Russian 102 – Basic Russian 3

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:50-11:55 PM

Professor: Kristin Bidoshi Office Hours: MWF 1:40-2:40

Office: Humanities 114B Phone: 388-7105

E-Mail: bidoshik@union.edu

Course Description

This course is the third quarter of first year Russian. In Russian 100, 101 and 102 you will learn basic language skills. The goal of this course is to develop your analytic speaking abilities by acquainting you with Russian grammar and vocabulary. You will develop a sense of the structure of the language through the aid of authentic materials and communicative exercises. While our focus is primarily on the Russian language, we will seek to relate language developments to literature and culture.

Course Grades

There will be 3 exams, some quizzes and a final exam. Class participation, including attendance, meeting with Victoria on a weekly basis, and written homework also figure into your final grade. The grades will be calculated based on the following percentages:

3 Unit Exams (3 @ 20%) 60%

1 Final Exam (in-class) 25%

Quizzes and Class Participation 15%

Participation

Because language skills must be developed through regular interaction in the language, class attendance is mandatory. I will keep a DAILY attendance record. If you miss more than four class periods, your final letter grade will be lowered by one full letter. * Please be aware that this policy includes meetings with Victoria. (If you earn an A for the course but have missed five times, your final grade for the course will be lowered to a B.) In the event that you know in advance that you must miss a class or a meeting with Sasha, it makes good sense to tell me. You can always leave a phone message for me or contact me via e-mail.

Readings

The textbook for this class is: Live from Moscow, Vol. 2

Workbook and Lab Manual

Audio Cassette Tapes

Exams

This course will have 4 major examinations. These exams will test your speaking, reading and listening comprehension.

The three unit exams are worth 60% of the overall grade; the final exam is worth 25%.

Exam #1 (Unit 8) Wednesday, April 24

Exam #2 (Unit 9) Friday, May 17

Exam #3 (Unit 10) Wednesday, June 12

Final Exam Week of June 10-13

TBA (in class)

*If this schedule needs to be changed, changes will be announced in class. There will be no make-ups, (except in the case of death in the family, military orders, or an excuse from your doctor showing that you are physically incapable of taking the exam). At the end of the quarter 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

Daily Grades

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.

Homework

You will have required written 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 nightly and be prepared to turn it in at the end of each class. Make every effort to keep up -- it's much easier than trying to catch up!

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.