Brian Mossop’s purpose with this paper is to sketch a translation theory course suitable for undergraduate students. The results of a survey carried out by the author himself pointed out the difficulty of teaching a translation theory course to undergraduate students. Reflecting upon the goals and methods, the author describes three types of theory courses. The first type, entitled “Theory as methodology” focuses on possible translation strategies for different text types. The second type, entitled “Theory as description and explanation”, is meant for an audience of graduate students and aims at a systematic explanation of translation processes, functions and products. The third type, entitled “Theory as vision or contemplation (of what translators do)” and aimed at undergraduate students, is the focus of the article. The prime aim of this course type is to disturb received ideas about translation, communication and language, and confront students with the oddness of the translator’s position.