C O U R S E     S Y L L A B U S

NEWS FROM RUSSIA
(Learning Russian Language and culture through  Russian mass media)

a face-to-face and on-line seminar

Dr. A.N.Bogomolov,
Professor of Education, PhD in cultural studies,
Professor of  Center of International Education
Moscow State University

COURSE DESCRIPTION & GOALS

This course is designed to help advanced-intermediate students to gain an expanded view of contemporary Russia (Russian Language and Culture) through Russian mass media.
The course develops the skills needed to understand and interpret a variety of Russian mass media, including television, newspapers, magazines, and other materials produced by Russians for mass consumption.
It devotes equal attention to three critical areas of analysis:
• reading (viewing and listening) strategies;
• vocabulary building;
• cross-cultural interpretation;
• writing annotations, summaries, essays in the personal web page http://www.dist-learn.ru/webpg;
• performing talk-shows (oral practice);
•individual and group work in the blog http://novostiizrossii.blogspot.com

In addition to group assignments, independent projects will allow students to pursue areas of personal and professional interest on their own, with regular consultation with the instructor and fellow students.
The course’s ultimate goal is to provide an expanded view of Russia today and  more diversified set of skills that will enable students to explore independently various genres of Russia media.

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

The course consists of three parts. At the beginning and ant the end of the course there will performed two tests. Depending on time (one or two semesters, or summer program) the choice and amount of themes suggested  could vary.
Themes:
Part I
-The Mass Media in contemporary Russia
-Political Overview: Structures of the State
-Official Chronicles: Visits, Meetings, Talks
-Russia and International Commerce
-War and Peace

Part II
-Image of a Politician: Whom do we choose?
-Government and the Press: Partners of Enemies?
-Television and We
Part III
-Youth of contemporary Russia
-Middle class in Russia
-Multinational Russia: Melting pot of Moscow
-Russians and the problem of tolerance

COURSE REQUIREMENTRS

Final grade includes the following parameters:
Preparation and participation                                           - 35%
Presentation of the articles in the written and oral forms    - 30%
Individual and group work in blog                                   - 10%
Vocabulary quizes                                                           - 10%
Final exam                                                                       - 15%
 
The Independent Project (optional)

The course gives you the opportunity to design and execute a semester-long independent research project on a topic of your interest, using a variety of Russian-language media sources.

STUDY MATERIAL

- Textbook  “Novosti iz Rossii-2009” by  Dr. A.Bogomolov.  Moscow, 2009;
- Video recordings and written transcript of authentic up-to-date news programs on the covered topics, authentic newspaper/magazine articles;
- On-line textbook “Russia on the Air” http://dist-learn.ru