126-158 Advanced Russian A

This subject involves advanced grammar, translation in both directions, composition, and close study of literary texts. By the end of the subject, students should demonstrate a very solid control of the grammatical system; demonstrate a fairly large active and passive vocabulary, sufficient for translating medium-difficulty texts (Russian to English) without a dictionary and difficult ones with a dictionary; be able to write and converse in Russian on relatively serious topics (eg. social or political issues); understand normal spoken Russian (eg. lectures, broadcast talks) on any general topic; and understand the content and literary structure of selected literary texts (by commenting and translating). Students should also develop a deeper knowledge of Russian society and culture.

• be able to study independently;

• be able to apply theoretical knowledge for practical purposes;

• be able to commit to memory large amounts of information;

• be able to understand and use more effectively the structure of their own language;

• be able to work and communicate in a group environment;

• be able to express ideas clearly in both written and oral form;

• be able to write essays with the appropriate structure and discourse style;

• be able to analyse literary texts.

A 2-hour exam 40% (at the end of the semester), a 10-minute oral exam 10% (at the end of the semester) and written assignments totalling 1000 words for second/third-year, 2000 words for 4th-year 50% (due throughout the semester).

• S Khavronina, Russian As We Speak it.
• P Davis & D Oprendek, Making Progress in Russian. (2nd ed) 1997.