Course Description

This course is the continuation of Russian 101, elementary Russian. Fundamental grammatical notions and basic discourse skills will be founded on and continued. Students will learn to write paragraphs in Russian and to make and understand simple conversations about their families, academic interests, and daily lives, as well as about the geography and culture of the Russians. Internet materials, videos, and computer-assisted teaching models supplement the primary textbook. All assignments, handouts, lectures and grammatical discussions will be available on my website as the course unfolds. The prerequisite for this class is Russian 101 or the equivalent or placement. The class meets MTWR for 50 minutes each day. Students will be expected to have internet access and to make printed copies of all materials, including this syllabus.

Text

Lubensky, Ervin, McLellan, Jarvis. Начало. 2001, Second Edition. McGraw. Book One and Book Two. With accompanying laboratory tapes available lesson by lesson in the Multimedia Lab, Newcomb 408, and also with accompanying workbooks. The video for selected lessons is available in the language lab. Unfort6unately, despite all our efforts, Blackboaard cannot penetrate Tulane's security system to allow off-campus or off-site viewing. The video is very important; see it in the learning center.

Supplementary reading: Gerhart, Genevra. The Russian's World. Slavica. 2001.

Course Goals and Objectives

The course focuses on developing and expanding basic discourse and writing skills. The student will learn to write in Russian, to understand and respond to utterances and to speak about himself and selected topics in Russian culture. (S)he will learn to manipulate learning tools: the language and multi-media laboratory, the Internet with its rich Russian site bank, and she will explore strategies for learning this difficult and rather 'foreign' tongue. Much of the course will be conducted in Russian. Students will discuss topics and practice grammatical formations together in class. Students will submit daily written assignments for discussion and analysis in class.

Course Requirements:

Attendance is essential for success in learning language skills and is mandatory in this class. Unexcused absences will be reflected in the participation grade (see below); after four such absences, the final grade will be reduced by one point (A > A-, A- > B+, etc.) for each absence. Students are encouraged to attend as regularly as possible, and in return have the instructor's word that they will not be badgered, grilled, or punished for incomplete homework assignments. All students who attend this class are sure to learn some Russian and will be treated with respect.

Note: "Instructors are not authorized to excuse absences that extend calendar holidays. Only the student’s dean may excuse such absences. A student who has excessive unexcused absences or ceases to attend a couse without an official withdrawal will, at the instructor's request and with the approval of the associate dean, be withdrawn from the course and receive a grade of WF."(University policy)

May I quote to you from our departmental policy on introductory and intermediate language classes: "Actively participating in class, that is, interacting with others in the target language, is the single most important aspect of language learning.” Participation includes not only attending class and participating in discussion and debate, but also completing homework on time, reading and preparing the assigned text materials, and asking questions when you do not understand."

I ask you to do homework assignments on time as much as possible, to participate in class recitation and discussion, to ask questions when I am unclear, to take quizzes and tests with good humor and equanimity. The key to learning a language is good, steady work, work that is sustained and pleasurable that is goal-directed toward real results. Be prepared to enjoy what you are doing and to do it regularly.

Assigments will be posted regularly on my site; please print them out for your reference.

Tests

I will offer weekly or bi-weekly oral and written quizzes summarizing class material; no midterm exam.

Grades

The course grade will be computed on

quizzes 40%

recitation/homework 40%

final exam 20%

Scale:

93-100	A	72-76	C
89-92	A-	69-71	C-
86-88	B+	67-68	D+
82-85	B	62-66	D
79-81	B-	58-61	D-
77-78	C+	x-57	F

Disabilities

Please come to the instructor at the first meeting of this class to discuss accommodation for your disability. Bring any documentation you may have.

Final Examination will be announced.