About the Course
Materials
Requirements
The Honor Code and Russian 002
Additional Recommended Reading
Helpful Websites
Course Syllabus
- Word Lists
Contact Information and Office Hours
Grading Scale:
| A+ 99-100 | A 93-98 | A- 90-92 |
| B+ 88-89 | B 82-87 | B- 80-81 |
| C+ 78-79 | C 72-77 | C- 70-71 |
| D+ 68-69 | D 62-67 | D- 60-61 |
| F < 59 |
Homework assignments
There is a homework assignment with each class section. These assignments are due on time unless you have prior approval from your instructor. Late assignments will be graded accordingly, and will not be accepted after the corresponding chapter test.
Your textbook is accompanied by a CD, which relates to the reading texts in the (hardback) textbook. In addition, there is also a set of tapes available only through the Language Lab (104 Dey Hall) for the exercises in your workbook and laboratory manual. In using the language lab tapes, you may either work with the tapes in the listening lab or you may bring in your own blank 60-minute tapes and receive copies free of charge. The lab allows you to make two tapes at a time. In addition, if CDs are your preferred auditory medium, you may take a blank CD to be copied in the language lab free of charge or you may purchase a copied CD for $2 per lesson.
Attendance, participation, preparedness
As with achievements in sports or music, language proficiency is acquired through daily practice. Towards that purpose, this course meets four times a week, with a goal to provide you with daily practice. For this reason, attendance is mandatory. If you must miss a class, please call or email your instructor or the office BEFORE that class. Each unexcused absence will result in six points being taken away from the attendance grade, with seven unexcused absences resulting in a failing grade for attendance.
However, the attendance and participation grade will be calculated not only on the basis of your presence in class, but also on the basis of how much and how well you are prepared, and how willing you are to participate in oral class activities. A good attendance record and active class participation are not only important components of your final grade, but, more importantly, are also essential to your learning.
Readings for each class are listed on the syllabus. Before every class, you should thoroughly read the sections to be covered and try to understand, learn, and commit to memory as much of the material and new vocabulary as possible. Please come to class prepared to ask questions on anything you do not understand. When you have done the reading in advance, class time can be used more efficiently and we will all have more fun actually speaking Russian instead of talking about speaking Russian. Of course, you are encouraged to ask questions in class or talk to your classmates about material that you still do not understand after reading through it on your own.
Quizzes
A quiz testing your knowledge of new vocabulary will be given at least once per chapter. This may consist of new vocabulary and phrases, as well as translations from English to Russian and Russian to English.
Tests
You will have one test for each chapter, which will include concepts and vocabulary from the units you have been studying. Any missed test will receive an automatic zero. If you have any conflicts with scheduled test dates, please let your instructor know well in advance so that an alternate test time can be arranged.
Midterm Oral Exam
Since languages are used for communication, the course and instructors place a special emphasis on oral usage of Russian. The midterm exam, preceded by a day of oral practice, consists of exercises similar to the ones practiced in class throughout the semester. Students can choose to take the midterm exam with the instructor during her office hours, or during class time on the day that the midterm is scheduled. Students take the midterm individually, and the students who take the midterm during the instructor’s office hours will not need to come to class on the day of the midterm. If a student misses the midterm without making prior arrangements with the instructor, the midterm will earn an automatic zero.
Final Exam
Exam day, time, and location will be announced at a later date.
It is not necessary for you to purchase a Russian-English dictionary at this time but you may wish to do so. The Oxford Russian Dictionaries are highly recommended. Oxford publishes a variety of dictionaries ranging from less expensive paperback pocket dictionaries to more complete and expensive hardback ones. Keep in mind that your textbook contains English-Russian and Russian-English glossaries which are suited to the demands of this course.
For a word file of the course policies described above, click here.
NOTE: use the back button of your browser to return to the webpage from any of the word files.
Melissa Kotacka
Email: mak@unc.edu
Office: 314 Dey Hall
Phone: 962-4416
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 2pm-3pm and by appointment
Eleonora Magomedova
Email: emagomed@email.unc.edu
Office: 416 Dey Hall
Phone: 962-7551
Office Hours: by appointment