Part one of an intensive course developing competence in Russian
for specific purposes. Engagement with professional materials
(lectures, texts, and videos) from a variety of academic
subfields to enhance command of lexicon and discourse in a range
of professions. Students read, discuss, and deliver
presentations on topics in professional Russian.
Athena Title
Tutorial Profession Russian I
Pre or Corequisite
RUSS 3012
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will critically interpret and examine the main message, supporting details, and implicit meanings in a variety of academic and professional texts and spoken discourse in Russian.
Students will engage in and sustain spontaneous spoken and written discussions on professional and academic topics, demonstrating control of various time frames and registers.
Students will construct and deliver well-organized, evidence-based oral and written presentations on both familiar and unfamiliar topics, effectively using appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures.
Students will compare and evaluate diverse cultural products, practices, and perspectives in Russian-speaking communities, explaining their interconnections and societal implications.
Students will demonstrate the ability to interact competently and adapt their communication strategies in diverse cultural and professional contexts, including both familiar and unfamiliar situations.
Topical Outline
Environmental Issues and Sustainability
• Environmental problems and human impact
• Green movements and ecological economics
• Grammar focus: Active and passive constructions
• Readings: Ecology and climate change in Russia
• Forum discussions and written assignments
• Project Stage 1: Topic selection
Politics and Diplomacy
• International relations and Russia’s global role
• Political communication and diplomacy
• Cybersecurity and international interventions
• Grammar focus: Complex sentence structures
• Readings on democracy, diplomacy, and political events
• Guest speaker discussions and reflections
• Project Stage 2–4: Event selection, discussions with partners, media analysis
Media and Journalism
• Role of media in Russian society
• Government influence on journalism
• Internet and independent media in Russia
• Grammar focus: Reported speech and indirect discourse
• Readings: Case studies on Russian and Western media
• Forum debates on media freedom
• Project Stage 5: Comparing media narratives
Labor Market and Economy
• Employment trends and challenges in Russia
• Unemployment and economic policies
• Business and entrepreneurship in Russia
• Grammar focus: Concessive clauses
• Readings: Russian labor market and workforce challenges
• Project Stage 6–7: Survey creation and data collection
Health, Lifestyle, and Society
• Public health issues in Russia
• The role of sports and fitness in Russian culture
• Stress and mental health awareness
• Grammar focus: Expressing cause and effect
• Readings: Russian healthcare system and societal trends
• Guest speaker discussions and presentations
• Project Stage 8: AI chatbot interaction and analysis
Final Project and Course Wrap-Up
• Student presentations and peer feedback
• Final reflections and discussion sessions
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
