Part one of an intensive course further developing students’
competence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Focus on
proficiency-oriented instruction and assessment. Engagement with
texts from a variety of genres designed to enhance command of
vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, including contemporary news and
topics in professional Russian.
Athena Title
Intensive Russ Conv and Comp I
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in RUSS 3001
Prerequisite
RUSS 2001 or RUSS 2011
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will identify main ideas and key details in complex written and oral texts on contemporary Russian cultural, social, and academic topics, and demonstrate comprehension through summaries, discussions, and written responses.
Students will engage in sustained, spontaneous conversations and discussions in Russian, both in-class and through telecollaboration with Russian peers, using advanced grammar structures, complex sentences, and culturally appropriate expressions.
Students will organize and deliver detailed oral and written presentations on a variety of topics, incorporating new vocabulary and grammatical structures, and respond effectively to audience questions.
Students will compare cultural norms, practices, and perspectives in Russian-speaking communities, demonstrating the ability to interact appropriately in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
Topical Outline
Education and the 21st Century
• Genitive case, time expressions, verbal aspect, word formation (prefixes)
• My studies
• Education systems
• Benefits and challenges of high education
Work and Life
• Genitive case, conditional mood, word formation (suffixes)
• Career choices,
• Work-related problems
• Balancing work, studies and leisure
Leisure and Lifestyle
• Accusative case, concessive expressions, Imperative verbs
• Free time activities
• Film/book reviews
• Social norms, self-expression in leisure
• Peer discussions of lifestyles and hobbies
Family and Family Relations
• Accusative case, vocabulary-building, unprefixed verbs of motion and cause-effect constructions
• Family members and family dynamics
• Household duties
• Family conflicts
• Peer communication on family issues
City, Suburbs, and Village
• Dative case, vocabulary-building, motion verbs with prefixes
• City and Suburb
• Choosing where to live
• Comparing city life vs. suburban life
• Family and ideal living situations
