Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module RUSS2191: Russian Language 2A

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Russian)

RUSS2191: Russian Language 2A

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Russian Language 1A (RUSS1161) or equivalent

Corequisites

  • At least one additional level 2 module in Russian Studies

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Russian Language 2B (RUSS2012); Russian Stage 2 (MLAN1491)

Aims

  • To raise students' awareness of issues relating to translation and to practise translation, by examining a range of texts in a variety of registers in Russian and rendering them in English in class and in formative assessments.
  • To develop skills in communication through discussion of a range of topics in Russian.
  • To prepare students for living abroad in terms of language, practical knowledge and cultural competence.

Content

  • There will be three contact hours per week, one oral class, one essay class and one seminar on translation.
  • Classes on translation will alternate between focussing on English to Russian and Russian to English.
  • The teaching and resources in this module reflect a commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity. It positions the richness of the (language area)-speaking world at the core of its syllabus.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • To extend students' knowledge of Russian vocabulary.
  • To consolidate translation skills.
  • To develop fluency in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students will have developed in their ability to translate Russian into fluent English through practical sessions on translation.
  • By the end of the module they should be able to translate unseen texts from Russian into English and English into Russian.
  • Students will also have developed in their ability to communicate clearly in spoken Russian, and to discuss a range of topics in Russian.
Key Skills:
  • Students will gain the ability to present information and/or construct an argument effectively in the target language

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

  • The module is taught by means of weekly practicals (devoted to translation of a range of sample texts from English into Russian and Russian into English), weekly essay classes and weekly oral classes.
  • Oral classes will provide the opportunity to broaden the students' vocabulary base by building on vocabulary encountered in the translation texts.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Translation 21 1 per week 1 hour 21
Practicals 21 1 per week 1 hour 21
Oral 21 1 per week 1 hour 21
Preparation and Reading 137
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Continuous Assessment of Written Skills 300 words 80%
Continuous Assessment of Oral Skills 10 minutes 20%
Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Examination (in person) 2 hours 100% Yes
Component: Oral Assessment Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Oral Examination (in person) 10 minutes 80% Yes

Formative Assessment:

Weekly translations/essays and oral preparation work.


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