Russian 001
Beginning Intensive Russian
FALL 2026

M/W/F 11:30-12:20, Kohlberg 330
T/Th 11:20-12:35, Kohlberg 318

Maria Alley
Office: Kohlberg 117B
(610) 328-8406
malley1@swarthmore.edu

Office Hours, Fall 2026: Monday, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Or by appointment (arrange by e-mail)

Sibelan Forrester
Office: Kohlberg 340
(610) 328-8162
sforres1@swarthmore.edu

Office Hours, Fall 2024:
Monday 1:00-2:00
Tuesday, 2:00-3:00
Thursday, 10:00-11:00
(NB: I can be available via Zoom for consultation, but let me know to open my Zoom Room and send you an invitation) ...or by appointment

This online version of our class syllabus is abbreviated and lacks many essential details that you'll find on the course Moodle page. The syllabus at the top of the Moodle page is the authoritative version and will be updated as necessary. We'll try to update this one too, but check Moodle first if you have questions! The Moodle page has links where you can submit completed homework assignments for the course and links to other resources for learning Russian. Let us know immediately if you have any trouble accessing the Moodle site.

There are no prerequisites for this course. Please note that credit for any 001 language course is not awarded until you have received a passing grade for the second semester (002). Students must register for both parts of the course (MWF and TTh, so: meeting five days a week); if other classes in your schedule interferes with part of the coursework, now or later, talk to us about making arrangements that will allow you to continue studying Russian.

The Russian language sequence at Swarthmore aims to bring students (at a minimum) to the intermediate-mid level in all four modalities (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in two years of intensive study. The Russian Program also offers courses on literature in translation, various topics in Russian culture, and upper-level seminars taught in the language.
Once you successfully complete the first-year sequence you will be able to:

• Understand simple conversations on predictable topics, such as daily routine, family, school and work; understand simple announcements, radio and TV advertisements, and brief news items. (= listening)
• Express immediate needs and interests in complete sentences; hold a conversation about daily routine, family, school and work; discuss basic likes and dislikes; manage simple transactions in stores, museums, post offices, libraries, dormitories, etc. (= speaking)
• Read signs and public notices; understand printed advertisements and notices; get a topical understanding of brief articles, news reports, weather reports; understand longer texts if you take some time and use a dictionary. (= reading)
• Handwrite and type in Russian; write short notes to acquaintances, such as invitations, thank-you notes, and simple directions; write letters and short essays about oneself, daily routine, home, family, school and work. (= writing)

Success in this course requires:

• Daily homework, completing the exercises on the UCLA website and posting to the Moodle page,
• Daily memorization of words and grammatical structures,
• Commitment to a daily study routine,
• Writing Russian in cursive script,
• Typing in Russian (using your choice of keyboard maps - ask us if you need suport here),
• Willingness to make mistakes and take risks,
• A positive attitude about error correction,
• Cooperation in moving towards an all-Russian in-class environment.

Fall 2026 Disability Statement:
If you believe you need accommodations for a disability or a chronic medical condition, please visit the Student Disability Services website for details about the accommodations process. Since accommodations require early planning and are not retroactive, contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. You are also welcome to contact us privately to discuss your academic needs. However, all disability-related accommodations must be arranged, in advance, through Student Disability Services.

Required Materials for the course:

• Beginner’s Russian textbook, by Kudyma, Miller and Kagan. On sale at the college bookstore. (The “interactive workbook” for the course is online, at the link above.)
• A notebook or laptop or tablet to take notes. At first we will be requiring lots of handwriting; that could work with a tablet - let us know if you have technical questions.
• A 3-ring binder or a big folder for handouts. We recommend a 3-ring binder, which eventually makes it easier to find specific items. You will receive a number of handouts during the semester; we might ask you to take these out any time you are in class.
• A pencil for handwritten work makes erasure and correction easier. (Though a pen – especially a gel, rollerball or fountain pen that won’t force you to cramp down as a ballpoint pen can – makes it easier to write cursive beautifully. And why do it if it's not beautiful?)
• You will need internet access to do your online homework. If you wish, you may purchase a set of Cyrillic keyboard stickers (transparent) or a silicone keyboard cover to speed up learning the keyboard.
• A Russian-English dictionary; physical or online, as you prefer. We can offer some recommendations.

Course grading:

• Attendance and participation: 20%
• Homework: 25%
• Daily quizzes: 10%
• Weekly assessments: 30%
• Final examination: 15%

In an intensive language course, regular attendance (without tardiness!) is as essential as regularly completing your homework. We will take attendance; if absence or tardiness become issues it will impact your grade in the class. If you are sick or must miss class for any other reason, please let us know as far in advance as possible and complete your homework ahead of time if you can. Likewise, if you will need to leave class early. The syllabus makes clear what the assignments are for every day of the semester.

Keep in mind that participation in class is essential for learning! Speak up even if you feel uncertain; imitate the intonation we model for you (it's not rude to imitate!); try to answer questions with complete phrases and sentences. The more you speak, the more you will learn.

We will move toward using only Russian in class as much as possible. The more you hear and speak Russian, the more you will gain knowledge, understanding and fluency!

The Office of Academic Success makes tutoring sessions for language courses available at no cost to students. The tutors are upper-level Russian students (and this could be you in a few years: tutoring is a paid job on campus), or qualified native speakers. We’ll announce the availability in class, but ask us proactively if you wish. Note that tutoring can address any area of competence in the language, and like the College’s WA program it is not limited to students who are having trouble with the class.

Russian Table: Attend as often as you can, for the same reasons. Besides hearing and practicing the language, attending Russian table is a way to meet more advanced students of the language, as well as heritage and native speakers and various faculty who speak Russian.

Other events: We have some very exciting events planned for the semester! They will be announced in class and also in the detailed syllabus on the Moodle page.

Note that there will be a Friday test most weeks, though not in the first week of the semester. Plan your vacation travel accordingly, especially on the Friday before Fall Break (October 9).
Every week there will be a composition to draft, then revise and resubmit, and there will be frequent oral assessments. Details will be on the course Moodle page. Keep us posted about what you find most helpful!

Russian 001 Abbreviated Syllabus – Fall 2024

Week 1 – August 31 - September 4
Beginner’s Russian Units 1-2.

Неделя 2 — 7-11 сентября
Beginner’s Russian Units 1-2.

Неделя 3 — 14-18 сентября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 3.

Неделя 4 — 21-25 сентября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 4.

Неделя 5 — 28 сентября - 2 октября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 5.

Неделя 6 — 5-9 октября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 6.

ОСЕННИЙ ПЕРЕРЫВ! - FALL BREAK!

Неделя 7 — 19-23 октября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 7.

Неделя 8 — 26-30 октября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 8.

Неделя 9 — 2-6 ноября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 9.

Неделя 10 — 9-13 ноября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 10.

Недели 11 — 16-20 ноября
Beginner’s Russian Unit 11.

Недели 12-13 — 23-25 ноября (День Благодарения!), 30 ноября - 4 декабря и 7-9 декабря
Beginner’s Russian Unit 12.

The final oral exam will be scheduled individually during the Reading Period. Final Examination will be on the forthcoming schedule from the Registrar, TBA. Watch this space.

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