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Course Syllabus
Course Name

Summarize Translation Grammar (E-J) Contracts
Category Language Competence
No. of Credit 1
Number of Classes 4
Professor Michiko Takada

Professor Profile:
Graduated from Waseda University Faculty of Law (Bachelors of Law) in 1991. Worked in Toshiba Corporation Law Department in charge of international contract negotiation (1991-1996). After retirement of Toshiba, learned E-J Legal Translation at Babel University, and passed Babel Professional Translation Examination. Engaged in E-J and J-E Translation of legal documents as a freelance translator and reviewer (1998-present). Translated book: “My Days at Columbia Law School” by
Douglas Freeman. Involved in Distance Education of Babel University Professional School of Translation since 2003.
Course Summary Study "Rules to Summarizing Contracts" and learn how to read and analyze contracts when writing a summary. Based on these rules and using actual contracts, study how to summarize with emphasis on "Summarizing by Clause Order" in Lecture 1 and "Summarizing by Content Category" in Lecture 2. Lecture 3 deals with contrasting "Complete Translation" and "Summarization", and Lecture 4 looks at the difference between "Summarizing by Clause Order" and "Summarizing by Content Category". A written summary is required for each lecture putting theory into practice.
How this course was developed Due to increasing globalization and complication of the social economy in the 21st century, the amount of English written contracts has increased with amazing speed. Therefore, translation companies are getting more requests for outlines of written contracts along with, or in the place of, original written contracts. Babel University Professional School of Translation has created a team of translators from the International paralegal and legal translation major department to further develop skills in this area. This course is a culmination of that research and written by Professor Michiko Takada. This course was first offered in 2010.
Course Objective Have students obtain practical skills for writing a summary of lengthy English written contracts.
Learning Outcome Students who have successfully completed this course will be able to write a summary of lengthy English written contracts
Course Progression Read course text
Listen to audio lecture (Only for Lecture 1 and 2)
Work on practice questions and self-evaluate
Submit assignment
*There are no audio lectures for Lecture 3 and 4
 Deliverable (Texts, etc) BABEL original textbook
*Authored originally by the Professor. Copyrighted by Babel University Professional School of Translation.
*Revised in November 2012
Course Outline
Lecture 1 Topic: Rules in Contracts Summarization -How to Summarize in Order of Clause ("Summarizing by Clause Order")
Details: 1. Purpose of summarizing a contract (Why, who, and how) 2. Details on “Rules to Summarizing Contracts" 3. Summarizing in order of clause using sample contracts (computer software transfer agreement)
Outcome: Understand the purpose of writing a contract summary and the details of the rules in summarization. Learn how to summarize in order of clause.
Assignment: Writing a summary of a Consulting Agreement in order of clause.
Lecture 2 Topic: Categorizing and Summarizing by Content (Party's Right, Obligation, Prohibition, Permission etc) ("Summarizing by Content Category")
Details: Using the same sample contract as Lecture 1, learn summarizing by content category.
Outcome: Read contracts and categorize rights and obligations of person in question. Acquire a deeper understanding of contracts and learn to "stummarize by content".
Assignment: Writing a summary of an Agreement of Purchase and Sale of Business Assets.
Lecture 3 Topic: Contrasting Complete Translation and Summarization
Details: Cover tips on writing a complete translation or a summary of a contract.
Outcome: Look at the difference between complete translation and summary of a contract through practice questions, and get a better understanding of the steps in summarizing a contract.
Assignment: Write a complete translation and a summary by order of clause of an Independent Contractor Agreement
Lecture 4 Topic: Contrasting “Summarizing by Clause Order" and "Summarizing by Content Category"
Details: Study the assigned contract and learn tips in summarization
Outcome: Using the two method of summarization, acquire a deeper knowledge of the proceedings in writing a summary.
Assignment: Write a summary on Trademark License Agreement "by Clause Order" and "by Content Category".
Grade Evaluation and Course Requirement Grade will be based on the scores of the assignment (all 4 assignments are required).
Grade Score
A 85 - 100
B 70 - 84
C 60 - 69
D 50 - 59
F 49 and under
Submission papers will be returned with the evaluation sheet, which states evaluation marking and comments as well as corrections with rubrics.

*Minimum Course Requirement: B or above
Copyright©2012 Babel Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Revised in November 2012