGREE, TYY: + 6.Level, EQF-LLL: 6.Level, QF-EHEA: First Cycle
Type of the Course :	Compulsory
Mode of Delivery of the Course Unit	-
Coordinator of the Course Unit	Assist.Prof. VAHİDE METİN
Instructor(s) of the Course Unit
Course Prerequisite	No

OBJECTIVES AND CONTENTS
Objectives of the Course Unit:	This course aims to introduce students to the ethical principles of the translation profession and copyright legislation, thereby raising their awareness of the ethical dilemmas and legal responsibilities they may encounter in professional practice. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to work professionally and ethically—upholding the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, and accuracy—without infringing on copyright.
Contents of the Course Unit:	The ethical principles of the translation profession (confidentiality, impartiality, accuracy, professional responsibility); international and national codes of professional ethics (FIT, ATA, etc.); the concept of copyright and the foundations of intellectual property law; copyright ownership in translated works; unauthorized reproduction, plagiarism, and citation rules; contractual and copyright arrangements in translator-publisher-author relationships; copyright in the digital age (AI-assisted translation, online content); discussion of current ethical and legal issues through case studies.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE UNIT (On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to)
Define the fundamental ethical principles of the translation profession (confidentiality, impartiality, accuracy) and the concept of copyright.
Apply international and national codes of professional ethics (FIT, ATA, etc.) to concrete professional situations.
Analyze potential ethical dilemmas and copyright infringement risks in a translation project to determine their possible legal consequences.
Evaluate contractual and copyright arrangements in translator-publisher-author relationships in light of current legislation (Law No. 5846).
Develop an ethics- and copyright-based recommendation/solution regarding the use of AI-assisted translation tools, drawing on current case studies.

WEEKLY COURSE CONTENTS AND STUDY MATERIALS FOR PRELIMINARY & FURTHER STUDY
Week	Preparatory	Topics(Subjects)	Method
1	---	Introduction to the translation profession: professional responsibility and the concept of ethics	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
2	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Fundamental ethical principles: confidentiality, impartiality, accuracy	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
3	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	International codes of professional ethics (FIT, ATA)	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
4	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	National codes of professional ethics (Translators' Professional Associations)	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
5	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Ethical dilemmas: case studies and discussion	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
6	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Introduction to intellectual property law; the concept of copyright	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
7	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Copyright legislation in Turkey and worldwide (Law No. 5846 and international conventions)	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
8	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Copyright ownership in translated works and the author-translator relationship	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
9	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Plagiarism, citation, and unauthorized reproduction	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
10	-	MID-TERM EXAM	-
11	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Translator-publisher-author contracts and copyright agreements	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
12	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Copyright in the digital environment: online content, subtitling, localization	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
13	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	AI-assisted translation tools and their ethical/copyright dimensions	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
14	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Current case studies and general review	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
15	Reviewing the assigned reading material prior to class	Current case studies and general review	Lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and in-class debate
16	-	FINAL EXAM	-
17	-	FINAL EXAM	-

SOURCE MATERIALS & RECOMMENDED READING
Chesterman, A., & Baker, M. (Eds.). (2008). Ethics of Renarration: Mona Baker Is Interviewed by Andrew Chesterman. Cultus, 1(1). (Alternatif olarak daha yaygın kullanılan: Baker, M. (2006). Translation and Conflict: A Narrative Account. Routledge.)
Pym, A. (2012). On Translator Ethics: Principles for Mediation Between Cultures. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Venuti, L. (1998). The Scandals of Translation: Towards an Ethics of Difference. London/New York: Routledge.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment & Grading of In-Term Activities	Number of Activities	Degree of Contribution (%)	Description	Examination Method

Level of Contribution
0	1	2	3	4	5

KNOWLEDGE
Theoretical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Knows translation theories, linguistic approaches, and intercultural communication models.				3
2	Explains fundamental concepts related to the relationship between language, culture, and meaning.				3
3	Evaluates the historical development and theoretical orientations of the field of translation studies.				3

KNOWLEDGE
Factual
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Identifies the grammatical, semantic, and cultural characteristics of source and target languages.				3
2	Has knowledge of the structural and functional features of various text types.				3
3	Recognizes institutions, professional standards, and ethical principles related to the translation industry.						5

SKILLS
Cognitive
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Analyzes written and oral texts in terms of language, meaning, and context.				3
2	Determines appropriate translation strategies and reconstructs meaning with consideration of cultural differences.					4
3	Evaluates translation problems through critical thinking and problem-solving skills.				3

SKILLS
Practical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Effectively uses professional tools and technological software in written and oral translation processes.					4
2	Performs translation practices in various fields such as law, literature, technology, and media.					4
3	Manages translation projects by observing time management and quality standards.					4

OCCUPATIONAL
Autonomy & Responsibility
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Plans, conducts, and evaluates translation projects individually or as part of a team.				3
2	Solves problems in translation processes by making independent decisions.				3
3	Takes responsibility in professional practices and demonstrates leadership when necessary.				3
4	Works collaboratively with different stakeholders to achieve common goals.			2

OCCUPATIONAL
Learning to Learn
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Follows new research and technological developments in the field.				3
2	Continuously improves professional knowledge and skills through lifelong learning.				3
3	Identifies personal learning needs and applies independent learning strategies.				3

OCCUPATIONAL
Communication & Social
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Communicates effectively in multicultural environments and contributes to teamwork.				3
2	Uses English and Turkish fluently and accurately in professional and social contexts.					4
3	Respects intercultural differences and acts in accordance with ethical values.				3

OCCUPATIONAL
Occupational and/or Vocational
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Adheres to the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, and accuracy in the translation process.						5
2	Assumes professional responsibility and makes ethical decisions in translation projects.						5
3	Acts professionally in accordance with national and international standards of the field.					4

WORKLOAD & ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE UNIT
Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities
Type of the Learning Activites	Learning Activities (# of week)	Duration (hours, h)	Workload (h)
Lecture & In-Class Activities	14	3	42
Preliminary & Further Study	13	2	26
Land Surveying	0	0	0
Group Work	8	2	16
Laboratory	0	0	0
Reading	13	2	26
Assignment (Homework)	5	2	10
Project Work	0	0	0
Seminar	0	0	0
Internship	0	0	0
Technical Visit	0	0	0
Web Based Learning	0	0	0
Implementation/Application/Practice	5	1	5
Practice at a workplace	0	0	0
Occupational Activity	0	0	0
Social Activity	0	0	0
Thesis Work	0	0	0
Field Study	0	0	0
Report Writing	0	0	0
Final Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Final Exam	0	0	0
Mid-Term Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Mid-Term Exam	0	0	0
Short Exam	0	0	0
Preparation for the Short Exam	0	0	0
TOTAL	60	0	127