OVERVIEW

Russian Language I (SSD: L-LIN / 21; code: 55925; CFU: 9) includes two practical Russian language modules ("Lettorato", taught by Russian-speaking language instructors) and a Theretical Module, with classes taught by Dr. Antonio Civardi in common with 55961 Russian Linguistics. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is aimed at fostering a theoretical and practical understanding of the distinctive features of Russian. The course is organized as follows: a) Italian-Russian grammatical translation, b) Written text comprehension and production, c) Oral text comprehension and production, d) Linguistic laboratory (movies and audio/video materials), e) Independent readings, f) Theoretical Module.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The practical Russian language modules ("Lettorato") are aimed at developing and expanding the students' expressive skills, as well as their knowledge of contemporary Russian culture and society. The focus will be on verb aspect, verbs of motion and idioms in contemporary Russian. Special attention will be devoted to Russia news and current affairs.
The purpose of the course is to complete the linguistic (level В2/C1 of the CEFR) and cultural preparation of future experts in Russian language and literature. At the end of the course the student will be able to:

• identify, describe and use morphosyntactic structures and vocabulary used in texts of current affairs and professional fields;
• understand, expose and discuss topics related to Russian current affairs, to Russia's history and culture, and to work in various professional sectors;
• use appropriate morphosyntactic markers in oral interaction;
• use verb aspect with reference to different communicative situations.
• understand unadapted videos and audio recordings from media and the web;
• effectively use the main lexicographic tools and databases;

The theoretical module aims at offering an in-depth description of some morphosyntactic structures of contemporary standard Russian, highlighting their distinctive features. Starting from this descriptive level, we will proceed to an analisys of the structural properties of Russian and to a discussion of the theoretical problems connected to some of its syntactic peculiarities, within the the framework of generative grammar, for which the course provides an elementary introduction.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• identify and describe the syntactic categories of Russian, within the proposed framework;
• describe and analyze the syntactic structure of a sentence in Russan and its structural properties;
• describe the aspectual features of the Russian verb in connection with actionality;
• employ the theoretical concepts learned for the purpose of a more effective learning of Russian at an advanced level.

PREREQUISITES

Proficiency level for Russian as a second language matching that required for admission to the master's degree (B2 - Common European Framework of Reference for Language skills).
The Theoretical Module classes assume familiarity with the basics of linguistic analysis (parts of speech, predicate, agreement, case, etc ..., being able to distinguish between the phonological, morphological, syntactic levels).

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons of the theoretical module will take place in the first semester (3 hours per week), the practical modules will take place both in the first and in the second semester (5 hours per week).

Attendance is free, but highly recommended.

The lessons will be supported by material provided via AulaWeb (course code 55925) and Teams.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program for both attending and non-attending students is the same.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

1st semester, start date: September 30, 2024. The class timetable will be available prior to semester start.

Class schedule

RUSSIAN LANGUAGE I

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam of the Practical Module ("Lettorato") is written and consists of two lexical and grammar tests, one for each part of the classes, pertaining to the topics covered in the Lettorato

The final exam of the Theoretical Module entails a co-operative discussion of the topics dealt with during the classes: every student will be assigned a sentence in Russian and will be requested to propose a syntactic analysis for it. 20-30 minutes will be given for analysing the sentence, thereaftere everyone will present his/her own analysis and discuss it with the instructor and with his/her peers. The second part of the exam of a question on the topics related to the aspect and meaning of the verb in Russian (for example: what is a causative predicate?) and finally a grade will be assigned by the instructor on the basis of the discussion of the analysis and of the answer to the question.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Practical Module ("Lettorato"): the two lexico-grammatical tests will assess students' familiarity with the syntactic constructions taught in the classes and their use in different contexts. 

Theoretical Module: the instructor will assess the student's ability to carry out her/his own analysis on the basis of the topics presented in the course. Comparisons with other other languages, including the student's own intuitions about her/his native language(s) will be be positively evaluated. See also "Exam descripton".

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.