Russian

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.

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

RUSS 20702: Third-Year Russian through Culture I

This course is intended for third-year students of Russian and covers various aspects of Russian grammar in context. It emphasizes the four communicative skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) in a culturally authentic context. Classes conducted in Russian; some aspects of grammar explained in English. Grammar sessions are held twice a week.

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

RUSS 21302/30102: Advanced Russian 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. It 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. 

(REES 21302 / REES 30102)

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

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 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.

Mark Baugher

RUSS 20802: Third-Year Russian through Culture II

This course is intended for third-year students of Russian and covers various aspects of Russian grammar in context. It emphasizes the four communicative skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) in a culturally authentic context. Classes conducted in Russian; some aspects of grammar explained in English. Grammar sessions are held twice a week.

RUSS 20702 or equivalent/consent of instructor | Valentina Pichugin

RUSS 21402/30202: Advanced Russian 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. It 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.

(REES 21402 / REES 30202)

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

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. | Mark Baugher

RUSS 20902/30902: Third-Year Russian through Culture III

This course is intended for third-year students of Russian and covers various aspects of Russian grammar in context. It emphasizes the four communicative skills (i.e., reading, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) in a culturally authentic context. Classes conducted in Russian; some aspects of grammar explained in English. Grammar sessions are held twice a week.

(REES 20902 / REES 30902)

Russian 20802 or consent of instructor. | Valentina Pichugin

RUSS 21502/30302: Advanced Russian III

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. It 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.

(REES 21502 / REES 30302)

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