BA Linguistics and Russian

This course unit consolidates knowledge of the fundamentals of Russian grammar (such as case and aspect); considers more advanced issues (such as gerunds and participles); develops the active command of spoken Russian. Classes are complemented by a range of independent language learning activities delivered via Blackboard.

Not available as a free choice unit. If the level is appropriate, however, the convenor may admit an external student.

•    To attract students who will benefit from studying a modern foreign language.
•    To prepare students for their   period of residence abroad in Russia.
•    To widen participation within the body of students studying Russian.
•    To contribute to society through the development of   knowledge about   different   cultural customs and traditions and   multiculturalism

Content:

Oral Topics :

Global international language.
• TV.
• Art. Graffiti.
• Sub-cultures.
• Fate is character.
• Internet.
• Gadgets.
• Science and mankind.
• Our future.
• Tourism.

Grammar Topics:

• Participles.
• Gerunds.
• Numerals.
• Impersonal constructions.

Translation and writing skills will be developed with the help of regular homework assignments, some of which do not count towards the final course mark but will help students to gauge their progress in preparation for summative assessment.

Oral/aural skills will be developed through a parallel series of practical classes and work assignments to be undertaken by students in their own time in the Language Centre.

Extensive resources will be available via Blackboard. These will include copies of handouts and PowerPoint presentations used in class; required homework exercises; links to online language learning and translation resources and to required and recommended readings (where appropriate).

By the end of this course students will be able to:
•    Handle grammatical structures appropriate to the level of study (formation and usage of gerunds [verbal adverbs]; formation and usage of active and passive participles [verbal adjectives]; short-form participles and adjectives; numbers; impersonal constructions)
•    Read and translate authentic Russian-language texts on topics such as the mass media; the Russian government and Russian politics; and economics and business.
•    Communicate in written form and orally on a range of complex topics (such as the Russian mass media, Russians today and everyday life in Russia, politics and business).

During this course students will deal with:
•    Problem solving.
•    Synthesis and analysis of data and information.
•    Critical reflection and evaluation.

During this course students will be able to:
•    Use library, electronic and online resources.
•    Improve communication and negotiation skills.
•    Speak, read and write in Russian.

By the end of this course students will be able to improve their: 
•    Computer Literacy.
•    Teamwork.
•    Time Management.
 

Assessment task	Formative or Summative	Weighting within unit (if summative)
Continuous assessment of class work, consisting of   two in-class grammar Progress   tests (one in each Semester);	Summative	20% (10% each)
Continuous assessment in oral classes, consisting   of two Progress Tests (one   in each Semester);	Summative	20% (10% each)
Oral examinations, held at the end of each Semester	Summative	30% (15% each)
A written exam, held at the end of Semester 2	Summative	30%
Students will be expected to submit a piece of work as requested by their tutor every week.	Formative	This coursework is formative and it does not count towards the final course result. However, it is essential to do it consistently in order to gradually get the necessary preparation for the final exam

Resit Assessment:

Oral Exam

Written Exam

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 oral exams at the end of  each semester, and the written exam at the end of semester 2, special feedback forms will be available for all students upon request.	Summative

 

1. Elena Simms, Tatiana Romanova "Russian in a Contemporary World" A Textbook for Intermediate Russian (Routledge, 2019)

Reference Grammars:

1. Derek Offord, Modern Russian: An Advanced Grammar Course (London: Bristol Classical Press, 1997)
2. Terence Wade, A Comprehensive Russian Grammar (Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 2000)
3. Dual-Language Dictionaries:
4. The Oxford Russian-English, English-Russian Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998)
5. E. M. Mednikova & Iu. D. Apresian (eds.), New English-Russian Dictionary (Moscow: Russkii Iazyk Publishers, 1993)
6. Single-Language Dictionaries:
7. S. Ozhegov, Slovar’ russkogo iazyka (Moscow: Russkii Iazyk Publishers, 2000)

Scheduled activity hours include 

Grammar Classes: 44.0
Oral seminars: 88.0