T/Th 9:35-10:50
COURSE DESCRIPTION
RUSS 2140 is a course in introductory reading in Russian, generally taken during the 4 th semester of Russian language (although there are sometimes exceptions), most often in tandem with RUSS 2040 (2 nd -year 2 nd -semester).
This course will present a variety of authentic Russian print sources in order to acquaint students with the breadth and depth, as well as particularities of printed Russian style. These will include journalistic (newspaper and magazine), literary (prose, plays, and poetry), folklore, legend, as well as one selection printed prior to 1919 (in pre-revolutionary alphabet). This class will emphasize practical reading proficiency, so there will be a great deal of reading practice and translating in class. We will investigate the notion of ‘extensive’ vs. ‘intensive’ reading, and the typical purposes behind each. A major grammatical topic throughout the majority of the semester (as this forms a substantial component in written Russian) will be an ongoing discussion of, and practice with, active and passive participles in both present and past forms. This class will be evaluated through student homework, tests, and in-class preparedness and participation.
REQUIRED TEXTS
1).
2).
Irene Thompson, Reading Real Russian, 2 nd ed., Prentice Hall, 1998.
RUSS 2140 Coursepack: Selected Readings
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
1).
2).
English-Russian/Russian-English Dictionary, Kenneth Katzner, Wiley & Sons.
501 Russian Verbs: Fully Conjugated in All the Tenses, Alphabetically Arranged
by Imperfective Infinitives, Beyer, 3 rd ed. Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
These materials can be purchased at the UW Bookstore. (The coursepack will be available from from the beginning of the spring semester.)
GRADING SYSTEM
GRADING SCALE
OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES
15% = Homework/Quizzes
30% = In-class Preparedness/Participation/Attendance
25% = Midterm Examination
30% = Final Examination
93%-100% = A, 90%-92%=A-
88%-89% = B+, 83%-87%=B, 80%-82%=B-
78-79% = C+, 70-77%=C
60%-69%=D
0-59% = F
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to read the principal literary genres in Russian that we have investigated during the semester. The student should have an awareness of literary types as they relate to counterparts in English, and should be able to identify commonalities and differences in the two languages. The student should also possess an understanding and critical awareness of human nature, of the world past and present, of ideologies, worldviews and beliefs, and of cultural and ethical traditions present in Russia. By presenting the traditions and assumptions present in Russia, the student should come away with an awareness of his or her own traditions and world-view, and should as a natural extension come to more fully comprehend the differences and affinities that exist between Russian and American cultures. In addition to this enlarged cultural perspective, the student should also complete the course with an increased vocabulary, both written and oral, as well as the ability to read with confidence, albeit with the aid of a dictionary, unfamiliar texts in Russian.

CULTURAL CONTENT-HUMANTIES (CH)
This course fulfills the Cultural Context-Humanities (CH) requirement of the 2003 University Studies
Program. Cultural Context-Humanties (CH) courses address ideas we have about our nature, our place in the world, and the ethical dimensions of our actions. Inherent in the humanties is a values-driven examination of human life. Through the study of written, oral, performative, and visual texts, CH courses help us to understand and think clearly about human beliefs and imaginative ideas.
GLOBAL AWARENESS (G)
This course fulfills the Global Awareness (G) requirement of the 2003/2015 University Studies Program.
Global Awareness (G) courses strive to broaden our perspectives through the exploration of viewpoints from other societies, cultures, religions, or geopolitical regions. With an eye on both historical and contemporary existence, G courses are designed to challenge our assumptions about the ways of the world and to help us understand and embrace global cultural diversity.
HOMEWORK/QUIZZES
Homework is due by the end of class following the day it is assigned. Late assignments are reduced 1 letter grade per day after due date. Quizzes over assigned reading material may be unannounced. Keep a notebook of useful vocabulary for your own reference, and to encourage retention.
ATTENDANCE
Except for excused absences attendance is mandatory. An excessive number of absences will work against your successful completion of this course.
2 unexcused absences are allowed, after which your overall course grade will be reduced by ½ letter grade (an
A becomes B+, B- becomes C). Please trust that this policy will be enforced! Excused absences are those necessitated by university-sponsored activities. Absences of an acute personal, family, or medical nature are also generally acceptable. When an absence can be foreseen, it is best to inform the instructor in advance so that appropriate plans can be made concerning make-up quizzes, homework, and, if necessary, private tutoring on missed topics.
PARTICIPATION/PREPAREDNESS
This is a relatively broad category that, of course, includes attendance, but implies a more active component.
This is expressed in general preparedness for a given day’s subject matter and readiness to present questions in an informed way over new material. Willingness to answer questions, to translate new readings, to work with fellow students in group activities, as well as in group discussions and oral translation, all are part of this component.
Preparedness includes being able to translate assigned readings in class and being ready with pertinent questions concerning difficult passages for class discussion. In-class discussion and oral translations are part of every major literary type covered in this class. This component, along with Attendance, is assigned a point value ranging from
1-10 for each class meeting. These daily point values are added together for a total point count, which is then converted to a percentage and multiplied by the 30% weighing factor shown above (in Grading System) for the overall semester component percentage.
EXAMS
There will be a midterm exam, which will be given on the date indicated on the syllabus. The midterm exam will cover, mainly, selections previously seen in class with some possible inclusions of shorter passages that have not been encountered before. There will be a final examination, which will be given on the regularly scheduled date during finals week. The final exam may contain a relatively larger portion of unfamiliar texts.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
UW Regulation 6-802. The University of Wyoming is built upon a strong foundation of integrity, respect and trust. All members of the university community have a responsibility to be honest and have the right to expect honesty from others. Any form of academic dishonesty is unacceptable to our community and will not be tolerated. Presenting work, either on homework assignments or on quizzes or tests, that is not your own or is the product of computerized (internet) translation are considered forms of academic dishonesty. Teachers and students should report suspected violations of standards of academic honesty to the instructor, department head, or dean. Other University regulations can be found at: http://www.uwyo.edu/intstudy/courses/academicdishonesty.pdf
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ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Early Alert
Early Alert gives students a chance to see a progress report of class grades within the first 4-5 weeks of the semester. In late September, you will be invited to view your Early Alert report in WYOWEB. When you click on the Students tab in WYOWEB, you will see Quick Links on the left side bar, go to EARLY ALERT grades. You will see either a P for pass, or a D or F grade for each of your courses. If you have withdrawn from the class you will see a W. Be sure to talk to your instructor if you have a D or F grade. Remember, this is a progress report— not a final grade! This is an ideal time to visit with your instructor and/or your advisor to talk about your options and avenues for support in the class (call 766-2398 for the Center for Advising & Career Services).
STEP Tutor Center
The STEP Tutor Center in Coe Library offers free evening tutoring for over 40 courses. Visit Coe Library between 6:00-10:00pm (Sun. – Thurs.) and see the STEP website for full details about tutoring opportunities and other UW resources: www.uwyo.edu/STEP .
Student Success Workshops
Come to Coe Library Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. to hear strategies for exam preparation, time management, breaking bad habits, note taking, and more. Workshops are held in classroom 121 on the lower level of Coe. For a full schedule of workshops, see http://www.uwyo.edu/studentaff/step/tutoring/workshops.pdf
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Other Important Dates:
· Last day to withdraw from classes: April 8.
· Last day to withdraw from the university: April 22.
· Advising Week: March 28-April 1.
TUTORING/SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
If you feel at any time that you cannot comprehend the material presented in class, please make an appointment to see your instructor for assistance. You may be confident that in almost every case tutoring will effectively eliminate the problem. Tutoring is also available during regularly scheduled Russian lab hours
(depending on availability of qualified student assistants), and private tutoring is also available from advanced
Russian students. Please see instructor for further information. If you have a physical, learning, or psychological disability and require accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible. You will need to register with, and provide documentation of your disability to, University Disability Support
Services (UDSS) in SEO, room 330 Knight Hall, 766-6189, TTY: 766-3073.
INSTRUCTOR
Joseph Krafczik, Department of Modern and Classical Languages; 252 Crane Hall. Please note that visits by appointment and drop-ins outside of regular office hours are welcomed and even encouraged. Office hours provide times when I am definitely available, but these are not the only times you can reach me. Regular office hours will be announced in class and posted on my office door.
Email: joseph@uwyo.edu
; Office phone: 766-6724. My mailbox is in the department mailroom, Crane 119.
The instructor reserves the right to amend, modify, or change the above, including the accompanying syllabus.
Students will be notified of any such changes at the earliest subsequent class meeting.
I have read, and understand, the above information.
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