INTENSIVE RUSSIAN I -- 8 credits (RCLang 193/Russian
103). Make sure you register under your college's number (RC 193, LSA
103)
This course is offered in the Fall Term only. It meets four days a week for two hours each day for
a total 8 hours of credit, the first hour being devoted to grammar practice, and
the second hour to skills (speaking, listening, writing, reading,
culture).
This course is designed to introduce students to Russian
language and culture through a variety of reading, listening, writing and oral
activities, all aimed at the development of their communicative
competence. It provides students with a basic, but solid knowledge of
grammar and syntax, a functional vocabulary, familiarity with intonational
patterns and native pronunciation, and practice in speaking, reading, writing,
listening, as well as an elementary knowledge of Russian culture. Upon
completion of this course, students should be able to: understand simple written
texts or short spoken passages without the aid of a dictionary; satisfy their
most immediate writing needs in the form of notes and personal correspondence;
and carry on a short, elementary conversation, dealing with survival
situations, ask and answer questions, speak in complete sentences, and
create with language. The sociocultural knowledge they acquire should
enable them to function successfully (and without breakdown in comprehension) in
their communications with native speakers and in their contact with Russian
printed and spoken language. Evaluation is based on daily home
assignments, weekly tests and quizzes, class participation, and final oral and
written exams. This course is particularly recommended for those wishing
to major or minor in Russian or REES, double majors, or students who need to
fast-track their language study. Daily homework, weekly vocabulary
quizzes, biweekly grammar tests, and a final exam. 3 hrs of conversational
co-curricular activities (Russian tables and teas) per week.
There are
two parts in the final exam for 193:
Writing
Grammar Vocabulary Composition
Speaking
Short oral
interview
Reading and listening are not formally tested at this point,
but the student's performance in class weighs heavily in the final decision on
whether or not the student may go into 293. For more information on
course format, policies, textbooks, etc. click on the course intro tab below.
For syllabi select the syllabi tab. Note: these are this year's materials
that may be adjusted for the next
term.
INTENSIVE RUSSIAN II -- 8
credits (RCLang 293/Russian 203. Make sure you register under your
college's number (RC 293, LSA 203)
This course is offered in the Winter Term
only. It
meets four days a week for two hours each day for a total 8 hours of credit.
The goal of this course is to expand vocabulary and to master
grammatical structures and syntax to the level of competency required to pass a
proficiency examination. This entails developing the ability to communicate with
some ease with a native speaker in spoken and written language. Students must be
able to understand the content of texts and lectures of a non-technical nature,
and of general (non-literary) interest. This course is particularly
recommended for those wishing to major or minor in Russian or REES, double
majors, offsemester students or students who need to fast-track their language
study. Daily homework, weekly vocabulary quizzes, biweekly grammar tests,
5 short compositions, and a final proficiency exam. 3 hrs of
conversational co-curricular activities (Russian tables and teas) per
week.
In class students review difficult grammar, receive intensive
training and practice in reading, listening and writing strategies, and learn
about ivarious aspects of contemporary Russia, and discuss the assigned texts.
Course structure and format closely resemble those of 193/103.
The
Proficiency exam evaluates the student's level of performance in communicative
skills at the end of the term (see Proficiency).
For more
information on course format, policies, textbooks, etc. click on the course
intro tab below. For syllabi select the syllabi tab. Note: these are this
year's materials that may be adjusted for the next
term.
Section 001. Readings in Russian -- 4 credits
(3 class meetings, 4 hours of
credit).
General info on RC Russian readings
courses:
Being the last step in the language requirement sequence of
Proficiency-plus-a-Readings-course, these courses are open to all students who
have passed the Russian Proficiency Exam (i.e., have reached at least
Intermediate-High proficiency levels in reading, writing, listening and
speaking). The goal of this course is to use and improve (to advanced level)
different language skills by reading, writing about, and discussing topics
dealing with Russia, Russians and Russian culture. Recent topics have
included: Russians Abroad; Russian Foodways: History, Culture and
Practices of the Russian Table; Russian Women; Russian Education; St.
Petersburg: City of Power, Mystery and Human Tragedy, Russian Everyday
Life. In these seminars, language is used as a tool to study other
subjects and is not studied as an end unto itself.
Interdisciplinary by
nature (and consistent with the RC’s curricular philosophy), these seminars
provide students with a way of expanding their studies of foreign language and
culture as well as with opportunities for applying their language skills in
order to explore their specific interests in more depth. Thus, students have the
opportunity to apply their language skills to other disciplines. Topics are
explored through a variety of authentic and unadapted materials: belles lettres,
journalism, scholarly/academic writing, audio-visual materials (films, music, TV
programs), interviews and practicum activities. Class sessions are usually on an
informal lecture-discussion basis and students are often responsible for leading
discussions. The amount of reading may be equivalent to three medium-length
books; students write an average of four papers of four-to-six pages in length
and often give presentations involving research on a topic related to the basic
theme of the class. Attendance and active participation in the class are
required. Students are also expected to continue working on honing their
linguistic skills. They meet with the instructor three hours a week and have
mandatory weekly individual tutorials. Active participation in the discussions
is expected. Students write 20-25 (word-processed) pages during the term. At the
end of the term students have a final project, consisting of a presentation and
6-8 page report on a research topic of their choice. Participation in class
discussions, content and linguistic accuracy of both written and oral work are
taken into account to evaluate the final grade for the course.
All
class activities, readings and assignments are in Russian. Therefore,
Russian Readings courses are open to all students who pass the Russian
Proficiency Exam (or by permission of instructor for LSA students). Students may
elect Russian Readings more than once as long as the content of the course is
different each time.
REMINDER: Plan to take a Readings course as soon after passing the
Proficiency Exam as possible. After passing the Proficiency Exam at the end of
the Winter Term you will have a four-month gap before taking Readings. It is
advisable to maintain Russian during the summer to keep in shape (we can help
with suggestions).
Below is the description of the Russian Readings course
for the Fall term 2008.
Russian Readings (RCLang 323) Moscow and St.
Petersburg: Two Captials, Two Worlds, Two Planets (4 credits). 3 contact hours
per week plus weekly writing tutorials.
Course
description:
"Mother Moscow, Father Petersburg”. “Russia needs Moscow as
Petersburg needs Russia" (Gogol’). For over two hundred years the polarities of
Russian culture have been expressed in the opposition between Russia’s two
greatest cities: Moscow and St Petersburg. Moscow, the old, organic, heartland
city of cathedrals, merchants, winding streets, and conviviality was, in the
nineteenth century, seen as the opposite of western-looking, man-made,
bureaucratic, imperial St Petersburg, the new capital, with its un-Russian
buildings and its cold, stern appearance. The Bolsheviks moved power back to
Moscow, the “ancient capital”, and reversed some of the polarities, but
Petersburg/Petrograd/Leningrad/Petersburg (again!) has retained its powerful
mythology - the first modern city, made as much by writers as by architects and
emperors. In the new Russia, Moscow’s predominance in wealth and power has again
changed the relationship. The course will explore the changing configurations of
that relationship, as expressed in historical events, art, and popular culture.
Readings - all in Russian - include: fiction, poetry, travelers’ tales,
journalism, tourist materials. Music, several films, and other media will also
be assigned. Students are required to participate in class discussions, keep a
journal, write three papers, and complete a final
project.
