Русский
язык 102
Tulane University
Russian
102-01
Elementary
Russian II
Spring,
2008
Geo. Cummins
Office: Newcomb 305B (862-3094); gcummins@tulane.edu
office MWRF 11-12 and by appointment
Website: www.tulane.edu/~gcummins;
select Russian 102.
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.
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.
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 studentŐs 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.Ó 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.
I will offer weekly
or bi-weekly oral and written quizzes summarizing class material; no midterm
exam.
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.