78673 - Russian Linguistics 1 (LM)

Learning outcomes

Students show an advanced competency in the Russian language that allows them to move confidently in all communicative spheres as well as to carry out their professional activities in Russian-speaking contexts. They know the morphosyntactic structures of the language in a deepened way and are familiar with the lexical, stylistic and pragmatic analysis of great complexity oral and written texts that may include substandard and specialized languages. Their linguistic competence progress indicatively up to the level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference, which allows students to effectively interpret the partner-linguistic and cultural codes in any subject within a communicative relationship.

Course contents

In the first year, the course focuses on the analysis of various non-literary text types from a morphosyntactic, stylistic and argumentative point of view. The course is divided into two parts: analysis of the textual macrostructure and microstructure (see the course owner's manual in bibliography). The analysis will move from the simplest to the most complex textual models to allow a gradual deepening of linguistic structures.

The aim of the course will be the development of analytical skills through reading and writing. The approach will be the communicative one, adopted by Perotto M., N.S. Valgina (see bibliography).

The microanalysis  will focus on the in-depth study of complex linguistic structures (syntax, use of participles and gerunds, indeterminate and negative pronouns, numerals, prefixed verbs). Lexical items and phraseology relevant to the various types of text under examination will also be worked on. All material will be made available online on the Virtuale Platform, but the lectures will not be recorded and different programmes will not be provided for non-attenders. Attendance at lectures is not compulsory, but highly recommended especially for text analysis.

To the theoretical course is combined a practical linguistic training (36 hours), which allows the student to achieve good oral and written skills, referring to the analyzed subjects.

Course and exam language: Russian.

Practical sessions complement the theoretical course and focus on applying linguistic knowledge when working with contemporary Russian-language texts and real-life communication situations.
The course is based on practical work with authentic materials from various genres and spheres of communication: comparative analysis, interpretation, editing and reworking of texts, adapting messages to the addressee and the communicative situation, and discussing and justifying linguistic choices.
Particular attention is paid to the relationship between linguistic choice, the communicative task and the recipient’s perception of the text. The practical work draws on elements of functional stylistics, communicative-pragmatic and psycholinguistic analysis, as well as knowledge in the field of intercultural communication.

The course consists of 10 practical workshops, 5 sessions devoted to student projects, and a final written assignment in the last session. Each workshop constitutes a self-contained thematic unit and is based on working with specific linguistic material.

Readings/Bibliography

Main bibliography:

Perotto Monica, Kommunikativnyj analiz nechudožestvennogo teksta dlja studentov-magistrantov RKI. Firenze University Press, 2023 open access on FUP:

https://books.fupress.com/catalogue/-------/13973

VALGINA N. S., Teorija teksta, Мoskva 2003 (https://evartist.narod.ru/text14/01.htm) and online materials.

Optional bibliography:

Kolesova D., Shchukina A., Zdravstvujte, kollegi! Здравствуйте, коллеги! Учебное пособие по русскому языку B2-C1, Zlatoust 2021 [https://www.globolibri.it/negozio/libri-russi/studio-russo/conversazione/zdravstvujte-kollegi-kolesova-scukina-9785907123847/]

- FICI GIUSTI F., GEBERT L., SIGNORINI S., La lingua russa. Storia, struttura, tipologia , La nuova Italia Scientifica, Firenze 1991.

- PEROTTO M., KOVALJOVA N., I numerali nella lingua russa , Aracne Editore, Roma 2005.

- PESSINA LONGO H., AVERJANOVA G.N., ROGOVA K., Principi della comunicazione scientifica in lingua russa , Clueb, Bologna 1995.

- POUTSILEVA L., Lessico russo, lessicologia e fraseologia , Clueb, Bologna 2003.

- BUTORINA E.P., KARNAUCH N.L. (2015) Russkij jazyk i kul’tura delovoj reči. Spravočnik-praktikum. Moskva: Termika. 

 Materials for the practical lessons (lettorato): Materials prepared by the teacher and posted on the Virtuale platform will be used as teaching material.

Teaching methods

Lessons will be in presence and in Russian language and as interactive as possible (analytical and communicative method). The students will be required to read and analyze the previously assigned material on their own and in the classroom the texts will be read and analyzed collectively. It will be possible to make critical use of AI to evaluate text analysis during its preparatory phase.

The use of audio texts is recommended to develop listening skills and improve pronunciation. Text analysis exercises will be assigned throughout the course, which students can complete independently and have corrected by the instructor. On the Platform Virtuale you will be able to consult examples of analyses that have already been carried out and corrected.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of two parts: theoretical and practical language assessment (see below practical course). Passing the written test remains valid for 4 sessions and is a prerequisite for admission to the oral test. The final mark that will be recorded will consist of the average of the marks from the written and the oral exam, including the language assessment relating to the lecture course. Both marks must be positive in order to average out.

The written exam (3 hours) will deal with analysis of one text about the subjects dealt within the course, to be carried out with the aid of a bilingual or monolingual dictionary, but without a computer.

In accordance with the Guidelines on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) provided by the University of Bologna, Profile 1 will be applied to exams: "The use of AI tools during the exam is prohibited in any form, including chatbots, text generators, advanced translators, content synthesizers, and tools integrated into devices. Any use of AI is considered a violation of the principle of honesty and fairness set forth in the Policy and may result in the cancellation of the exam by the instructor, who remains responsible for verifying the validity of the exam.” (AI Policy: https://www.unibo.it/en/university/statute-standards-strategies-and-reports/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence)

The written exam will evaluate the analytical, stylistic and morpho-syntactic competence of the student. Getting through the written exam will give access to the oral exam, included the linguistic assessment.

Oral exam will consist in the discussion of a text, autonomously prepared by the student, but agreed with the teacher, which will be discussed and analysed at the oral presentation. 

Practical course exam: 

Oral component — a project assignment carried out throughout the course. The project is undertaken mainly in pairs and focuses on a specific issue in the modern Russian language and communication. Students formulate a research question, select linguistic material, carry out an analysis and present the results to the group. When preparing the project collaboratively, each participant’s contribution and oral defence are assessed individually. Following the presentation of the project, there is a question-and-answer session and discussion with the group.The written component consists of an individual assignment during the final session (90 minutes). Students are given a communication dossier, the contents of which are unknown to them in advance, comprising an authentic text or several related text materials and a description of a specific communicative situation. The task assesses the ability to apply the knowledge and analytical tools learnt on the course to new material, rather than merely reproducing theoretical definitions.

Teaching tools

Multimedial tools (audio and video materials), web sites about the diffusion of foreign mass media in Russia. All the materials are loaded on the platform Virtuale.

Non-substantial use of generative AI is permitted. Non-substantial use: This occurs when GenAI is used merely as a tool to support the productivity of academic activities. For example, it constitutes non-substantial use when GenAI is used to gather information on a specific scientific or educational topic, or as a language or translation assistant, excluding cases in which such activities represent an essential aspect of research or education.

In this regard, please refer to the University Policy: https://www.unibo.it/en/university/statute-standards-strategies-and-reports/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and your professor immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.

Any requests for accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer and copying (Cc) the email address [disabilita@unibo.it](mailto:disabilita@unibo.it) (in case of disability) or [dsa@unibo.it](mailto:dsa@unibo.it) (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

Office hours

See the website of Monica Perotto