Rus 101: Elementary Russian I

Course Syllabus Fall Semester 2008


Instructor: Andrew M. Drozd Office: 210 B. B Comer
Location:
Office Hours: 10:00-10:50 TR
Time:
Phone: 348-5720
E-mail: adrozd@bama.ua.edu WWW: http://bama.ua.edu/~adrozd

TEXTS: Golosa: A Basic Course in Russian, 4th ed. The set consists of two textbooks and two workbooks. We will use Book 1 of the textbook and workbook in this class. Additional materials used are available on the Internet. The on-line version of the syllabus contains direct links to these materials.

DESCRIPTION: This course will teach the basics of Russian grammar while emphasizing the acquisition of reading, listening, and speaking skills by the student. This course bears the FL and HU designations of the university core curriculum.

PREREQUISITE: None.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The material covered in Rus 101 consists of the first six chapters of Book One of Golosa, both the textbook and workbook. Rus 101 is designed to strengthen four basic skills of language learning: listening, reading, speaking and writing. The course integrates language learning with interactive tasks. At the end of the semester the student will:
1) Have made progress with the Russian case system.
2) Have made progress with the Russian verb system.
3) Achieve active use of the language at the beginning level.
4) Demonstrate an initial understanding of Russian culture.
5) Demonstrate the ability to communicate well in Russian with classmates on the topic covered in this class.
6) Listen and understand basic passages in Russian related to chapter topics and vocabulary.
7) Read and understand basic passages in Russian related to chapter topics and vocabulary.
8) Write basic passages in Russian on the chapter topics and vocabulary covered in class.

REQUIREMENTS:

Testing: 1. There will be a departmental exam after each unit. 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 on Alphabet: Wednesday, Aug. 27
Exam on Unit One: Thursday, Sep. 11
Exam on Unit Two: Thursday, Sep. 25
Exam on Unit Three: Monday, Oct. 13
Exam on Unit Four: Monday, Oct. 29
Exam on Unit Five: Monday, Nov. 10
Exam on Unit Six: Tuesday, Nov. 25 Comprehensive Final Exam:
Section 002: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 8-10:30 AM
Section 003: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

2. There will be regular quizzes on the vocabulary and grammatical points. All quizzes will be announced at least one day 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: Homework will be assigned regularly and will be graded on a 100-point scale. If you forget to bring your homework to class, you have until 5:00PM on the day it is due to place it in my mailbox in B. B. Comer 200. Any homework turned in late will be penalized by the automatic reduction of at least 10 points. You are allowed to drop your three lowest homework grades.

Attendance: Good attendance is essential for learning a language. Attendance is required and will be recorded. Poor attendance will be reflected in your grade: FIVE unexcused absences will reduce your grade by a third (i.e., a plus/minus) and TEN unexcused absences will reduce your grade by a full letter. 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: 40%
Final Exam: 20%
Quizzes: 15%
Homework and Class Performance: 25%
Course grades are given on the plus/minus system. For an explanation see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Academic misconduct policy: "All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct."

Disability access: To request disability accommodations, please contact Disabilities Services (348-4285). After initial arrangements are made with Disabilities Services, contact Professor Drozd.

Instructor Homepage

Elementary Russian I Course Page

Course Schedule


Andrew M. Drozd
adrozd@bama.ua.edu
The University of Alabama
Last Update: 8/20/08