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RUSS3031: Russian Language 4

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Modern Languages and Cultures (Russian)

Prerequisites

  • Russian Language 2B (RUSS2012) OR Russian Language 2A (RUSS2191).

Corequisites

  • At least one additional level 3 module in Russian Studies

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The focus of this module is proficiency in oral and written Russian. It aims to develop in the student an ability to write and speak correct Russian in expressing ideas in a broad range of topical issues in historical and cultural context.
  • To encourage individual talents and proclivities and help students to achieve their maximum potential

Content

  • General thematic areas covered in this module include social, cultural political and economic specifics of contemporary Russia and its Post-Soviet neighbours. Students will be encouraged to produce comparative analysis of the discussed issues in Russia and in the UK / their native countries.
  • The teaching and resources in this module reflect a commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity. It positions the richness of the (language area)-speaking world at the core of its syllabus.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • By the end of this module the students should gain:
  • detailed practical and analytical knowledge and effective understanding of the lexis, structures and registers of the Russian language (equivalent to CEFR level C1/C2).
  • the ability to demonstrate a reasoned awareness and a critical, comparative understanding of Russian culture and society

Subject-specific Skills:

  • By the end of this module the students should be able to demonstrate:
  • the ability to communicate fluently and appropriately, maintaining a high degree of grammatical accuracy, in writing and in speech, with users of the Russian language (equivalent to CEFR level C1/C2).
  • the ability to understand and analyse written and spoken discourse in their target language, and to mediate between languages
  • experience of independent research, including the ability to identify, evaluate, and organise relevant primary and secondary cultural material.

Key Skills:

  • By the end of this module the students should be able to demonstrate:
  • the ability to identify, describe, and analyse problems of language use in general, and work out strategies for interpretation
  • the ability to communicate ideas and information orally and in writing, devise and sustain coherent and cogent arguments
  • the ability to employ the sophisticated reading skills they have acquired to gather, sift, process, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources (print-media, audio-visual, and electronic)
  • responsiveness to the discipline of working alone, and with others as part of a group
  • the ability to write and think under pressure and to manage time.
  • the ability to demonstrate a high degree of agility and flexibility in the work place, a skill derived from their experience of the wide diversity of techniques required to pursue the programme successfully.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Weekly seminars which give students practice in analysing and commenting on Russian original texts.
  • Independent learning will be structured around the preparation for seminars and research for the cultural context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Essay Classes211 per week1 hour21Yes
Oral Classes211 per week1 hour21Yes
Translation Classes211 per week1 hour21Yes
Preparation and Reading137 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Written AssessmentComponent Weighting: 60%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Continuous assessment of written skills25No
Written examination (in person)2 hours75No
Component: Oral ExaminationComponent Weighting: 40%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Continuous assessment of oral skills25No
Oral examination (in person)15 minutes75No

Formative Assessment

regular language work

More information

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