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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures : European Languages and Cultures - Russian Studies

Undergraduate Course: Russian Language 2A (ELCR08009)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Literatures, Languages and Cultures CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course is aimed at ex-beginners who have completed Russian Studies 1A or Foundation Russian 1 and 2 and already have achieved the basic grounding provided by the two beginners' Russian language courses. It is also suitable for visiting students who have achieved a level of Russian equivalent to the CEFR level A2 The course aims to develop students' competence in oral and written Russian to intermediate level, broadening their vocabulary and awareness of grammatical structures (with particular emphasis on verb conjugation and verbs of motion) and stimulating their interest in Russian culture through text-based written work.
Course description The course will build on the foundations laid out in Russian Studies 1A and develop core linguistic skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing to an intermediate level. Students will have four components per week, each working on specific set of language skills. In the Oral class, students work in small groups, engaging in conversation, discussion, role play and listening or watching videos. In the Grammar class, the syllabus concentrates on the Russian verb as students explore complex topics, including irregular forms, aspect, mood and verbs of motion. The Translation/Writing in Russian class involves analysing and translating slightly adapted literary extracts and media texts and introduces elements of translation theory. Finally, the Fast Forward class brings all the elements of the course together in a range of communicative activities, including music and games. All course components are structured around a number of set topics, allowing students to focus on particular areas of vocabulary and grammar. A large part of the course is devoted to intensive vocabulary building, in order to give students a firm base for their language use during the year abroad (the domains in focus include culture, health, etc).
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Russian Studies 1A (ELCR08005) OR Foundation Russian Language 2 (ELCR07003)
Co-requisites Students MUST also take: Transnational Russian Culture (ELCR08010) OR The Golden Age of Russian Literature (ELCR08011)
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesIt is also suitable for visiting students who have achieved a level of Russian equivalent to the CEFR level A2. Entry to any language course above introductory level is subject to a language test by the relevant subject area on arrival and at the discretion of the course organiser.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  23
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 80, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 114 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 40 %, Coursework 60 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 60% coursework, 40% written exam
Feedback Grammar, Fast Forward, Translation/Writing in Russian:
Students are required to submit regular work for formative assessment in preparation for summative in-class assessments at the end of each semester.

Oral;
Students are invited to submit written notes for presentations in advance to the tutor to receive formative feedback, in preparation for the Oral in-class assessment, for which students receive a summative grade and completed feedback form with clear marking descriptors.

Language Project;
Students are invited to submit their proposals in advance and discuss them with the tutor(s). This will help them to reflect on and improve their work before the final submission. After submission, they will receive a summative grade and completed feedback form with clear marking descriptors.

Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)Russian Language 2A:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Understand the main ideas of simple speech in standardised Russian on concrete and abstract topics, and read, understand and comment in Russian on a range of adapted literary texts and media materials
  2. Write simply in Russian on a number of concrete and abstract topics, mastering a range of syntactical structures and a sound, basic vocabulary relating to everyday topics, and expressing points of view, ideas or feelings clearly and correctly.
  3. Conduct short, simple Russian conversations, expressing points of view, ideas or feelings clearly and correctly; give short prepared presentations /performances in Russian.
  4. Translate between Russian and English, displaying an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between Russian and English syntax and vocabulary.
  5. Demonstrate a proven ability to carry out autonomous study and to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team.
Reading List
The course is language based, with materials supplied online, sourced from contemporary media and literary sources.

General reference for independent work:
Heather Avery/Steven Cartwright - The First Thousand Russian Words (Usborne, 2013)
Thomas Beyer, "501 Russian Verbs" (2nd edn) Barron's foreign language guides, 2009
Shamil Khairov, J Dunn, "Modern Russian Grammar: A Practical Guide" (Routledge 2008)
Terence Wade, "A Comprehensive Russian Grammar", Blackwell Reference Grammars
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Graduates will be able to use Russian effectively to a lower intermediate level (equivalent to CEFR level B1) , using oral, written and visual means.
Graduates will be able to make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate and communicate understanding.
Graduates will be search for evaluate and use information to increase understanding, exercise critical judgement, and reflect on their learning experience.
Graduates will be open to new and creative ways of learning and disseminating information.
Graduates will have the confidence to make decisions based on their own understanding and work effectively on their own and with others.
KeywordsRussian,grammar,vocabulary,translation,communication
Contacts
Course organiserDr Ekaterina Popova
Tel:
Email: Ekaterina.Popova@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Hope Hamilton
Tel: (0131 6)50 4167
Email: hope.hamilton@ed.ac.uk
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