Russian Learning Outcomes

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Linguistic competence:

The department emphasizes linguistic proficiency in the language curriculum, with the goal of educating students who can speak, write, read, and understand the Russian language and use that knowledge for academic and professional purposes.

The first year curriculum stresses communicative competence, with an attention to linguistic structure and grammar in context. (Novice-High)

The second-year curriculum builds greater communicative competence, with more in-depth attention to grammar and stylistics, and a focus on reading and writing on various topics with greater levels of complexity. (Intermediate-Low/Intermediate-Mid)

The third year curriculum, which often includes study in Russia, further develops linguistic competence, and provides a deeper understanding of the essential aspects of Russian culture, with continued emphasis on speaking, writing, reading, and understanding Russian language and culture. (Intermediate-Mid/Intermediate-High)

At the seminar level, students are able to apply their linguistic and cultural knowledge to the study of selected literary or cultural texts, with attention to secondary sources in Russian. (Intermediate-High/Advanced-Low)

Cultural competence, research skills, critical thinking:

The department offers courses that explore Russian literature and culture in translation.

Students taking these courses will gain:

  • a background in essential literary and cultural offerings of Russia's past and present
  • an understanding of global and non-Western approaches to literature and culture
  • the ability to synthesize and integrate various disciplinary approaches in the study of Russian culture.

Advanced Russian language students often bring their linguistic skills and knowledge of Russian literature and culture to research in other disciplines.


Outcomes approved Fall 2017. Webpage updated 11/20/2017

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