Russian & Slavonic Studies

Russian Beginner Intensive 

This unit aims to consolidate a general foundation in the language and culture in order to cope with a range of predictable, everyday communicative situations encountered when interacting at a basic level, orally and in writing, with sympathetic native speakers during, for instance, a brief visit abroad. Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to: perform at Level A1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages understand and make themselves understood orally by a sympathetic native speaker in simple, routine, predictable situations, requesting or providing factual information, and coping with unfamiliar language or unexpected responses by asking for repetition or clarification read aloud and extract key information from short, simple texts and written documents (messages, notices, instructions, brochures, etc.) talk about holidays (e.g. places they visited, food they ate) in the past and the weather write simple notes, messages and short personal letters or emails (e.g. write a postcard to a friend, fill in a simple form) demonstrate a basic insight into the most common aspects of the culture and everyday life in the target country so as to react appropriately in simple situations demonstrate a practical understanding of essential grammar terminology and a basic ability to study the language by themselves, using essential tools such as the World Wide Web or a dictionary and developing techniques for the acquisition and retention of new language demonstrate awareness in a number of transferable skills such as IT skills, presenting information, handling simple unexpected communicative situations, taking intercultural differences and language barriers into account, learning independently, etc.

Russian Advanced 

This unit aims to consolidate an initial preparation for a prolonged professional, academic or recreational stay in a country where the language is spoken and introduces the full range of linguistic and cultural skills required to engage in authentic and spontaneous interaction with native speakers (CEF level B2)

Russian and Czech Cultures in the Age of Empire and beyond

This module gives an overview of Russian and Czech cultures with a focus on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It will critically examine the concepts of statehood, empire, nationalism, totalitarianism and democracy by studying the two nations' different experiences through visual sources, literature and language usage. It thus introduces students to topics dealt with in greater depth in optional modules at Levels 2 and 3, and helps them to learn how to analyse cultural artefacts and sources of different kinds.

Russian Intermediate 

Delivered through small-group interactive seminars and tutorials and assuming a good GCSE level in the language or equivalent, this unit aims to provide the linguistic and cultural skills required to operate effectively and accurately in all essential communicative situations encountered when interacting orally or in writing with native speakers during, for instance, a short stay abroad (CEF level A2+).

Russian Higher Advanced 1 

Delivered through small-group interactive seminars and tutorials and assuming a one-year post-A-level study of the language or equivalent, this module aims to provide a full linguistic and cultural preparation for learners wishing to undertake an extended professional, academic or recreational stay in a country where the language is spoken and to expand the range of linguistic and cultural skills required to operate effectively in most situations encountered when engaging with native speakers (CEF level B2+/C1-).

Russian Intermediate 2 

Delivered through small-group interactive seminars and tutorials and assuming successful completion of the corresponding Autumn semester unit for this level (i.e. Intermediate 1) or equivalent, this unit aims to consolidate the linguistic and cultural skills to start interacting and socializing in a fairly authentic and spontaneous way with native speakers in a range of advanced but usually predictable situations which would be encountered during, for instance, a short stay or placement abroad (CEF level B1-).

Russian Higher Advanced 2

Delivered through small-group interactive seminars and tutorials and assuming successful completion of the Higher Advanced 1 unit or equivalent, this module aims to consolidate the full linguistic and cultural preparation of learners wishing to undertake an extended professional, academic or recreational stay in a country where the language is spoken and to consolidate the full range of linguistic and cultural skills required to operate effectively in most situations encountered when engaging with native speakers (CEF level C1).

(Post-)Soviet Eurasia since 1900: Revolutions and Reactions

This module examines how the stark political and social changes in (post-)Soviet Eurasia since 1900 are reflected linguistically and culturally. We will see how the prospect and then the reality of political and social forms that considered themselves to break qualitatively with the past were spoken and thought about. You will learn to relate evidence and artefacts of various kinds, ranging from posters, film, and literary texts to eyewitness accounts, historical documents and evidence of language use. You will explore how identities are formed through the accord and tensions between grand narratives and individuals' experiences - and how these identities are variously expressed. You will thus gain the background to become fluent in the present-day cultures of Eurasia. You will evaluate how certain political, social, linguistic and wider cultural discourses evolve and gain influence; the example of (post-)Soviet Eurasia will be related to the wider world, e.g. NATO, BRICS, G7, G20. You will deliver your findings in ways appropriate to both formal and informal settings.

Russian Intermediate 1

Delivered through small-group interactive seminars and tutorials and assuming a good GCSE level in the language or equivalent, this unit aims to provide the linguistic and cultural skills required to operate effectively and accurately in all essential communicative situations encountered when interacting orally or in writing with native speakers during, for instance, a short stay abroad (CEF level A2+).

Russian Proficient 1 

Assuming a solid, two year post-A-level study of the language and, ideally, a prolonged stay in a country where the language is spoken, successful completion of the unit below (MLT01051 Russian Higher Advanced 2), or equivalent learning experience at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), this unit aims to provide the linguistic and cultural skills required to operate as a near-native speaker in the target country, whether for professional, academic or recreational purposes, and to develop strategies and techniques to become a fully autonomous, life-long learner of the language and culture. Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to: perform at Level C1+/C2- of the CEFR understand without too much difficulty any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, when delivered at standard speed understand long and complex factual or literary texts, including specialised articles and technical instructions, appreciating distinctions of style and genre take part without much effort in a specialised conversation, discussion or presentation relating to their own field of study or interest, expressing themselves fluently and idiomatically according to the context, developing an effective logical structure if necessary and conveying finer shades of meaning precisely produce a variety of professional texts (letters, reports, articles, etc.), presenting complex ideas and finer shades of meaning within an effective logical structure and with a good command of the appropriate style demonstrate an extended critical understanding of cultural, social and professional trends and associated behaviours in areas where the language is spoken so as to engage efficiently with native speakers in complex or conflictual communicative situations, whether academic, professional, or other study the language and culture fully independently for a variety of purposes, maintaining and enhancing their level of proficiency beyond the institutional framework through a personal routine of exposure to, and practise of, the language demonstrate proficiency in a number of transferable skills such as IT skills, researching, presenting and analysing information, defending an argument and negotiating, intercultural and language awareness, autonomous learning, social media communication, etc.

Russian Intermediate 2 

Delivered through small-group interactive seminars and tutorials and assuming successful completion of the corresponding Autumn semester unit for this level (i.e. Intermediate 1) or equivalent, this unit aims to consolidate the linguistic and cultural skills to start interacting and socializing in a fairly authentic and spontaneous way with native speakers in a range of advanced but usually predictable situations which would be encountered during, for instance, a short stay or placement abroad (CEF level B1-). 

Russian Proficient 2 

Assuming successful completion of the Proficient 1 unit or equivalent learning experience at level C1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), this unit aims to perfect the linguistic and cultural skills required to operate as a near-native speaker in the target country, whether for professional, academic or recreational purposes, and to consolidate the strategies and techniques to become a fully autonomous, life-long learner of the language and culture. Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to: perform at Level C2 of the CEFR understand without any difficulty any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided they have some time to get familiar with the accent read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as manuals, specialised articles and literary works take part effortlessly in any conversation, discussion or presentation, expressing themselves fluently and idiomatically according to the context, developing an effective logical structure if necessary and conveying finer shades of meaning precisely produce a variety of professional texts (letters, reports, articles, etc.), presenting complex ideas and finer shades of meaning within an effective logical structure and with an excellent command of the appropriate style demonstrate an extended critical understanding of cultural, social and professional trends and associated behaviours in areas where the language is spoken so as to engage efficiently with native speakers in complex or conflictual communicative situations, whether academic, professional, or other study the language and culture fully independently for a variety of purposes, maintaining and enhancing their level of proficiency beyond the institutional framework through a personal routine of exposure to, and practise of, the language demonstrate proficiency in a number of transferable skills such as IT skills, researching, presenting and analysing information, defending an argument and negotiating, intercultural and language awareness, autonomous learning, social media communication, etc. 

(Post-)Soviet Eurasia since 1900: Revolutions and Reactions

This module examines how the stark political and social changes in (post-)Soviet Eurasia since 1900 are reflected linguistically and culturally. We will see how the prospect and then the reality of political and social forms that considered themselves to break qualitatively with the past were spoken and thought about. You will learn to relate evidence and artefacts of various kinds, ranging from posters, film, and literary texts to eyewitness accounts, historical documents and evidence of language use. You will explore how identities are formed through the accord and tensions between grand narratives and individuals' experiences - and how these identities are variously expressed. You will thus gain the background to become fluent in the present-day cultures of Eurasia. You will evaluate how certain political, social, linguistic and wider cultural discourses evolve and gain influence; the example of (post-)Soviet Eurasia will be related to the wider world, e.g. NATO, BRICS, G7, G20. You will deliver your findings in ways appropriate to both formal and informal settings.