Russian

2022-2023 Course Offerings

Autumn

RUSS 10103 First-Year Russian I

Russian 10103 is the first quarter (of a three-quarter sequence) of first-year Russian, which introduces students to the spoken and written modern language. This course emphasizes communicative practices in authentic cultural contexts, for those who would like to speak Russian or use the language for reading and research.  Cultural audio-visual materials and use of Russian websites help to reinforce the link between language and culture. This yearlong course prepares students for the College Language Competency Exam, for continued study of Russian in second-year courses, and for study or travel abroad in Russian-speaking countries. Mandatory conversation/ drill sessions are held twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Erik Houle, Maria Yakubovich, Mark Baugher

RUSS 20103 Second-Year Russian I

This is a second-year Russian course, a continuation of RUSS 10103-10203-10303, summer RUSS 10003-10006, or equivalent coursework elsewhere. This course focuses on spoken and written contemporary standard Russian, emphasizing communicative practice in authentic cultural contexts, for those who would like to speak Russian or use the language for reading and research.  Cultural audio-visual materials and use of Russian websites help to reinforce the link between language and culture. It also includes review and amplification of grammar, practice in reading, elementary composition, and speaking and comprehension. Systematic study of word formation and other strategies are taught to help free students from excessive dependence on the dictionary and develop confidence in reading rather than translating. Readings are selected to help provide historical and cultural background. Mandatory conversation sessions are held twice a week.

Erik Houle, Mark Baugher

RUSS 21600 Russian for Heritage Learners

This course examines the major aspects of Russian grammar and stylistics essential for heritage learners. Students engage in close readings and discussions of short stories by classic and contemporary Russian authors (e.g., Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Platonov, Bulgakov, Erofeev, Tolstaya), with special emphasis on their linguistic and stylistic differences. All work in Russian.

Ability to speak Russian fluently required; formal training in Russian not required. 

Maria Yakubovich

Not offered Aut 2022 (every other year)

RUSS 20702 : Third-Year Russian through Culture I

This course, which is intended for third-year students of Russian, covers various aspects of Russian grammar in context and emphasizes the four communicative skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) in a culturally authentic context. Excerpts from popular Soviet/Russian films and clips from Russian television news reports are shown and discussed in class. Classes conducted in Russian; some aspects of grammar explained in English. Drill practice is held twice a week.

RUSS 20300 (two years of Russian) or equivalent | Valentina Pichugin

RUSS 21302 /30102 Advanced Russian through Media I

This is a three-quarter sequence designed for fourth- and fifth-year students of Russian. It is also suitable for native speakers of Russian. This sequence covers various aspects of advanced Russian stylistics and discourse grammar in context. This sequence emphasizes the four communicative skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing in a culturally authentic context. It builds transcultural competence by expanding students' knowledge of the language, culture, history, and daily lives of the Russian-speaking people. Vocabulary building is strongly emphasized. We add to the existing skills and develop our abilities to analyze increasingly complex texts for their meaning: to identify various styles and registers of the Russian language and to provide their neutral equivalents in standard Russian. We also work on developing our abilities to paraphrase, narrate, describe, support opinions, hypothesize, discuss abstract topics, and handle linguistically unfamiliar situations (in spoken and written format). Classes conducted in Russian. Course-specific grammar issues are covered during drill sessions (weekly) and office hours (by appointment). Oral Proficiency Interviews are conducted in the beginning and the end of the course (Autumn and Spring Quarters). Prerequisite(s): Four years of Russian, or equivalent, or consent of instructor. (REES 21302 / REES 30102 )

Four years of Russian, or equivalent, or consent of instructor | Valentina Pichugin

Winter

RUSS 10203 First-Year Russian II

This is the continuation of a first-year Russian course and introduces students to spoken and written modern Russian. This course emphasizes communicative practices in authentic cultural contexts, for those who would like to speak Russian or use the language for reading and research.  Cultural audio-visual materials and use of Russian websites help to reinforce the link between language and culture. It also includes review and amplification of grammar, practice in reading, elementary composition, and speaking and comprehension. Systematic study of word formation and other strategies are taught to help free students from excessive dependence on the dictionary and develop confidence in reading rather than translating. Readings are selected to help provide historical and cultural background. This yearlong course prepares students for the College Language Competency Exam, for continued study of Russian in second-year courses, and for study or travel abroad in Russian-speaking countries. Mandatory conversation/ drill sessions are held twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Erik Houle, Maria Yakubovich, Mark Baugher

RUSS 10500 Russian through Pushkin II

This literary and linguistic approach to Russian allows students to learn the language by engaging classic Russian poetic texts (e.g., Pushkin’s The Bronze Horseman), as well as excerpts from Eugene Onegin and selections from Pushkin’s shorter poems and prose works. Although the focus is on reading Russian, all four major communicative skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) are stressed, preparing students for the College Language Competency Exam and for continued study of Russian in second-year courses. Conversation practice is held twice a week.

Not open to students who have taken RUSS 10100-10200-10300. Mark Baugher

RUSS 20203 Second-Year Russian II

This is a second-year Russian course, a continuation of RUSS 20103 or equivalent coursework elsewhere. This course focuses on spoken and written contemporary standard Russian, emphasizing communicative practice in authentic cultural contexts, for those who would like to speak Russian or use the language for reading and research.  Cultural audio-visual materials and use of Russian websites help to reinforce the link between language and culture. It also includes review and amplification of grammar, practice in reading, elementary composition, and speaking and comprehension. Systematic study of word formation and other strategies are taught to help free students from excessive dependence on the dictionary and develop confidence in reading rather than translating. Readings are selected to help provide historical and cultural background. Mandatory conversation sessions are held twice a week.

Erik Houle, Mark Baugher

RUSS 20902 Third-Year Russian through Culture II

This course, which is intended for third-year students of Russian, covers various aspects of Russian grammar in context and emphasizes the four communicative skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) in a culturally authentic context. Excerpts from popular Soviet/Russian films and clips from Russian television news reports are shown and discussed in class. Classes conducted in Russian; some aspects of grammar explained in English. Drill practice is held twice a week.

Valentina Pichugin

RUSS 21402 /30202 Advanced Russian through Media II

This is a three-quarter sequence designed for fourth- and fifth-year students of Russian. It is also suitable for native speakers of Russian. This sequence covers various aspects of advanced Russian stylistics and discourse grammar in context. This sequence emphasizes the four communicative skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing in a culturally authentic context. It builds transcultural competence by expanding students' knowledge of the language, culture, history, and daily lives of the Russian-speaking people. Vocabulary building is strongly emphasized. We add to the existing skills and develop our abilities to analyze increasingly complex texts for their meaning: to identify various styles and registers of the Russian language and to provide their neutral equivalents in standard Russian. We also work on developing our abilities to paraphrase, narrate, describe, support opinions, hypothesize, discuss abstract topics, and handle linguistically unfamiliar situations (in spoken and written format).

Classes conducted in Russian. Course-specific grammar issues are covered during drill sessions (weekly) and office hours (by appointment). Oral Proficiency Interviews are conducted in the beginning and the end of the course (Autumn and Spring Quarters). (REES 21402 / REES 30202)

Four years of Russian, or equivalent, or consent of instructor.  Valentina Pichugin

Spring

RUSS 10303 First-Year Russian III

This is a first-year Russian course, introducing students to spoken and written modern Russian. This course emphasizes communicative practices in authentic cultural contexts, for those who would like to speak Russian or use the language for reading and research.  Cultural audio-visual materials and use of Russian websites help to reinforce the link between language and culture. It also includes review and amplification of grammar, practice in reading, elementary composition, and speaking and comprehension. Systematic study of word formation and other strategies are taught to help free students from excessive dependence on the dictionary and develop confidence in reading rather than translating. Readings are selected to help provide historical and cultural background. Mandatory conversation sessions are held twice a week. Students completing this sequence will be prepared to take the College Language Competency Exam,  2nd Year Russian (RUSS 20103) at the University of Chicago in the following fall quarter, or a 2nd Year Russian course over the summer at another institution, and/or to participate in a study abroad program where Russian is spoken.

Class meets Monday through Friday; Tuesday and Thursday meetings will be arranged with the instructor. | Erik Houle, Maria Yakubovich, Mark Baugher

RUSS 20303 Second-Year Russian III

This is the final quarter of the Second-Year Russian course. RUSS 20303 focuses on spoken and written contemporary standard Russian, emphasizing communicative practice in authentic cultural contexts, for those who would like to speak Russian or use the language for reading and research.  Cultural audio-visual materials and use of Russian websites help to reinforce the link between language and culture. It also includes review and amplification of grammar, practice in reading, elementary composition, and speaking and comprehension. Systematic study of word formation and other strategies are taught to help free students from excessive dependence on the dictionary and develop confidence in reading rather than translating. Readings are selected to help provide historical and cultural background. Mandatory conversation sessions are held twice a week. Students successfully completing RUSS 20303 will achieve intermediate mid proficiency or better in Russian in all modalities. Students completing this sequence will be prepared to take 3rd-Year Russian (RUSS 20700) at the University of Chicago in the following fall quarter, 3rd-Year Russian over the summer at another institution, and/or to participate in a study abroad program where Russian is spoken.

Class meets Monday through Friday; Tuesday and Thursday meetings will be arranged with the instructor. | Erik Houle, Mark Baugher

RUSS 20902 Third-Year Russian through Culture III

This course, which is intended for third-year students of Russian, covers various aspects of Russian grammar in context and emphasizes the four communicative skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) in a culturally authentic context. Excerpts from popular Soviet/Russian films and clips from Russian television news reports are shown and discussed in class. Classes conducted in Russian; some aspects of grammar explained in English. Drill practice is held twice a week. (REES 20902)

Russian 20701 or consent of instructor. Drill sessions to be arranged. | Valentina Pichugin

RUSS 21502 /30302 Adv Russian Through Media-III

This course, which is designed for fifth-year students of Russian, covers various aspects of Russian stylistics and discourse grammar in context. It emphasizes the four communicative skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) in culturally authentic context. Clips from Russian/Soviet films and television news reports are shown and discussed in class. Classes conducted in Russian. Conversation practice is held twice a week. (REES 21502 / REES 30302)

Valentina Pichugin