Course Catalogue

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This course is designed as one of the constituent elements of the Postgraduate Diploma in Russian Language for Social Scientists Programme. It is based on analytical language / content work of Russian social science texts in the target language under teachers' guidance.

It consists of comparative work on two topics (one per semester), with at least 2 original resources for each semester (minimum 4 for the whole module): articles, book chapters, websites, blog entries etc .

It is taught over 22 weeks: 1 hour per week classwork + 1 hour distance learning (e.g Skype). 

The course should be completed before the study period in Russia and assessed at the spring diet.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Previous knowledge of Russian at the level that allows to read and understand original Russian texts of a range of different styles and vocabularies with limited use of a dictionary is required.

Recommended Entry Requirements

As above plus knowledge of Russian society, Russian history and culture. 

None

Postgraduate Certificate in Russian Language (60 credits)

Russian for Social Scientists (intermediate) (40 credits)

Assessment

Three written reviews of the analysed sources in English (3000) words spread over two semesters)

 50% of the mark;

Tree written summaries in Russian, based on the analysed sources ( 1500 words spread over two semesters):

50% of the mark;

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

It aims to provide an extended vocabulary on a variety of topics;

to gain the knowledge of different types of texts;

to gain the knowledge of factual resources and their inter-correspondence;

to develop student's ability to understand, compare, discuss and draw conclusions from Russian social science texts.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

Demonstrate their understanding of particular Russia-related subjects;

Use an extended Russian vocabulary in selected topics;

Show general understanding of Russian realia;

Show an ability to analyse, compare, review and discuss Russia-related topics both in English and in Russian.

Attendance at course and successful completion of assessment tasks.