Rus 361: Advanced Russian Grammar & Composition I
Course Syllabus
Fall Semester 2019
Course Syllabus
Fall Semester 2019
Instructor: Andrew M. Drozd
Location: B. B. Comer 251 Time: 2:00-3:15 MW E-mail: adrozd@ua.edu |
Office: B. B. Comer 213
Office Hours: 12-1 MW Phone: 348-8520 WWW: http://adrozd.people.ua.edu/ |
TEXT: Benjamin Rifkin, Evgeny Dengub, and Susanna Nazarova, Panorama. Panoramaincludes an electronic workbook, access to which is purchased along with the textbook. Audio materials for the textbook are available within Blackboard Learn.
It is also strongly recommended that you acquire a high-quality Russian-English dictionary: A. I. Smirnitskii, Russian-English Dictionary(Russko-angliiskii slovar’); The Oxford Russian Dictionary; etc. A quality dictionary should contain at least 50,000 entries.
DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the attainment of the structures and vocabulary necessary for advanced expression in Russian. The course emphasizes the composition of essays in Russian on a variety of topics.
PREREQUISITE: Rus 202 or permission of the instructor.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The material covered in Rus 361 consists of the first half of the textbook, Panorama; eight chapters in all. Rus 361 is designed to strengthen the various skills of language learning, especially reading and writing. The course integrates language learning with interactive tasks. At the end of the semester the student will:
1) Achieve knowledge of Russian vocabulary at the mid-advanced level.
2) Achieve knowledge of Russian grammar at the mid-advanced level.
3) Achieve active use of the language at the mid-advanced level.
4) Demonstrate an advanced understanding of Russian culture.
5) Demonstrate the ability to communicate well in Russian with native speakers and classmates on the topic covered in this class.
6) Read and understand advanced passages in Russian related to chapter topics and vocabulary.
7) Write advanced passages in Russian on the chapter topics and vocabulary covered in class.
REQUIREMENTS:
Testing: 1. There will be two exams plus a final exam. In addition to material testing the vocabulary and grammatical points covered in each chapter, the exams will contain a composition on one of the chapter topics. There will be NO make-up exams except in very rare circumstances. If you have a conflict with a test date and wish to take the exam at another time, you may do so if you inform the instructor in a timely manner.
Testing Schedule(Subject to change):
Exam #1 on Chapters 1-3: Monday, Sep. 30
Exam #2 on Chapters 4-6: Monday, Nov. 4
Comprehensive Final Exam: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 3:30-6:00PM
2. There will be regular quizzes on the vocabulary. All quizzes are scheduled in advance and are required. There will be no make-ups except in very rare circumstances. However, if you have a conflict with a quiz date and wish to take it at another time, you may do so if you inform the instructor in a timely manner. Quizzes will be graded on a 100-point scale. If you miss a quiz you will receive a zero. You are allowed to drop your lowest quiz grade.
HOMEWORK AND COMPOSITIONS: Homework will be assigned regularly and will be graded on a 100-point scale. For this course the homework assignments are to be completed via the electronic workbook. The compositions are separate assignments to be submitted directly to the instructor. Late compositions will be penalized by the deduction of at least ten points. Please note that all compositions are to be typed. If you are uncertain how to install or enable a Russian keyboard on a computer, please see the instructor.
ATTENDANCE: Good attendance is essential for learning a language. Attendance is required, will be recorded and will be a significant component of your grade. If for some reason you miss class, be sure to check with me or another student as to what you have missed. That is your responsibility.
GRADING: Exams: 20%
Final Exam: 20%
Quizzes: 10%
Homework: 15%
Class Performance: 10%
Compositions: 15%
Attendance: 10%
Course grades are given on the plus/minus system. For an explanation see the Undergraduate Catalog.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
It is expected that all students will pay attention and participate in class. Therefore, no electronic devices are to be used in class unless an assignment specifically calls for it or unless it has been approved by ODS (see below). Recreational use of electronic devices in class is a distraction for everyone else and all cellphones, laptops, tablets, etc., are to be turned off when class starts. Persistent violations will result in a reduction of one’s class performance and/or attendance grade. In instances regarding a family or medical emergency, an exception will be granted, if you inform the instructor in advance.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY:
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.
The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
In addition to the university’s general statement on academic misconduct, please note the policy specific for this course:Written assignments must be original and completed by the student. The use of electronic translator programs or services is strictly limited to their use as dictionaries to consult individual words or expressions. Any evidence of partially or fully translated material, including but not limited to whole sentences, paragraphs or longer sections is considered a violation of the Policy on Academic Misconduct, specifically as it relates to cheating, and may be subject to disciplinary action.
DISABILITY STATEMENT:
If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.
UAct: The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community defined by respect and civility. The UAct website (www.ua.edu/uact) provides extensive information on how to report or obtain assistance with a variety of issues, including issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual violence or other Title IX violations, illegal discrimination, harassment, child abuse or neglect, hazing, threat assessment, retaliation, and ethical violations or fraud.
EMERGENCY STATEMENT:
The UA emergency information site: http://prepare.ua.edu/. In the event of an emergency, the instructor will give information on the course through Blackboard Learn.