Русский язык

RUSS 302

Advanced Russian

SPRING 2014 UAF

Prof. Trina R. Mamoon Office hours: WF: 2:15-3:15, T: 3:30-4:30, and by appt.

Office: 608A Grue

Email:

3 cr. • GRUE 412 • MWF 3:30-4:30PM

Prerequisites: COMM F131X or F141X; ENGL F111X; ENGL F211 or F213X; RUSS F202; or instructor permission.

Required Material

• Advanced Russian: From Reading to Speaking От текста к речи • Handouts • Ogonëk

Course overview

This is an advanced language course designated as Writing-Intensive (W) and Oral-Intensive (O), designed for Russian and Foreign Languages majors and those wishing to improve their written and oral skills in Russian. The W and O designation means that students are expected to do a good deal of graded written and oral work. Students are required to attend all classes and turn in all written assignments in a timely manner. There will be two oral presentations (minimum of five minutes each) with a Question & Answer period afterward. Students will be given feedback and evaluation for all presentations.

This course is the second of the two Advanced Russian language courses offered at UAF, and presupposes a certain level of vocabulary and grammar skills on part of the students, that they are expected to have acquired prior to enrolling for this high-level course. By its very nature, language is like a building block that can only build upon the material that has already been learned. Unlike some other disciplines, where once you have passed one course, one test, you do not have to remember the previous material, the study of languages is different. A significant amount of retention of past material and basic vocabulary is a must for succeeding in this course. Student knowledge of vocabulary relating to, but not limited to, household items, verbs of day to day activity, 10 major countries of the world, geographic names (river, hill, etc.), 10 colors, common fruits and vegetables, and animals will be expected. The tests, while covering the material (vocabulary and grammar) under current review will not be limited to it. Tests and quizzes will reflect a fair amount (up to 10%) of grammar and vocabulary not from the chapter under review.

Objectives and Requirements

·  Familiarize students with the Russian written register

·  Vocabulary and grammar associated with academic writing and publishing

·  Vocabulary and grammar associated with geography and location

·  Vocabulary and grammar associated with the education system and learning

·  Provide advanced grammar rules for the verb to be быть

·  Provide advanced grammar rules for verbal aspects

·  Provide advanced grammar rules for verbal aspects and the imperative mood

·  Develop spoken skills: in-class oral practice of a variety of topics and themes in Russian. Recitation of poems

·  Develop reading skills: read Russian-language texts (folk tales and newspaper articles) discuss and translate into English

·  Develop writing skills: write short papers and/or assignments in Russian on Russian folklore, culture, and Russian writers

Expected learning outcomes

·  Proficiency in 1) utilizing the written register, 2) correctly using verbal aspects, and 3) ability to use the verb to be correctly

·  Gain an in-depth knowledge of Russian culture: 1) discuss geographic locations and phenomena, 2) ability to discuss the Russian educational system and compare it with the American educational system, become familiarized with vocabulary associated with politics and government

·  Gain an in-depth knowledge of Russian folklore and customs

·  Read texts in the original Russian with a dictionary and be able to answer questions about the texts from journals and other media

·  Ability to communicate with native speakers of Russian about daily activities, likes and dislikes in music and literature, sports, theater and film, folklore, the educational system, customs and holidays

·  Competency in writing short papers and assignments in Russian on various topics such as personal information and family, travel and vacation, aspects of Russian culture, and biographies of popular writers and cultural figures from Russia and other parts of the world

Format

The organization of this class will be similar to that of the previous 301 course. On Mondays and Wednesdays we will be covering our textbook, while on Fridays students will turn in their journal reports, present news items from national and international news media, recite short poems from memory, and read stories from Russian folktale. Handouts covering a vast variety of material—excerpts from literary works and folk tale, and newspaper and journal articles—will be given out to supplement the textbook.

The effectiveness of this course relies on student participation which includes keeping dairies, writing summaries, doing grammar exercises, and making weekly oral presentations. There will be several short graded written assignments, covering material from various sources on a variety of topics. There will one presentation due on a topic related to Russia (a city or region; the education system; one historical event). For the term paper, students will write a research paper on a Russian writer. Students are advised to start familiarizing themselves with one or more Russian writers now, so that they are able to write a research paper on this topic. The term paper project will be supervised in stages, and students will meet individually with the instructor at least twice during the semester to discuss their progress. Please bring your textbook and all handouts to class every time.

NB Do not expect instructor help and feedback on presentation and term paper drafts if you don’t turn them in by the deadline. Meeting deadlines for drafts is crucial. Meeting with the language tutor for practicing oral presentation is recommended.

Support Services

If you have problems or concerns see me as soon as possible. You must bring your textbook, homework, and quizzes when you come to see me in my office. I will do my best to help you out. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the language lab (608 Grue) and work in groups outside of the classroom. The language lab is equipped with a computer with Russian fonts, dictionaries, and other study materials. The instructor will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203 WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.

Evaluation and Grading Policy

Attendance 5%

Participation 5%

Homework 10%

Quizzes (chapter & vocabulary) 25%

*Oral presentation 5%

Written assignments 10%

*Term paper 10%

*Final presentation 5%

Final (written & oral) 25%

*Four components are taken into consideration—grammar, content, delivery and pronunciation— when computing the final grade for the oral and final presentations, and the term paper. It is very important to write the first draft of your presentation as best as you can, as the grade for the grammar section is taken from the average of the grades of the drafts (2 to 3) and the final version.

Students are not graded on a curve.

NB This course will use plus-minus grading.

Grading scale
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92
/ B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
/
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
/
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
/
F 0-60

Please keep a respectful attitude in class. As the professor shows respect to the students, the students are expected to return that courtesy.

No food, drink, cell phones and beepers are allowed in the classroom.

Tentative Schedule

NOTE: We might have to make minor alterations and changes as we continue our work through the semester. Quizzes will be announced in class beforehand.

Week

1 (01/17) Introductions. Reading and conversation.

2 (01/22) Advanced Russian Chapter 1

3 (01/27) [Last day to drop class: Fri, Jan. 31] Advanced Russian Chapter 1

4 (02/03) Advanced Russian Chapter 1; skazki; Quiz # 1

5 (02/10) Advanced Russian Chapter 2; skazki

6 (02/17) Advanced Russian Chapter 2

7 (02/24) Advanced Russian Chapter 2; skazki.

8 (03/03) Advanced Russian Chapter 2; skazki; Quiz # 2

9 (03/10) [Last day to withdraw from class: Friday, Mar. 14]

03/17-03/21 Spring Break

10 (03/24) Advanced Russian Chapter 3; Written draft due Monday for oral presentation #1. Film: TBA

11 (03/31) Advanced Russian Chapter 3; skazki. Quiz # 3

12 (04/07) Advanced Russian Chapter 4. Presentation # 1 on Friday, Apr, 4.

13 (04/14) Draft of term paper due Friday, April 18. Chapter 4

14 (04/21) Advanced Russian Chapter 4

15 (04/28) Review. Term paper/presentation Friday, May 2.

16 (05/05) Monday May 5: Last day of instruction: Review

Wednesday, May 07: Final Exam (3:15-5:15)

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