TEXT: Benjamin Rifkin, Grammatika v kontekste: Russian Grammar in Literary Contexts. The set consists of a textbook and a workbook. The book is currently out of print but is available as a course packet from the SupeStore. The audio materials are available via the eLearning shell for this course.

It is also highly recommended that you acquire a high-quality Russian-English dictionary: A. I. Smirnitskii, Russian-English Dictionary (Russko-angliiskii slovar’); The Oxford Russian Dictionary; etc. A quality dictionary should contain at least 50,000 entries.

DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the attainment of the structures and vocabulary necessary for advanced expression in Russian. The course emphasizes the composition of essays in Russian on a variety of topics.

PREREQUISITE: Rus 202 or permission of the instructor.

The material covered in Rus 361 consists of the chapters 1-13 of Grammatika v kontekste. Rus 361 is designed to strengthen the various skills of language learning, especially reading and writing. The course integrates language learning with interactive tasks. At the end of the semester the student will:

            1) Achieve knowledge of Russian vocabulary at the mid-advanced level.

2) Achieve knowledge of Russian grammar at the mid-advanced level.

3) Achieve active use of the language at the mid-advanced level.

4) Demonstrate an advanced understanding of Russian culture.

5) Demonstrate the ability to communicate well in Russian with native speakers and classmates on the topic covered in this class.

6) Read and understand advanced passages in Russian related to chapter topics and vocabulary.

7) Write advanced passages in Russian on the chapter topics and vocabulary covered in class.

8) The student will become familiar with some of the classic poems/passages of Russian literature in the Russian original.

REQUIREMENTS:

Testing: 1. There will be a total of four exams plus a final exam. There will be NO make-up exams except in very rare circumstances. If you have a conflict with a test date and wish to take the exam at another time, you may do so if you inform the instructor in a timely manner.

Exam on Units1-4:      Friday, Sep. 21

Exam on Units 5-7:     Wednesday, Oct. 17

Exam on Units 8-9:     Monday, Nov. 5

Exam on Units 10-12: Friday, Nov. 30

Comprehensive Final Exam: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 11:30AM-2:00PM

2. There will be regular quizzes on the vocabulary and grammatical points. All quizzes will be announced at least one day in advance and are required. There will be no make-ups except in very rare circumstances. However, if you have a conflict with a quiz date and wish to take it at another time, you may do so if you inform the instructor in a timely manner. Quizzes will be graded on a 100-point scale. If you miss a quiz you will receive a zero. You are allowed to drop your two lowest quiz grades.

Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly and will be graded on a 100-point scale. If you forget to bring your homework to class, you have until 5:00PM on the day it is due to place it in my mailbox in B. B. Comer 200. Any homework turned in late will be penalized by the automatic reduction of at least 10 points. You are allowed to drop your three lowest homework grades.

Attendance: Good attendance is essential for learning a language. Attendance is required, will be recorded and will be a significant component of your grade. If for some reason you miss class, be sure to check with me or another student as to what you have missed--scheduling of quizzes, etc. That is your responsibility. 

GRADING:

Exams: 30%
Final Exam: 20%
Quizzes: 15%
Homework and Class Performance: 20%
Attendance: 15%

Course grades are given on the plus/minus system. For a full explanation see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Academic misconduct policy:

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.

The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

DISABILITY STATEMENT:

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

EMERGENCY STATEMENT:

Instructor Homepage

Advanced Russian Grammar and Composition I Course Page

Course Schedule

Andrew M. Drozd
adrozd@bama.ua.edu
The University of Alabama
Last Update: 8/21/12