Course Description  

Credit Hours: 4

Study of fundamentals of Russian: conversation, basic writing, listening and reading comprehension, vocabulary building, grammar, and culture. This course fosters understanding of Russian-speaking people through cultural comparison and development of written and spoken communication. No prerequisites. 

LAG Description

Welcome to the exciting world of Russian language and culture! In Russian 1411, you will
embark on a fascinating linguistic journey while immersing yourself in a supportive and
engaging class environment. Through hands-on activities and interactive discussions, you’ll
have the opportunity to connect with fellow students, embrace cultural experiences that will
broaden your horizons, and celebrate the beauty of Russian culture and language together. Join
us on this captivating journey and unlock the doors to a new language and culture.

Credit by Examination/High School Language Credit 

If you are not sure if this course is the correct level for you, please talk to your professor.  You can earn college credit without taking this course by exploring all your options. You could easily be placed in the appropriate level, which could save you time and money.  You can earn credit for this course with the following:

Course Challenge Exams (ACC’s in-house exams for all languages)

Please be aware that there is not a financial penalty incurred for a level change at ACC. Please visit our departmental website for more information or talk to your professor:  http://sites.austincc.edu/fola/credit-by-exam/

Instructional Methodology   

In this HyFlex format course, our goal will be to acquire a measure of communicative

competence in Russian. This means that we will work toward using the language for

communicative purposes – obtaining information, answering questions, expressing agreement

and disagreement, expanding a point, narrating, describing, paraphrasing, expressing feelings,

persuading. Language acquisition works best when it is based on the normal uses of the

language and, as much as possible, our work will be presented in a natural context. Class time

will emphasize speaking and listening, and we will spend our time using the language, not

talking about it. You will work in pairs and small groups and make classroom presentations in

Russian. Reading and writing will be practiced mainly at home, and the activities manual

exercises and other written assignments will be important in building these skills.

Despite the overall communicative orientation, there is still a significant amount of grammar and spelling in this course. This is intentional. I adhere to the position that grammatical processes are critical for self-expression in a learned second language and that fluent communication is directly associated with confident control of structure. Without dexterity with a certain minimum amount of grammar, a student cannot achieve the levels of proficiency we look for.

Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration. You should be prepared to spend a minimum of at least 12-16 hours per week studying and doing assignments to prepare for class. Though there are only two to three due dates per week, it is best to study a little each day and stay on top of the material.  Completing all the assignments at 10 pm when they are due at midnight is not a good strategy for learning Russian.

How this HyFlex Class Works:

Our section of Russian 1 1411 will be taught in a HyFlex format. The class works as an in-class instruction but you have the option to join virtually during any given class period through Zoom.

The class meets 1:30-3:20 Tuesdays and Thursdays Room 1111 RGC. During the semester, you can switch between showing up in-class or online at any point in time. The only caveat is making sure you show up for the class times. This option is open so you can have the flexibility to still be able to attend class if something comes up that you cannot make it in person.

Check your ACC e-mail each week for a message from the instructor with reminders, strategies, and tips to help you succeed with your online technical and business writing assignments.  In addition, if at any time you have a question about your online or classroom work, feel free to e-mail the instructor.

Liberal Arts Gateway Experience

Russian 1411 is a LAG class, and I have incorporated the principles of Dialogue, Equity, Personal Engagement, and Cultural Exploration throughout the class providing a student-centered experience focused on positive interactions with classmates and the instructor, as well as meaningful exploration of the material to obtain the course objectives.  You’ll take an active role in your learning and will work closely with your professor to ensure your needs are met.

Course Rationale   

In addition to offering the fundamentals of the Russian language, this course is intended to fulfill one semester of the foreign language requirement as needed for Associate Degree plans and transfer credit to four-year institutions.  The number of courses required varies depending on discipline and institution.

Common Course Objectives   

The main objective of this course is to develop competencies that align with the general education goals of critical thinking, interpersonal skills, civic and cultural awareness, personal responsibility, and written, oral and visual communication, in the Russian language, at an appropriate level. The ability to understand, communicate in, and comprehend Russian will develop along with the knowledge of the vocabulary, grammatical structures of the language, and exploration of how culture shapes communication.  We will introduce the Cyrillic writing system, the sound system of Russian (phonology, phonetics, and intonation) and cover the first six chapters of Troika.  In addition to linguistic competence, we will also develop cultural awareness through songs, poetry selections, film and other authentic materials.  You should plan to spend a minimum of 12-16 hours per week on this course.

Grading System   

Your grade will be based on the following:

**Students must receive a grade of C or better in order to continue with Russian 1412.

5 Tests (at 3% each)                                                                                       15%                

Comprehensive Final Exam                                                                           10%

Quizzes                                                                                                           10%

Homework                                                                                                      15%

Activities                                                                                                        10%

Class Participation                                                                                          15%

Oral Presentations                                                                                           15%

Final Oral Interview                                                                                       10%

Grade Scale

1. 1. A

1. 1. B

1. 1. C

1. 1. D

1. 1. F

Tests and Final Exam

The due dates for the Tests and the Final are indicated in the attached schedule of work. The tests will cover vocabulary, grammar, and cultural themes studied in the previous chapters. Most tests will include an oral component.  Though all tests are cumulative, they will focus on individual units of the text.  The Final is comprehensive:  it will cover units one through six.  Completion of all assignments in a timely manner is the best way to prepare for the tests and the Final.  No late exams will be accepted: you will not have access to the exams after the due date. Unit exams will be taken outside of class on your own time. Use of notes or cell phone during an exam, unless otherwise indicated, is considered cheating and will result in a 0 on the exam or, in the case of blatant cheating, an F in the course. You will not receive credit for any answers given on an exam that are beyond the scope of this class.  Remember that tests are a tool designed to help you gauge how well you are learning the material.  I expect there to be mistakes on tests and quizzes—we learn best through the mistakes we make.

Quizzes

There are many graded quizzes that focus on smaller bits of material than the exams, thereby keeping you actively engaged in learning the material. Pay careful attention to the dates of availability of the quizzes.  You must complete the quiz by the given deadline, or you will receive a 0 on the quiz.  Note that there are time limits when taking the quiz, so make sure you have the allotted time available before beginning the quiz.  The quizzes are a tool to aid you in keeping on top of the material.  No outside materials should be used on quizzes!  Use of notes or cell phone during any quiz, unless otherwise indicated, is considered cheating and will result in a 0 on the quiz or, in the case of blatant cheating, an F in the course.  Adequate preparation for the quizzes will help you achieve success in the course.  I will drop three quiz grades in calculating your quiz grade at the end of the semester.

Homework/ Activities Manual/Audio Submissions/Partner Work

Completing all assignments in a timely manner is the key to success in this course.  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of completing and submitting your homework assignments on time.  The homework assignments from the Troika activities manual are all to be completed through the VHL Supersite. There are a few additional non-Troika homework assignments that are located on Blackboard—they will be clearly marked on the calendar of work. Each assignment is graded.  If you receive a 75% or above, you will get full credit which is the equivalent of 100%.  If you receive a grade between 40-74%, you will receive half credit which calculates as 50%.  You will not be given credit for any grade below 40%. You can attempt the assignments as many times as you would like prior to the due date. Your highest grade will be counted.  Please email me if you find there are errors in the auto-graded homework assignment answers or if you’d like me to review an assignment—I don’t want you to have to redo an assignment because you formatted your answers differently than the supplied answers.

Late Assignments – You will receive half credit for homework turned in after the due date but before the unit exam. I will not accept any homework after the unit exam. Your grade will fall significantly if you fail to complete assignments or consistently complete your assignments late.  Furthermore, if you are having trouble with the course material, your homework will enable me to diagnose the problem and to get you back on the right track.  If at any point you feel that you are not following the course well enough to do the homework, make an appointment to talk to me immediately. 

Activities – There is a separate category of assignment called "Activities" that is worth 10% of your grade. There is only one activity per unit, so these are worth more than an individual homework assignment. The activities provide a way for you to engage in authentic Russian materials are an important part of this course. Please let me know if you have any questions about how to complete these activities. 

Attendance and Class Participation

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory, and students are expected to participate attentively and with reasonable enthusiasm and accuracy.  A course outline is attached.  The schedule briefly describes in-class activities and homework assigned for each class meeting.  This schedule will be supplemented as the semester progresses.  You should go over and be familiar with the material scheduled for each class in advance.  If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to contact a classmate to find out what was covered in class and to make up any missed work.  You are responsible for all material covered in class and in the recorded grammar lectures, for all homework, for all lexical items listed in the vocabulary lists at the end of each unit, and for any supplementary vocabulary that is assigned. 

Class Participation:

For each class meeting, you will be able to earn up to 3 points for participation (for a maximum of 48 points for the semester).  I will calculate your participation grade by calculating the percentage of points you earned throughout the semester.  Note that in the case of an unexcused absence, you will earn 0 points for that meeting.  I will drop your lowest grade for participation. Please see the attached rubric for more detailed information on the participation grading system.

Learning a foreign language requires a substantial amount of time and discipline, and these classes often have high drop rates. Therefore, it is extremely important that you carefully consider whether you have the time and dedication to successfully complete this course this semester; otherwise, make sure that you drop it before the end of the add/drop period.

Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.  Departmental policy allows instructors to drop students with more than three unexcused absences.  In case of sustained absences, the instructor has the right to withdraw a student from the course.

Leaving class prior to class dismissal without the instructor’s approval will be counted as an absence.  Tardiness at the beginning of class or after the break disrupts the class – please do not be tardy.  If you cannot attend class, you must inform your instructor by email at least 30 minutes before the start of class.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

Interview with Instructor at the End of Course

For your chat, I will ask you at least 10 of the 35 possible «Расскажите о себе!» questions available under the Oral Interviews link in Blackboard. You will not be able to read the questions during the interview. Once I have asked all 10 questions, I will ask you to ask me a couple of original questions using the vocabulary from the studied lessons. This interview will be conducted via Zoom. This interview will count towards 10% of your grade in the course. Our chat will not be rescheduled unless you present written proof of an emergency that prevented you from completing them at the scheduled day and time.

Aids to Learning

An audio program accompanies the workbook exercises.  You will greatly enhance your own listening comprehension of Russian by listening to these exercises as often as possible, even when they are not part of an assignment.  Similarly, there are self-tests, vocabulary drills, bilingual flash cards and other very useful resources available online—these are linked in Blackboard. 

I recorded all my lectures on the grammatical structure of Russian, and you are responsible for watching all the lectures and learning the grammar on your own. Know that I present information in the grammar lectures that is not in the textbook but that you are expected to know. I recommend you take notes while watching the lectures: studies have shown that taking notes with a pen and paper can help you learn more effectively than taking notes on a computer. You will be responsible for presenting the information in my lectures during the first 15 minutes of each class, so you’ll want to be able to have the information written down. Note that my lectures are based on the 2nd edition of Troika. Please turn on the closed captioning when watching the videos so you can read the updated page numbers for the 3rd edition (3e p.).

Many students find that it is very effective to work with a study partner with whom you can prepare for tests, practice speaking, share learning strategies, and boost morale.  There are many assignments in this course which require you to meet with a partner and record your work. Finding a partner early on with whom you work well and whose schedule corresponds with your is very important!

In addition to the textbook materials, we will also be watching one Russian film.  You will be required to watch the film and complete an assignment reviewing the film.  This will be part of your final exam grade.

Are you certain you are prepared to put in the time and effort?

Learning a foreign language requires a substantial amount of time and discipline, and these classes often have high drop rates. In addition, asynchronous classes require students to have a great deal of self-discipline and self-motivation.  If you decide upon reviewing the assignments and schedule of work that you do not have the time to put into this course, make sure that you drop it before the end of the add/drop period.

Course Policies

Please note that if compliance with college and/or course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. If you have not contacted your instructor and have not completed any assignment or attended class in 2 weeks, you may be dropped from the course.

Early College Start Students:  All ECS students are college students earning transferable college credit. 

The federal government requires us to protect the privacy of student educational records.  Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and ACC policy, faculty members may not communicate information about class progress or grades with parents, spouses, family members, etc. All communication will remain solely between the instructor and the student. If you are an Early College Start Student, please make certain that you notify your parents or guardians of this.

Online translators 

Using online translators for homework or for the preparation of course materials is strongly discouraged. You can use a translator for some of the activities since they might include vocabulary not introduced in Troika. For all other assignments, including compositions, please refer to the textbook for help. If you’d like to say something in a presentation or composition that is not in Troika, feel free to reach out to me.  No credit will be given for work that was produced by an online translator.  You may be asked to give detailed grammatical explanations on any work that you turn in that contains vocabulary and grammatical concepts that are beyond the scope of this textbook.

Withdrawal

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.  (See “Rule of Three,” below)

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Should it be necessary, the instructor reserves the right to drop a student.

Rule of Three 

Due to state law, a charge of $60 per credit hour ($300 for a 5-credit course and $180 for a 3-credit course) will be added to the regular tuition for a course in which you have already been officially registered twice before. You are considered officially registered after the 12th day of classes in the spring and fall, and after the 4th day of classes in the summer. The only foreign language course exempted from "the rule of three" is SPAN 0041- Spanish Lab.

Auditing Course  

Students who wish to audit a course may register to do so only on the last day of the add/drop period.  Registration is subject to availability of space.  Admissions requirements, and tuition and fees for auditing are the same as those for students enrolled for credit.   Auditing students are expected to meet all other course requirements, including homework, partner assignments, and tests and other graded material.

Incompletes  

If there is a documented extenuating circumstance after the last day to withdraw, then you may be eligible for an incomplete. The student must be in good standing and have a C or higher. The student must consult with the instructor and the final decision will be at the instructor’s discretion. Note that incompletes can only be given to students who have completed a minimum of 90% of the course work.

1.      Prior to the end of the semester in which the I is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.      The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

3.      The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

4.      Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  

5.      When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

Student Discipline 

All students are expected to respect others in class and when completing shared course work and behave in a non-disruptive manner.  If a student’s behavior disrupts the classroom environment (including discussion board posts, presentations, and partner work) he/she may be dropped from the class.  Please be respectful of your classmates and instructor.  Please refer to the section on student discipline in the ACC Student Handbook for student discipline guidelines. 

Copyright Violations

 By college policy, there shall be no copying of or from works intended to be “consumable” in the course of study or of teaching. These include workbooks, exercises, standardized tests and test booklets and answer sheets and like consumable material. Copying shall not substitute for the purchase of books, publishers’ reprints or periodicals.

VetSuccess Program 

The VetSuccess on Campus program is a collaborative effort between Austin Community College and the Department of Veterans Affairs with the purpose of providing a supportive, on-campus environment where student Veterans may gather to obtain assistance and peer support.  The program assists student Veterans in making a smooth transition to college life and successfully completing their educational programs.  The VA has placed a full-time, experienced vocational counselor at the ACC Veterans Resource Center.  This counselor can serve as a “one-stop liaison” for Veterans, active duty military and their eligible family members who attend or plan to attend ACC.  For more information go to austincc.edu/veterans.

Freedom of Expression 

Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class.  In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints.  These differences enhance the learning experience and create and atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn.  On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor.  It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Textbook   

(Required)  Nummikoski, Troika, 3rd edition (Vista Higher Learning 2025).  You must purchase or rent the textbook and you need to access to the VHL Supersite as all Activities Manual exercises will be completed through the supersite. 

You need:                    

1. The textbook: it is available digitally (called vText), you can purchase an actual hardcover textbook, or a set of looseleaf pages that you can put in a three ring binder. The textbook must be the 3rd edition. As long as you have a copy of it (digitally or a physical textbook/looseleaf pages), you will be fine either way.
2. Online Workbook Platform: Regardless of how you get your textbook, you will need access to the WebSam site (the Online Workbook Platform). You will need to purchase this on the publisher’s website. 

As you consider the textbook options, please keep in mind that we use the same exact textbook for Russian levels I-III at ACC, so you will use the same text for Russian 1411, 1412, and 2311.

(Required for some)  Edwina Cruise, English Grammar for Students of Russian (The Olivia and Hill Press, 1993, second edition).  (Required for students who have either never studied English grammar or who have forgotten the basics of English grammar). 

Russian 1411 Course Schedule For the most up-to-date schedule of work, refer to the agenda under Course Content

Course Learning Outcomes

Russian 1411 Course Outcomes

CRITICAL THINKING:

-     utilize context, cognates, and related familiar words to understand written passages.

-     determine what information is important when reading or listening for the gist or for specific information to answer questions and draw inferences about passages.

-     synopsize and synthesize information from authentic sources, such as film clips, songs, and poems.

-     utilize language creatively to talk about their possessions, friends and families, home life, features of their city, professions, and their daily schedule.

-     compare and contrast aspects of Russian society, such as familial roles, housing, urban and rural life, professions, and daily schedules.

-     identify various cultural practices common in Russia and compare them with those of the U.S., providing specific examples of what cultural misunderstandings are common and why they might occur.

-     identify countries where the Russian language is widely spoken and explain the reason behind the rise of dominance of the Russian language in the region.

-     identify professions that are popular in Russia, explain why they are popular, compare with their own.

TEAMWORK (Interpersonal Skills):

-     interview and present to classmates to exchange information about themselves.

-     create dialogues with partners talking about their daily lives and other related topics.

-     help one another with areas of difficulty.

-     brainstorm in groups to organize tasks.

-     discuss perspectives on cultural differences with partners or groups.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (Civic and Cultural Awareness):

-     compare customs when meeting and greeting people and explain how differences can lead to misunderstandings.

-     utilize formal and informal speech, changing registers as needed, and using gestures.

-     identify how the rise and fall of the Soviet Union impacted the role of the Russian language in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

-     compare familial roles in Russia with those of their own culture.

-     compare values related to daily life such as family and traditions.

-     identify differences among the Russian-speaking regions. 

-     develop awareness of current events in Russian-speaking regions and analyze their implications on the region, on the U.S. and in the world.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY:

-   show time management skills by successfully completing tasks on time.

-   acquire effective study habits for language learning.

-   state how learning Russian will be useful to them and improve their lives.

-   name aspects of Russian language and culture of personal interest.

COMMUNICATION (Written, Oral and Visual Communication):

-     utilize context, cognates, and related familiar words to understand unfamiliar material in written passages.

-     determine what information is important when reading or listening for the gist or for specific information

-     utilize brainstorming, appropriate sequencing, and visualization techniques to organize their writing.

-      exhibit conceptual understanding and control of courtesy expressions and appropriate kinesics when speaking in Russian

-      in both presentational and interactive speech, use the rules of Russian phonetics (vowel reduction, devoicing, voicing and devoicing assimilation, palatalization of consonants) and intonation.  

-   interpret and express ideas in the present tense on topics such as family, studies, university life, home life, and Russian geography through written, oral, and visual communication

Discipline Learning Outcomes for Russian

Discipline Learning Outcomes for Russian

CRITICAL THINKING:

-           utilize a variety of reading or listening strategies for comprehension

-           draw inferences from information that has been presented

-          synopsize and synthesize the information from passages heard or read

-            utilize language creatively to make it relevant to their lives

-          make comparisons and find contrasts among the different Russian-speaking cultures and their own and explain different values

-           mention implications and applications of information they have read or heard

TEAMWORK (Interpersonal Skills):

-     complete a variety of language-based activities working in pairs and small groups.

-     demonstrate the ability to negotiate meaning to complete language-based activities

-     demonstrate the ability to work in groups to achieve a common goal

-     demonstrate the ability to consider different points of view and work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (Civic and Cultural Awareness):

-     compare and contrast different perspectives on cultural issues, customs, and traditions after reading or listening to passages in the Russian language

-     demonstrate some intercultural competence by correctly using formal and informal speech, changing registers as needed, and using gestures

-     mention some differences among the countries where Russian is spoken

-     show awareness of current events in Russian-speaking regions and analyze their implications

-    state ways that studying Russian-speaking societies can help understand and improve their own society

-  explain the importance of knowledge of Russian culture for relationships between individuals, businesses, or nations

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY:

-   acquire effective language learning strategies for life-long learning

-   state how learning Russian will be useful to them and improve their lives

-   name and investigate aspects of Russian language and culture of personal interest

COMMUNICATION (Written, Oral and Visual Communication):

-   show effective written and spoken communication in Russian at the appropriate level using a variety of strategies and adopting the appropriate type of speech 

-   use listening strategies such as listening for the main idea and for specific details and asking for clarification.

-   exhibit conceptual understanding and control of courtesy expressions and appropriate kinesics when speaking in Russian

-   interpret and express ideas through written, oral, and visual communication

General Education Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate competence in:

—    Critical Thinking

     Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information

—    Interpersonal Skills (Teamwork)

     Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals

—    Civic and Cultural Awareness (Social Responsibility)

Analyzing and critiquing competing perspectives in a democratic society, and comparing, contrasting, and interpreting differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices

—    Personal Responsibility

Identifying and applying ethical principles and practices, and demonstrating effective learning, creative thinking, and personal responsibility

—    Written, Oral and Visual Communication (Communication

Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium