Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2018-2019 (archived)

Module RUSS1161: RUSSIAN LANGUAGE 1A

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Russian)

RUSS1161: RUSSIAN LANGUAGE 1A

Type Open Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2018/19 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Grade A in Russian at A level or an equivalent qualification, subject to decision by the module’s language coordinator

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Russian Language 1B (RUSS1042); Russian Stage 1 (MLAN1181)

Aims

  • To consolidate skills in speaking and writing Russian grammatically and to enhance comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.

Content

  • The module is based on a selection of texts in differing registers, and on a grammar component developed in the department.
  • There are 5 strands:
  • Translation into Russian.
  • Translation from Russian.
  • Grammar.
  • Comprehension.
  • Oral with essays.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • To consolidate their knowledge of key grammatical points
  • To deepen their appreciation of how Russian is used differently in different contexts (both oral and written).
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To increase confidence, fluency and accuracy in both productive (spoken and written) and receptive (listening and reading) skills in Russian
  • To read Russian of various registers in a wide range of media
  • To develop their language skills independently.
Key Skills:
  • Improved communication and presentation skills
  • Critical skills (being able to read critically and discuss what has been read)
  • IT skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module is taught in three strands:
  • The grammar component will deal with a number of major areas of Russian Grammar and students will consolidate their grammar knowledge through a variety of grammar–based language exercises.
  • In the oral class a wide range of topics will be discussed, many of them concerned with Russian culture and students will develop their speaking skills through a range of oral activities (conversation, role-play, discussion and individual presentations)
  • In the comprehension /translation/ essay/ class students will develop their aural skill through related listening exercises and their reading and writing skills through text-based comprehension and writing exercises and the translation of texts from English into Russian.
  • Students are required to attend all classes
  • Students will be required to read before class and to prepare specific topics for discussion and presentation. They are also required to participate actively in class. These aspects of the course aim to encourage active language-learning while improving subject skills and key transferable skills
  • Summative assessment of reading/writing skills and of grammatical knowledge will take the form of an end-of-year examination.
  • Oral skills will be summatively assessed by means of activities carried out in class during the year, including group work.
  • Formative assessment for this module will include a combination of self-assessed, peer-assessed and tutor-assessed exercises during the year.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lecture 20 weekly 1 hour 20
Oral 21 weekly 1 hour 21
Grammar 20 weekly 1 hour 20
Preparation and Reading 139
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Oral Assessment Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
In-class continuous assessment of oral skills 100% 10-minute oral examination
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 75%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 3 hours 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

Regular written exercises.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University