Добро пожаловать на Русский язык 201!
Welcome to Russian 201!
Professor: Kristin Bidoshi
Phone: 388-7105
E-Mail: bidoshik@union.edu
Course Description (описание курса):
This course will develop further the basics of speaking, understanding, reading and writing in Russian. The primary goal of this course is to improve your analytic speaking abilities by teaching you Russian vocabulary and grammar and by providing multiple opportunities to practice the language with your classmates, instructor, and on your own. You will develop a greater sense of the structure of the language through the aid of authentic materials and communicative exercises.
Although our focus is primarily on the Russian language, another important aspect of the course is relating the language to Russian literature, culture, politics and social life.
Course Grades (оценки):
There will be vocabulary quizzes (if I feel we need them), unit tests (about every other week), a final exam, and possibly a mid-term. Class participation, including attendance, meeting with Lena on a weekly basis, and written homework also figure into your final grade. The grades will be calculated based on the following percentages:
Unit Tests (app. 5) 50%
Final Exam (in-class) 10%
Participation, homework, and quizzes 40%
Your final percentage will determine your final grade, as follows:
93-100 A 78-79 C+
90-92 A- 73-77 C
88-89 B+ 70-72 C-
83-87 B 68-69 D+
80-82 B- 65-67 D
64 & below = E
Participation (посещаeмость):
Because language skills must be developed through regular interaction in the language, class attendance is mandatory. I will keep a DAILY attendance record. I will also note each day who has come to class prepared and who has not (you will get a class participation grade for each day). If you miss more three class periods, your final letter grade will be lowered by half a letter. Please be aware that this policy includes meetings with Lena (she will also take attendance every class and report it to me). For example, if you earn an A for the course but have missed three times, your final grade for the course will be lowered to an A-. Each additional time you are absent your grade will go down half-a-letter. In the event that you know in advance that you must miss a class or a meeting with Lena, it makes good sense to tell me at least a day in advance (unless you’re sick, of course). You can always leave a phone message for me or contact me via e-mail. If it’s a good-enough reason, I may not count it as one of your absences, but this is only if you notify me in advance. If you’re sick you should bring a signed note from Health Services as soon as you have recovered.
Daily Grades:
To reiterate what was mentioned above, each day I assign a grade for participation. These grades are intended to encourage steady, consistent effort. Class attendance and diligence in completing homework assignments are the most important components of studying Russian. Experience shows that by putting in consistent effort, most students earn daily grades in the 90s and learn a lot of Russian in the process.
Textbook (учебник) and Learning Materials
Live From Russia Vol. 2 (Second Edition) Textbook
Live From Russia Vol. 2 (Second Edition) Workbook
Live From Russia Vol. 2 (Second Edition) CDs (DVD)
We will also be using material from the website below
www.russnet.org
Homework (домашние задания):
You will have required written and oral homework every night as a way of cementing what's being done orally in class. You are responsible for your own learning. Do your homework daily and be prepared to turn it in at the beginning of each class. Make every effort to keep up -- it's much easier than trying to catch up! I will knock off half-a-grade for each day an assignment is late and may choose not to accept late assignments (with late assignments you’re “on your own” – I will explain this in class). Also, as a way to improve your class participation/homework grade, you can correct any previous assignment and turn it in to get more points (usually a half grade up from what you originally received). You must, however, hand it in within a week of when the assignment was due. This practice has always been successful in the past, but do me a favor, please clearly indicate the assignment you are re-doing, including the page(s) where it is found in the workbook or the name of the assignment if not in the workbook.
Plagiarism (плагиат):
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Plagiarism in Russian class is defined as using on-line translators and/or getting a Russian native-speaker or other student or any other person to do the work for you (including telling you what to write). After over 10 years of teaching Russian, I can tell when someone has used an on-line translator. The grammar is usually terrible and/or the words used are overly-sophisticated and usually completely inappropriate to the context (or the grammar is terrible in ways the student could have never have thought-up himself/herself).
Instances of plagiarism, when discovered, will be followed by a meeting with the student, professor, and Dean of Studies and the student will get a 0 for that assignment. It’s ok to seek the help of native speakers (particularly our TA), but the native speaker is there to guide you to the right answers, and not do the assignment for you. Our TA will have received instruction in how to properly assist you.
A note on dictionaries: Similar to the abovementioned online translators, dictionaries, while often helpful, have one big problem; they provide little or no context. Dictionaries are useful for technical words, but it is usually a good idea to go back and think about what you already know when expressing yourself about everyday topics.
Students with disabilities can approach me in any way they feel comfortable: after class or at my office (if not during office hours, please notify me in advance). The student should have his/her accommodation letter in hand for me to verify.
Behavior in the classroom (поведение во время занятий):
No cell-phone use, texting, internet surfing, emailing, or online social networking is permitted during class! You will be asked to leave the class and may get a zero for that class if this behavior occurs (if you are going to need to take an emergency phone call, you need to let me know in advance). I don’t mind food or beverages in the classroom, but please use discretion (do not bring your entire bacon-egg-n-cheese macmanwich into the classroom, that’s just rude to the others). Whatever it is, it should not impair your ability to speak and take part in oral exercises. If so, I’ll ask you to put it away.
The 80% Minimum:
Language study is cumulative. If you do not know what is in Lesson #1, you really cannot go on to Lesson #2. (In contrast, you can open up a history text in the middle and start reading with relatively full comprehension). Thus, I consider 80% to be the minimum mastery level you should achieve to enable you to continue. Less than 80% puts you in the "C" range or below; while passing, it is not a very solid foundation to build on. So, if on a test you achieve less than 80%, you must see me during office hours to go over the mistakes you made on your test. This must be done prior to your taking the next test.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (Extra credit will be given for attending these events).
Students of Russian at Union may take advantage of a wealth of extra-curricular activities sponsored by the Department and by other groups on campus, including lectures, informal conversation gatherings (Russian Table), films, Russian news broadcasts, parties and more.
Russian Table: Check the events page for current date and time
This is very important and can considerably improve your grade!!!
Trips planned and sponsored by Russian section: (Examples)
Performance by Russian Dance Ensemble
Visit to Union College by Russian class from Niskayuna High School.
Russian & East European Film Series
Russian & East European Culture Club Meetings
STUDY IN RUSSIA
It's not too early for you to start thinking about study abroad. No matter what your major is, study in Russia can be an irreplaceable educational experience for you. YOU ARE ELIGIBLE after only 1 year of Russian. Ask about it.
Enjoy your Russian, and recommend it to a friend!!!!
Желаем удачи!!! We wish you success!!