LN100 One Unit
Russian Language and Society 3 (advanced)
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Olga Sobolev
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Geography, BA in Social Anthropology, BSc in Economic History, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Economics and Economic History, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Relations and History, BSc in Language, Culture and Society, BSc in Social Anthropology, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study, Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley and MA in Modern History. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is available with permission to General Course students.
Students can take this course in any year of their studies following approval from the teacher responsible.
Priority will be given to Language Centre BSc students and students from other Departments following a Language Specialism.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis.
Requisites
Assumed prior knowledge:
Language skills and knowledge of Russian at B1/B2 level of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages are required.
Additional requisites:
Completion of the Russian Language and Society 2 (Intermediate) course (LN102); or a good pass at A Level or its equivalent is required. An interview with the course co-ordinator prior to registration is compulsory.
Course content
Advanced study of the Russian language within the framework of social sciences and culture. In a dynamic and communicative way the course develops all four language skills (i.e. speaking, listening, reading and writing) through individual and group work, topical discussions, authentic and web-based multi-media materials. The focus is on accuracy as well as communication that advance students’ language competence, transferable skills and cultural awareness.
Teaching
40 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
40 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.
4 hours of classes in the Spring Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
Four hours per week, which will feature: (a) interactive topical work; (b) oral practice; (c) grammar and vocabulary work; (d) tutorials; and (e) guided study using multi-media and web-based materials. Structured activities during the reading week.
Formative assessment
Students will be required to complete weekly language exercises.
Indicative reading
- Colloquial Russian 2, by Olga Sobolev, Natasha Bershadski et al, Routledge, 2018
Additional:
- Russian media sources on the web;
- Terence Wade, A Comprehensive Russian Grammar (Blackwell, 2010);
- Jeffrey Brooks, The Firebird and the Fox: Russian Culture under Tsars and Bolsheviks (Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Assessment
Exam (30%), duration: 90 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Oral examination (30%)
Continuous assessment (40%)
Language courses map to the Common European Framework for Language Learning. This framework defines linguistic proficiency in the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) at different levels. To pass this course, students are therefore required to achieve a pass mark in each element of the assessment (continuous assessment, oral and written exams), as these test all four skills.
Key facts
Department: Language Centre
Course Study Period: Autumn, Winter and Spring Term
Unit value: One unit
FHEQ Level: Level 4
CEFR Level: B2
Total students 2024/25: 7
Average class size 2024/25: 7
Capped 2024/25: Yes(16)Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills