BA History and Russian

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Russian Language 3

Course unit fact file
Unit code RUSS51030
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course unit aims to develop students’ knowledge of Russian grammar, syntax and vocabulary and to develop students’ active command of spoken Russian. Oral/aural skills will be further developed through a parallel series of practical classes and work assignments to be undertaken by students in their own time in the Language Centre.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Russian Language 2 RUSS51022 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

•    To broaden students’ knowledge of and mastery of the principles of the Russian language
•    To help students develop competence in spoken and written Russian beyond A-Level standard
•    To extend students’ knowledge of Russian culture and society by acquainting them with different Russian cultural customs and traditions

Knowledge and understanding

•    Handle grammatical structures appropriate to level of study.
•    Communicate in written form and orally on complex topics (e.g. to take part in discussion covering a range of issues such as leisure and travel, relationships and family, life in the city, transport and environmental issues).
•    Possess comprehension skills as an integral part of effective communication (e.g. to understand brief news items on TV and short literary texts).

Intellectual skills

This course develops abilities of:
•    Critical thinking.
•    Problem solving.
•    Synthesis and analysis of data and information.
•    Critical reflection and evaluation.
•    Translation

Practical skills

These include:
•    Use and present material in the target language in written and oral forms in a clear and effective manner
•    Use target language source materials appropriately
•    Use the library, the Language Centre and electronic and online resources (including Blackboard)
•    Improving communication skill

Transferable skills and personal qualities

These include:
•    Computer literacy
•    Teamwork
•    Time management
•    Reflecting upon and improving own learning
•    Applying subject knowledge

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Capacity to analyse and make critical judgements.
Innovation/creativity
Ability to maintain independence of thought.
Oral communication
Ability to speak a modern foreign language. Ability to express ideas clearly and confidently in public.
Written communication
Ability to express oneself clearly in writing.
Other
Capacity for self-appraisal, reflection and time management.

Assessment methods

Two in-class grammar tests (one in each semester) - 20% (10% each)

Two in-class writing/vocabulary tests (one each semester) - 20% (10% each)   

Oral exam, held at the end of each semester - 60% (30% each)

 

Resit assessment:

Oral exam

Feedback methods

Feedback method Formative or Summative

In-class tests will be marked within a week. All individual comments and feedback will be written on a special feedback form; if required, guidance on how to improve performance in further assessments will also be provided on this form. Generic feedback to the whole class will be also given during the lesson following the in-class test.

Summative

Oral classes: students will receive oral feedback during oral sessions as well as written comments on their prepared written topics.

Formative

After the final oral exam at the end of the year, special feedback forms will be available for all students upon request.

Summative

 

Recommended reading

  1. I love Russian. A2.  Liden&Denz. 2017 
  2. A.Latysheva, R.Yushkina Russian Grammar in Use. A2 level. (St.Petersburg 2019)
  3. James Levine, Schaum’s Outline of Russian Grammar (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009)
  4. Terence Wade, A Comprehensive Russian Grammar (Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 2000)
  5. The Oxford Russian-English, English-Russian Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998)

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars 66
Independent study hours
Independent study 178

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Elizaveta Langley Unit coordinator
Elena Simms Unit coordinator

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