LN101 One Unit
Russian Language and Society 1 (beginner)
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 International Relations, BSc in International Relations and History, BSc in Language, Culture and Society, BSc in Social Anthropology, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. 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.
Available as an outside option to all undergraduate and General Course students. Students can take this course in any year of their studies subject to their programme regulations, and 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
Additional requisites:
No previous knowledge of Russian is required; students with limited prior knowledge may be considered for the course subject to an interview with the course co-ordinator.
Course content
Beginners to higher intermediate 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
60 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.
6 hours of classes in the Spring Term.
60 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
Six hours per week, which will feature: (a) interactive topic work; (b) oral classes; (c) grammar classes; (d) tutorials; and (e) guided study using multi-media and web-based materials. Structured activities during the reading week.
Students should note that the timetable will be kept extremely flexible to accommodate students from all departments. Please contact the teacher responsible if you would like to follow this language course.
Formative assessment
Students will be required to complete weekly language exercises.
Indicative reading
- LSE Study Pack
- Colloquial Russian, by Svetlana Le Fleming, Susan Kay & Mikhail Vodopyanov, Routledge, 2023
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: A2
Total students 2024/25: 7
Average class size 2024/25: 7
Capped 2024/25: Yes(12)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