Course syllabus

SEMESTER 1, 2017
RUSSIAN 200 Intermediate Russian 1

This course is run by reciprocal arrangement with the University of Canterbury: RUSS230-16S1 Russian Intermediate A

The text in this field can be downloaded here. 

Instructions to log-on to UC Learn course site. 

General information for UC parallel course (FYI; not required). 

Teaching Staff:           Evgenia Dovbysh (U. Canterbury)

                               Email: evgenia.dovbysh@canterbury.ac.nz

 Auckland convenor: Dr. Mark Swift

                               Arts 2 (207) 505.

                               Office Hrs. 12.00–1.00 Mon., Wed., Thurs. or by appointment

                               m.swift@auckland.ac.nz ph. 373-7599 ext. 85384

 Auckland Tutor: Alex Zadoyanov

                           Office Hrs. 12.30-1.30pm on 16 and 30 March, 13 April, 25 May, 8 and 22 June

                           Arts 2 (207) 313C                           

                           a.zadoyanov@auckland.ac.nz

Meeting Times:                RUSSIAN 200 meets in two two-hour blocks weekly:

                                    11.00–1.00 Tuesday in Arts 1 (206) 510 and

                                    2.00–4.00 Thursday in Marae (253) 103.

 

Timetable for Auckland University students:

Semester week	Week beginning	Teaching  week (see LEARN)	Video conference Tuesdays 11:00-12:00
10	6 March	Неделя 1	7 March
11	13 March	Неделя 2	14 March
12	20 March	Неделя 3	21 March
13	27 March	Неделя 4	28 March
14	3 April	Неделя 5	4 April
15	10 April	Неделя A	11 April class without video link
16	17 April	break
17	24 April	break
18	1 May	Неделя 6	2 May
19	8 May	Неделя 7	9 May
20	15 May	Неделя 8	16 May
21	22 May	Неделя 9	23 May
22	29 May	Неделя 10	30 May
23	5 June	Неделя Б	6 June class without video link

 Weekly pattern:

The first hour Tuesday is delivered via video link by the course organiser Evgenia Dovbysh; Alex Zadoyanov takes the second hour Tuesday and Mark Swift the two-hour session on Thursdays. To maintain our four teaching hours weekly, this usual pattern will be amended when the UoA and UC teaching weeks are out of sync and / or because of staff availability.  

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is the first of two intermediate Russian language courses (the other is RUSSIAN 201 in Semester 2). It aims to extend vocabulary and the use of grammatical structures so that students will be able to discuss and write about simple topics in Russian. It further develops students’ reading, listening, and speaking skills.

Expectations

Students in this course are expected to attend all tutorial-type sessions. Languages are learned by doing, and the tutorial-style sessions in this course are designed to create an atmosphere in which students can practice their language skills. If you do not attend regularly and do not keep up with the work, you not only hinder your own progress, but also hold back other students.

Learning Outcomes

As a student in this course you will acquire skills in all four areas of the language (reading, writing, speaking and listening).  By the end of the course you should be able to read and translate adapted texts and compose short essays on the topics covered in the course. Students’ listening comprehension should reach a level where you will understand the slow speech of a native speaker and you will be able to speak on a variety of topics covered within the course. Completion of the full-year course (RUSSIAN 201 in Semester 2) provides the student with sufficient foundation for further mastery of the language independently (through reading, listening to podcasts, interacting with native speakers, etc.) 

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities include being able to understand the study and work required and what technologies you will be expected to use in the online environment. We will engage with you, offer help, and ask for and obtain your feedback so that we can make your learning environment as positive and enjoyable as it can be. Please assist us by giving constructive feedback on the course, when we ask for your views, and let us know if you have any concerns or problems with the course.

TEXTS AND MATERIALS

The required textbook for the course is Robin, Richard M. et al; Golosa: a basic course in Russian: Book 2; Boston: Pearson. This text (regrettably dear) is available at UBS and is richly supported with digital audio and video available at U. Canterbury’s Learn site:  www.learn.canterbury.ac.nz U. Auckland students follow instructions here for logging onto Learn. Some course materials are also posted on the U. Auckland Canvas site for the course and are available on the author’s site (simply Google “Golosa” and you’ll get there).

 The full Course Outline is available on LEARN (only for students enrolled in this course).

Other material, which may be helpful, can be found in the Library Subject Guides: http://canterbury.libguides.com/

ASSESSMENT U. Auckland; the course is internally assessed (no final exam):

Type of assessment                     number         weighting %        

Homework assignments                  weekly         40% (best 8 of 10 @ 5% each)                                               

Vocabulary & Grammar quizzes          2              10% (2 @ 5% each)

Written tests                                    2               30% (2 @ 15% each)               

Oral test                                          1               10%                    

On-line quizzes                               8-10          10% (on UC Learn course site)

Please note: This assessment scheme is not identical to that of the UC course – I’ve increased the weighting of the weekly homework and reduced the weighting of the quizzes and tests (as is our prerogative when we do all marking and enter marks at this end. MS)

Brief description of assessment items

• Homework assignments: As a rule these weekly assignments are due on Tuesdays and are accepted late with an escalating penalty of 10% per class session (–10% if submitted Thursday; –20% if submitted the following Tuesday, etc.). Weekly assignments can be submitted in class without a cover sheet, but if submitted in the appropriate slot by the Arts 1 Reception they must have a Cover Sheet generated from under that heading on the Canvas.
• The written tests and in-class quizzes cover material studied during the course. The types of tasks and what to expect on these will be posted together with their dates.
• The oral test conducted at the end of the semester assesses your use of spoken Russian in monologues or dialogues as rehearsed during the course.
• The on-line quizzes are on U. Canterbury’s Learn site. You do these with your unique log-on and at the end of the semester Evgenia Dovbysh sends me your mark, which I enter in Canvas.

ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES, EXTENSIONS, LATE PENATIES

Requests for extensions or to make-up a missed assessment are granted only for special circumstances beyond your control (illness, bereavement, or accident). Such requests must be made in advance (when possible) and with supporting documentation (e.g., a dated doctor’s note, obituary, or contact from counselling services). See CLL policy for details.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

If you are entitled to special conditions for assessments (for example, extra time or a private room for tests), please alert the course convenor and initiate arrangements in advance with Disability Services.

AEGROTAT AND COMPASSIONATE CONSIDERATION

These regulations usually apply to assessments like tests and exams sat at a specified time and which count for 10% or more marks for the course. If you miss such an assessment or complete one in an impaired state because of illness or injury, you should contact <aegrotats@auckland.ac.nz>