Russian Modules

Level 4 

Semester A modules

EAL4202 Critical Thinking and Writing for Modern Foreign Languages

This module is offered at level 4 and responds to students' linguistic and discipline specific needs in terms of developing analytical skills, critical reading and note-taking skills, argument construction and incorporation of sources, citation and referencing, essay structuring and organisation, written English as necessary (grammar and vocabulary), and editing and proof-reading skills. Students joining this module are both L1 and L2 speakers of English and are studying the modern foreign language degrees in SLLF namely French, German, Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, Russian. These workshops help students to deliver what is expected from them in their essays. After consultation with their subject tutors and agreement on the academic skills needed to succeed in their degrees, the content is itemised and will be presented in strands of `study skills', `reading and demonstrating knowledge', and `critical thinking and writing'. Students will be given the tools to manage their time efficiently and plan their work accordingly. They will be guided through the process of understanding and successfully delivering assignments, in view of the implications their immediate context bestows upon them. Students will be encouraged and expected to reflect upon their own practice, and will be provided with formative feedback to ensure the learning outcomes are achieved. The module is needs driven and therefore the syllabus is necessarily flexible and the content delivered in workshop format. Assessment: This is a formative module.

RUS4021 Russian Short Stories: The Twentieth Century

While the novel has enjoyed a privileged status for much of the twentieth century, for important periods the short story dominated Russian culture. After defining and analyzing the specific features of the short story form, its theorizations, long critical neglect and the prejudice against it as a fragmentary form, this course focuses on periods where short stories came to the fore in Russia: the beginning and end of the century and the period of World War Two. Assessment: One 1500-word essay (40 per cent); one 2500-word essay (60 per cent).

RUS4200 Russian Culture and Society

Introduction to basic themes, debates, and characteristics of Russian culture and society through the centuries. Attention will be given to religion, to the binary dimension of Russian culture, to utopian aspirations, especially in the arts, to the place of the individual in society, and to the characteristic sites of Russian culture. Sources range widely and include both verbal and visual material. Short readings in Russian and longer readings in English. A basic reading knowledge of Russian is necessary. Assessment: One in-class test (25 per cent); one 1000-word essay (25 per cent); one 2000-word essay (50 per cent).

Full year modules

RUS4048 Foundations of Russian Studies

This module offers an introduction to Russian literature as well as to literary analysis through a close reading of select nineteenth-century and twentieth-century texts in all three basic genres (fiction, drama and poetry). It also offers an introduction to Russian film studies, equipping students with filmspecific analytical tools and providing a first exposure to Russian cinema. Attention will be given to some of the major themes of Russian culture (the self in society, Russia and the West, the role of the intelligentsia, political ideals, etc.) and to developing techniques of interpretation appropriate to each genre and medium. Assessment: Two 1200-word essays (12.5 per cent each); one 2500-word essay (25 per cent); one three-hour written examination (50 per cent).

RUS4201 Russian I

Offered as a QMUL Model module to: All students in Humanities and Social Sciences QMUL Model themes: International Perspectives: you will be able to consider the role of your discipline in diverse cultural and global contexts Translation from and into Russian. Comprehension of, and conversation in, spoken Russian. Compulsory for students specialising in Russian. The entire module counts towards the QMUL Model. Assessment: Coursework (40 per cent); one 15-minute oral examination (20 per cent); one two-hour 30-minute written examination (40 per cent).

RUS4202 Russian I N 

Pre-requisite: Native or near native proficiency in Russian Offered as a QMUL Model module to: All students QMUL Model themes: International Perspectives: you will be able to consider the role of your discipline in diverse cultural and global contexts Translation from and into Russian. Comprehension of, and conversation in, spoken Russian. Compulsory for students specialising in Russian. Assessment: One three-hour written examination (55 per cent); coursework (20 per cent); one 2500- word cultural research project in Russian (25 per cent).

RUS4203 Introductory Russian

It has been designed to provide students with a sound knowledge of essential Russian grammar and vocabulary and to develop four key language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. This module presents and covers all the basic elements of the Russian language, including the alphabet, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The course is well balanced between the presentation of the main grammatical concepts by the tutor in grammar classes and by activity-based grammar tutorials, mixed-skills revision and oral and reading classes. The module is intended primarily for Russian language specialists and for other students following programmes within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This module counts towards the QMUL Model. Assessment: Coursework (30 per cent); one 10-minute oral examination (20 per cent); one 3-hour written examination (50 per cent).

RUS4204 Russian I Intensive

The module is aimed at students who hold GCSE or equivalent in Russian language. It has been designed to provide students with a sound knowledge of essential Russian grammar and vocabulary and to develop four key language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. This module presents and covers all the basic elements of the Russian language, including pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The course is well balanced between the presentation of the main grammatical concepts by the tutor in grammar classes and by activity-based grammar tutorials, mixed-skills revision and oral and reading classes. The module is intended primarily for Russian language specialists and for other students following programmes within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This module counts towards the QMUL Model. Assessment: Coursework (30 per cent); one 10-minute oral examination (20 per cent); one 3-hour written examination (50 per cent).

Semester B modules

RUS4046 Russian Language Play

In the second semester of each academic year the Russian department prepares a play for performance in Russian. This is a unique opportunity for shared close analysis, examination, and realisation of a Russian text. The actors and directors are selected from among the students. 99 Numbers for the course will be limited by the size of the cast, but there is no obligation whatsoever for everyone participating to register for the course. In addition to participating in the performance, students registering for the module write a supervised essay-project on a theme associated with the play performed and supported by three formal supervisions. Assessment: One 500-word essay plan (20 per cent); one 10-minute oral presentation (30 per cent); one 2500-word essay (50 per cent). The language of the presentation and essay is English.

RUS4205 Reading Contemporary Russia

Reading Contemporary Russia consists of reading comprehension and content analysis of simple texts on contemporary Russia. The main focus of the class is to introduce students to current cultural, social, and political issues, using books, newspaper articles, journals, TV and radio broadcasts, and web sources from Russia. Selected readings and films will familiarize students with culture and features of everyday life. Assessment: Five 15-minute in-class quizzes (25 per cent); one 10-minute oral presentation (25 per cent); one one-hour written examination (50 per cent).

 

Level 5 

Semester A modules

RUS5018 Russian Novel: Crimes and Punishment

This module examines the development of the Russian novel between 1860 and 1880. We will focus on Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, two novels about individuals, a man and a woman, who attempted to place themselves outside society and who are “punished” accordingly. In both cases, this emancipation from social and moral constraints becomes the occasion for a unique, profoundly influential piece of narrative art and for a sustained exploration of the spiritual, moral, and social ingredients of the modern condition. Assessment: One 2000-word essay (50 per cent); one two-hour written examination (50 per cent). 

 

RUS5021 Russian Short Stories: The Twentieth Century

While the novel has enjoyed a privileged status for much of the twentieth century, for important periods the short story dominated Russian culture. After defining and analyzing the specific features of the short story form, its theorizations, long critical neglect and the prejudice against it as a fragmentary form, this course focuses on periods where short stories came to the fore in Russia: the beginning and end of the century and the period of World War Two. Assessment: One 1500-word essay (40 per cent); one 2500-word essay (60 per cent). 

RUS5206 Russian Musical Culture in the 20th Century

Russian Musical Culture in the 20th Century will introduce students to five main musical genres of the XX century ( Russian romantic songs, bard movement,  chanson, rock, pop music) looking at their peculiarities, most famous representatives, historical situation behind their appearance. Close analysis of selected songs will not only help students understand Russian cultural concepts and develop target language skills,  but will also make students familiar  with wider historical context and will equip them with required knowledge to listen to modern Russian music. Assessment: One 15-minute oral presentation (25 per cent); one 1000-word analysis of a song (25 per cent); one 2000-word essay (50 per cent). 

SML209 Computers and Languages

This module is designed as an introduction to the application of technology in language education. Providing a balance of theory and practice, it will equip students with the knowledge and skills to make optimum use of computers in their studies and research activities. The module will cover key concepts in the use of digital technologies for language learning and humanities, as well as providing practical experience in the creation of digital materials using a variety of computer-based applications. Assessment: Two practical assignments (10 per cent each); one 1000-word evaluation report (30 per cent); one 1500-word project (50 per cent). 

 

SML5201 Language Myths

Are some languages harder to learn than others? Are double negatives illogical? Do children lack grammar? Do dialects lack grammar? Did your parents teach you your mother tongue? In this module we explore commonly held views on human language from a contemporary, comparative perspective. The module is specifically designed with students taking a language (not linguistics) degree in mind. Assessment: Portfolio of work (100 per cent).

Full year modules 

RUS5048 Foundations of Russian Studies

This module offers an introduction to Russian literature as well as to literary analysis through a close reading of select nineteenth-century and twentieth-century texts in all three basic genres (fiction, drama and poetry). It also offers an introduction to Russian film studies, equipping students with filmspecific analytical tools and providing a first exposure to Russian cinema. Attention will be given to some of the major themes of Russian culture (the self in society, Russia and the West, the role of the intelligentsia, political ideals, etc.) and to developing techniques of interpretation appropriate to each genre and medium. Assessment: Two 1200-word essays (12.5 per cent each); one 2500-word essay (25 per cent); one three-hour written examination (50 per cent). 

 

RUS5200 Russian II

Tuition in spoken Russian aimed at enhancing communication abilities in the language. Translation from English into Russian and from Russian into English, complemented as appropriate by free composition, comprehension, précis, and exercises. Native speakers of Russian should register for Russian II N. Assessment: Coursework (40 per cent); one 15-minute oral examination (20 per cent); one two-hour 30-minute written examination (40 per cent). 

 

RUS5201 Russian II N

This module is for native speakers of Russian only. Tuition is aimed at improving students' ability to communicate in Russian, and to translate from Russian into English, and particularly from English into Russian. Compulsory for second year students of Russian who are native speakers. Assessment: Coursework (20 per cent); one 2500-word cultural research project in Russian (25 per cent); one three-hour written examination (55 per cent).

 

RUS5202 Russian II Intensive

This is the second-year core language module for students who started their degree in Russian 'ab initio'. It offers further intensive instruction in the Russian language, and by the end of the module you should be at a level comparable to those who have taken Russian II. This module completes the presentation of basic Russian grammar. Apart from grammar, oral practise of the spoken language, aural comprehension and  translation from and into Russian are also addressed. Assessment: Coursework (40 per cent); one 15-minute oral examination (20 per cent); one two-hour 30-minute written examination (40 per cent). 

 

Semester B modules 

 

RUS5032 Russian Film: Gender and Society

Starting from the Russian revolution’s proclaimed liberation of women, this module analyses Russian cinema as both a reflection of and means of challenging the dominant constructions of masculine and feminine in Russian society. Informed by Feminist and other perspectives, students examine the shifting representations of gender, the changing role of women in the cinema industry, the specific nature of Russian women’s cinema, and the ways in which masculinity has been problematized and questioned in recent film. The films are all available with English subtitles and readings are in English. Assessment: One 500-word essay plan (25 per cent); one 3500-word essay (75 per cent).

RUS5046 Russian Language Play

In the second semester of each academic year the Russian department prepares a play for performance in Russian. This is a unique opportunity for shared close analysis, examination, and realisation of a Russian text. The actors and directors are selected from among the students. Numbers for the course will be limited by the size of the cast, but there is no obligation whatsoever for everyone participating to register for the course. In addition to participating in the performance, students registering for the module write a supervised essay-project on a theme associated with the play performed and supported by three formal supervisions. Assessment: One 500-word essay plan (20 per cent); one 10-minute oral presentation (30 per cent); one 2500-word essay (50 per cent). The language of the presentation and essay is English. 

 

Level 6 

Semester A modules 

RUS093 Styles of Russian

The aim of this module is to offer you a practical introduction to the different styles of Russian language, emphasizing their fundamental features. You will acquire an enhanced appreciation of stylistic variation and its detail, improving your reading comprehension, as well as writing and speaking skills. Styles examined will include: conversational style; journalistic (or newspaper) style; business and civil service Russian; academic style; and an introduction to style in Russian poetry, drama and creative prose. Assessment: Coursework (25 per cent); one two-hour written examination (75 per cent). 

 

RUS6018 Russian Novel: Crimes and Punishment

This module examines the development of the Russian novel between 1860 and 1880. We will focus on Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, two novels about individuals, a man and a woman, who attempted to place themselves outside society and who are “punished” accordingly. In both cases, this emancipation from social and moral constraints becomes the occasion for a unique, profoundly influential piece of narrative art and for a sustained exploration of the spiritual, moral, and social ingredients of the modern condition. Assessment: One 2000-word essay (50 per cent); one two-hour written examination (50 per cent). 

 

Full year modules 

RUS6200 Russian III

Tuition in spoken Russian aimed at enhancing communication abilities in the language. Translation from English into Russian and from Russian into English, complemented as appropriate by free composition, comprehension, précis, and exercises. Achievement of a high level of competence in the language. Compulsory for students specialising in Russian. Native speakers of Russian should register for Russian III N. Assessment: Coursework (40 per cent); one 20-minute oral examination (20 per cent); one two-hour written examination (20 per cent); one two-hour audio-visual examination (20 per cent). 

 

RUS6201 Russian III N

Tuition in spoken Russian aimed at enhancing communication abilities in the language. Translation from English into Russian and from Russian into English, complemented as appropriate by free composition, comprehension, précis, and exercises. Achievement of a high level of competence in the language. Compulsory for students specialising in Russian. Assessment: One two-hour written examination (50 per cent each); coursework (20 per cent); one 3000-word cultural research project (30 per cent). 

 

SML005 Modern Languages Research Project

Entry to this module will not be automatic. All students wishing to take this module must meet the entry requirements, present an approved topic and have an agreed supervisor. It is designed to enable suitably qualified final-year students to pursue a sustained piece of individual or group research on an agreed topic which may not necessarily be covered in the taught modules. Introductory group sessions on research methods will be followed by individual supervision. You should note that failure to provide evidence of satisfactory progress will lead to de-registration. Assessment: One 1500-word Project Progress Exercise (10 percent); one 8000-word Research Project (90 percent). 

Semester B modules

RUS6032 Russian Film: Gender and Society

Starting from the Russian revolution’s proclaimed liberation of women, this module analyses Russian cinema as both a reflection of and means of challenging the dominant constructions of masculine and feminine in Russian society. Informed by Feminist and other perspectives, students examine the shifting representations of gender, the changing role of women in the cinema industry, the specific nature of Russian women’s cinema, and the ways in which masculinity has been problematized and questioned in recent film. The films are all available with English subtitles and readings are in English. Assessment: One 500-word essay plan (25 per cent); one 3500-word essay (75 per cent).