Russian 5

Subject RUSS20006 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 4-hours: 2 x 1-hour seminars and 2 x 1-hour practicals per week.
Total Time Commitment:

4 contact hours/ week, 4 additional hours/ week. Total of 8 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Russian 4 or Russian Language and Culture 2B or equivalent.

Subject Code(s): RUSS20005 or 126-231 or 126-157

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects:

RUSS30001 Russian 5; RUSS30001 Russian Language and Culture 3A; 126-320 Russian Language and Culture 3A; 126-158 Advanced Russian A

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Subject Overview:

This subject is designed to provide students with a thorough exposure to pre-20th-century historical and social issues in Russia. Drawing on the dual meaning of the Russian word istorija (i.e., history and story), the theme-oriented instructional units emphasise personal and public stories in Russian history, while connecting oral narratives with written narratives. Students improve their ability to narrate, compare and contrast and establish causal relationships in speaking and writing. Through the integration of all modalities, this course promotes accuracy, fluency and complexity in language use. The development of advanced reading and writing is considered the primary means for expanding students’ language abilities at this stage of language instruction. In this theme-based subject, students gain background knowledge about public events in pre-20th-century Russian history and then read and view personal narratives about these events for the purposes of examining the intersection of the public and private spheres of contemporary Russian society. The texts themselves provide the textual, informational, and lexico-grammatical features that serve as the basis for developing students’ abilities as advanced learners of Russian.

Objectives:

By the end of this subject, students will:

  • have an understanding of pre-20th-century Russian history;
  • know how to approach authentic materials (television, news programs; videos) and use acquired knowledge to discuss and understand related issues;
  • produce paragraph-length dialogue, moving from the personal to the public narrative and to the formulation of argument and critical analysis in a formal setting;
  • possess knowledge of phrases necessary to engage in meaningful interactive discussion;
  • read non-fiction and literary texts independently;
  • improve their writing abilities through regular composition assignments
  • possess strategies for vocabulary building and reading
Assessment:
  • Regular written assignments (totalling 1500 words) throughout the semester [40%]
  • A reflective language learning journal throughout the semester [10%]
  • 2 hour written exam during the examination period [40%]
  • Class participation throughout the semester [10%]

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

  • Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 75% attendance.
  • All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day and in-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Prescribed Texts:
  • Solov’ev, V.M., Slovo o Rossii: Kniga dlia chteniia po russkoi istorii, 3rd ed., Russkii iazyk, Moscow, 2003.
  • Other texts will be provided by the department.
  • Students should also regularly consult a good history of Russia written in English, such as G. Hosking, Russia and the Russians: a History, Cambridge Mass., 2001.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • acquire more advanced skills necessary for future research (library, internet, cross-references etc.)
  • gain sophisticated analytical tools for understanding the system of language;
  • acquire foundation in intercultural communication practices;
  • acquire written communication skills through writing and seminar discussion;
  • show attention to detail through preparation and writing;
  • acquire time management and planning skills through managing and organising workloads for regular (weekly) assignment completion;
  • acquire public speaking skills through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations.
  • to develop the ability to reflect on their language learning process and on linguistic and cultural differences of the target language and cultures

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