Native to 280 million people, Russian ranks with English and Chinese as one one of the three major world languages. In addition, the study of Russian can serve as a convenient entree into other Slavic languages and their cultures: once one has acquired a foundation in Russian, it is a relatively simple matter to branch off into other Slavic languages and cultural traditions.
To satisfy the Weinberg language requirement in Russian or to enroll in Russian language courses beyond 101-1, a student is required to take oral and written examinations administered by the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures.
Students who have questions about placement in Russian or need additional information should contact Elisabeth Elliott, Language Coordinator, in Slavic Languages and Literatures, phone 847-491-8082 or email: eelliott@northwestern.edu
Current language courses and their descriptions are listed below:
Russian 101 Beginning Russian
Russian 102 Intermediate Russian
Russian 203 Intermediate Russian Conversation and Composition
Russian 303 Advanced Russian Conversation and Composition
Russian Prose 359
Czech 106 Elementary Czech
Czech 206 Intermediate Czech: Language and Culture
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 107 Introduction to Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 207: Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian: Language and Culture
Polish 108 Introduction to Polish
Polish 208 Intermediate Polish: Language and Culture
Russian 101 Beginning Russian
"Do you want to travel to Russia?"
"Yeah, but there are so many other things to do. Maybe next time"
"Take your chance and do it now without leaving Evanston campus and putting other things aside."
Our new textbook Live from Moscow makes this possible. With the American student Dennis you will start your Russian trip at Moscow's International airport. Come and see what will happen in this Moscow-based soap opera.
Russian 102 Intermediate Russian
Are you interested in finding out what happens to Dennis, Tania, Olga, and Misha after first-year Russian? This course continues the soap opera with the new textbook Stage Two: Live from Moscow. Expand your knowledge of Russian grammar and learn more about Russian culture as Tanya and Misha prepare for their upcoming wedding!
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Russian 203 Intermediate Russian Conversation and Composition
You challenged yourself and you made it! It's time to get rewards. From now on you can learn about contemporary cultural and political issues in Russia. You will continue to read original texts. The textbook also has audio and related video materials. Here are some topics:
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- Gender roles in the Russian household.Dating and weddingsEducationDacha and banya
- America from a Russian perspective
Russian 303 Advanced Russian Conversation and Composition
The program for this course centers around literary works by Pushkin, Chekhov, Tolstoy and others. Each quarter a different works are read and examined. All grammar, exercises, and assignments are based on the readings. Students work on a project of an author or other cultural figure of their own choice.
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Russian Prose 359
Americans, swiftly riding through a Russian village on a troika. Is it a dream? Not at all. The grateful Russian artist depicts one of the many privately organized relief missions from America. This particular time it is a troika carrying American supplies to a Crimean town (1890). Many people receive their knowledge of Russian in an untraditional, non-academic way - through their experience: family roots, different sorts of missions in Russia, or some other informal contact with the Russian people.
Since proficiency in a foreign language requires such skills as speaking, reading and writing, this course is recommended by the department as an accelerated way to obtain the language requirement. The course is for those who want to improve their Russian, to take advantage of their unique experience and enrich it with traditional academic knowledge. The program emphasizes reading, writing and translation from English into Russian. Oral proficiency and group work also plays an important role.
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Elementary Czech 106
Czech language and culture. In this course students will learn the basic grammar of a West Slavic language, Czech, while exploring Czech culture. Basic reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Intermediate Czech: Language and Culture 206
In this course students continue to build upon the skills acquired in Elementary Czech. Readings on topics in Czech culture is a strong component in the course.
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Introduction to Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 107
A communicative approach to learning the basic grammar of B/C/S. Most material will be presented in the Latin alphabet, but students will be expected to learn the Cyrillic alphabet as well and to gain basic knowledge of the similarities and differences among B/C/S.
Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian: Language and Culture 207
Readings on topics in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. A continued emphasis on perfecting reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Readings in both the Latin and Cyrillic scripts.
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Elementary Polish 108
In this course students will acquire the basic grammar of Polish, a West Slavic language. Students will focus on grammar, reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Intermediate Polish: Language and Culture 208
Readings on topics in Polish culture and readings from Polish literature and poetry. Students will build on the knowledge acquired in Elementary Polish. Emphasis on reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
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