This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module RUSS3031: Russian Language 4
Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Russian)
RUSS3031: Russian Language 4
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 3 | 20 | Available in 2025/2026 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
- LA01: Liberal Arts
- LA02: Liberal Arts (with Year Abroad)
- LA03: Liberal Arts (with Placement Year)
- LMV0: Combined Honours in Social Sciences
- LMVA: Combined Honours in Social Sciences (with Year Abroad)
- LMVP: Combined Honours in Social Sciences (with Placement Year)
- R002: Modern Languages and Cultures [inc. Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish] (with YA)
- RV91: Modern European Languages and History
- RV92: Modern European Languages and History (with Year Abroad)
- T102: Chinese Studies (with Year Abroad)
- T202: Japanese Studies (with Year Abroad)
Pre-requisites
- Russian Language 2B (RUSS2012) OR Russian Language 2A (RUSS2191).
Corequisites
- At least one additional level 3 module in Russian Studies
Excluded Combinations
- 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 | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Classes | 20 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 20 | Yes |
| Oral Classes | 20 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 20 | Yes |
| Translation Classes | 20 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 20 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 140 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 60% | Continuous assessment of written skills | 25% | ||
| Written examination (in person) | 2 hours | 75% | |||
| Oral Examination | 40% | Continuous assessment of oral skills | 25% | ||
| Oral examination (in person) | 15 minutes | 75% |
Formative Assessment
regular language work
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.