About RUSS 2990 A
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
Notes
Prereq: RUSS 2200 or equivalent; Special Topics courses cannot carry CC designations. PACE students by permission and override.
Section Description
This course is designed for learners at the Novice High to Intermediate level and higher (based on the ACTFL proficiency scale https://www.actfl.org/uploads/files/general/ACTFLProficiencyGuidelines2012.pdf (p. 13-14). You should already have some foundation in basic Russian grammar, including verb conjugation, case endings, a beginner’s vocabulary, basic understanding of how words are formed. This course will teach you to identify the building blocks of Russian words (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), which will help you infer the meaning of unfamiliar words based on familiar roots. As a result, you will expand your active and passive vocabulary by about 300 words (~ 20 words each week) and improve your reading comprehension skills. Synonyms and antonyms are also included, if relevant, to enrich your vocabulary further and enhance your reading and listening comprehension. In addition, students will learn a Contextual Reading Strategy that teaches them to use the structure to unlock the meaning of a sentence, even if most of its words are unfamiliar. In other words, this system will train you to use what you already know to interpret what you don't know. As a result, it will significantly boost your overall reading comprehension. Due to its specific features, the Contextual Reading Strategy is particularly effective with the word-root system. Thus, we’ll utilize both to expand your vocabulary and improve reading comprehension.
Section Expectation
By the end of this course, students will expand their active and passive vocabulary by about 300 new words, develop the ability to identify words derived from common roots, and infer their meanings based on the semantic meaning of the roots. Be able to identify various word-building components: roots, prefixes, suffixes, and endings.
Develop skills to deduce the meanings of unfamiliar words based on the meaning of words’ building blocks. They will improve reading comprehension and increase reading fluency, master the essential grammar: verb conjugation, noun/adjective declension. Students are expected to improve cultural awareness and sensitivity. To understand the nuanced meanings conveyed by different prefixes and suffixes and communicate more accurately and effectively, gain more confidence in speaking Russian, and become more comfortable with spontaneous Russian. They will improve their overall language proficiency level in speaking and reading comprehension.
Evaluation
Attendance 15%
Active Participation 15%
Homework 50%
Weekly vocabulary quizzes 20%
Important Dates
Note: These dates may change before registration begins.
Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.
| Last Day to Add | |
|---|---|
| Last Day to Drop | |
| Last Day to Withdraw with 50% Refund | |
| Last Day to Withdraw with 25% Refund | |
| Last Day to Withdraw |
Resources
Remind Me Form
Remind yourself about RUSS 2990 A.
We'll send you a reminder before Fall 2026 registration begins.