Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module RUSS2012: Russian Language 2B

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Russian)

RUSS2012: Russian Language 2B

Type Open Level 2 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Russian Language 1B (RUSS1042) or equivalent.

Corequisites

  • At least one additional level 2 module in Russian Studies

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Russian Language 2A (RUSS2191)

Aims

  • To further develop linguistic skills acquired at Level 1 across the full range of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
  • To prepare students for living abroad in terms of language, practical knowledge, and cultural competence.

Content

  • Weekly sessions devoted to the following:
  • Grammar
  • Translation from Russian into English and comprehension (reading)
  • Translation from English into Russian
  • Audio-Visual Comprehension (listening)
  • Oral (speaking)
  • Essay (writing)
  • The teaching and resources in this module reflect a commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity. It positions the richness of the Russian-speaking world at the core of its syllabus.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students will extend their basic vocabulary to a level commensurate with Level 2 study and complete the process of familiarisation with more complex grammatical structures, while at the same time being exposed to a greater diversity of register in the texts with which they are working.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students will develop skills in translation (from Russian into English and English into Russian), in producing more sophisticated spoken and written Russian, and in processing aural and visual material in the target language.
Key Skills:
  • Students will begin to develop the ability to work independently within a prescribed framework and across a range of differentiated tasks. On completion of the course, students will be able to present a clear argument in the target language in both oral and written form.
  • 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 course involves highly differentiated modes of teaching, appropriate to the specific skills being developed.
  • Plenary informal grammar lectures will set the context for a series of skills-based smaller-group grammar activities, followed by sessions focused on one of the five particular skills of reading, translation, writing, speaking and listening.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Grammar 21 1 Weekly 1 hour 21
Excercises 21 1 Weekly 1 hour 21
Translation Eng to Russ 21 1 Weekly 1 hour 21
Translation Russ to Eng 10 1 Fortnightly 1 hour 10
Audio-visual 11 1 Fortnightly 1 hour 11
Oral 21 1 Weekly 1 hour 21
Essay 21 1 Weekly 1 hour 21
Preparation and Reading 274
Total 400

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 1:Translation into English, Grammar (on campus) 2 hours 50% Yes
Written examination 2: Translation English into Russian, Essay (on campus) 2 hours 50% Yes
Component: Oral Assessment Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Oral examination (on campus) 10 minutes 80% Yes

Formative Assessment:

Regular translations/essays / grammar exercises 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