Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module RUSS3031: Russian Language 4

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Russian)

RUSS3031: Russian Language 4

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Russian Language 2B (RUSS2012) OR Russian Language 2A (RUSS2191).

Corequisites

  • At least one additional level 3 module in Russian Studies

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The focus of this module is proficiency in oral and written Russian. It aims to develop in the student an ability to write and speak correct Russian in expressing ideas in a broad range of topical issues in historical and cultural context.
  • To encourage individual talents and proclivities and help students to achieve their maximum potential

Content

  • General thematic areas covered in this module include social, cultural political and economic specifics of contemporary Russia and its Post-Soviet neighbours. Students will be encouraged to produce comparative analysis of the discussed issues in Russia and in the UK / their native countries.
  • 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:
  • By the end of this module the students should gain:
  • detailed practical and analytical knowledge and effective understanding of the lexis, structures and registers of the Russian language (equivalent to CEFR level C1/C2).
  • the ability to demonstrate a reasoned awareness and a critical, comparative understanding of Russian culture and society
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to demonstrate:
  • the ability to communicate fluently and appropriately, maintaining a high degree of grammatical accuracy, in writing and in speech, with users of the Russian language (equivalent to CEFR level C1/C2).
  • the ability to understand and analyse written and spoken discourse in their target language, and to mediate between languages
  • experience of independent research, including the ability to identify, evaluate, and organise relevant primary and secondary cultural material.
Key Skills:
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to demonstrate:
  • the ability to identify, describe, and analyse problems of language use in general, and work out strategies for interpretation
  • the ability to communicate ideas and information orally and in writing, devise and sustain coherent and cogent arguments
  • the ability to employ the sophisticated reading skills they have acquired to gather, sift, process, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources (print-media, audio-visual, and electronic)
  • responsiveness to the discipline of working alone, and with others as part of a group
  • the ability to write and think under pressure and to manage time.
  • the ability to demonstrate a high degree of agility and flexibility in the work place, a skill derived from their experience of the wide diversity of techniques required to pursue the programme successfully.

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

  • Weekly seminars which give students practice in analysing and commenting on Russian original texts.
  • Independent learning will be structured around the preparation for seminars and research for the cultural context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

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

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assessment Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Continuous assessment of written skills 25% No
Written examination (in person) 2 hours 75% No
Component: Oral Examination Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Continuous assessment of oral skills 25% No
Oral examination (in person) 15 minutes 75% No

Formative Assessment:

regular language 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