Russian 1400: Advanced Russian Morphology

Course Description

Autumn Semester 1999 (00-1)

Instructor

David J. Birnbaum, 1417 CL, 4-5712, djb@clover.slavic.pitt.edu
Class meetings:, MWF 10:00-10:50 a.m., CL 1221
Office Hours: W 1:00-2:50 p.m. (1417 CL) and by appointment

Course Goals and Methodology

Russian 1400 is an advanced grammar course, intended to review comprehensively the basics of Russian declension and conjugation and, somewhat less comprehensively, word formation. Because an understanding of Russian morphology presupposes an understanding of phonology, the course begins with an in-depth examination of the Russian sound system. We will work through two textbooks of Russian linguistics (one on phonology and one on morphology) and learn to use different types of dictionaries, grammars, and other reference materials. The course is conducted primarily in English, and students are strongly encouraged to apply what they learn about Russian in this course to their practical use of Russian in other courses, and in other activities involving the use of Russian.

The course web page is at http://www.pitt.edu/~slavic/courses/russ1400/.

Credits and Prerequisites

Russian 1400 carries three credits and is required of all Russian majors. It is also suitable for non-majors who have a solid advanced practical knowledge of Russian, comparable to that acquired in our Department's Russian 0400 and Russian 0410. Others may be admitted with the approval of the instructor.

Required Textbooks

• William S. Hamilton. Introduction to Russian Phonology and Word Structure. Columbus: Slavica 1980.
• Maurice I. Levin. Russian Declension and Conjucation: A Structural Description with Exercises. Columbus: Slavica. 1978.

Supplementary photocopied materials will be distributed as needed over the course of the semester.

Examinations and Grading

Your course grade is determined by six basic factors and one extra-credit opportunity:

1. Classroom participation (15%). This means seizing opportunities to contribute meaningfully in class, both in response to questions and in general discussion.
2. Quizzes (15%). Unannounced five-minute quizzes on current and review material will be given at the beginning of class at least once a week, and possibly more frequently.
3. Written homework (15%). Written homework will be assigned regularly and must be handed in at the beginning of class on the day it is due. Late homework may or may not be accepted at the discretion of the instructor and, if accepted, may be marked down for tardiness. Homework will be corrected and returned promptly.
4. Midterm examination (20%). Cumulative.
5. Final examination (20%). Cumulative.
6. Research paper (15%). A ten-page research paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor is due at the beginning of the last regular class meeting (12-10). This assignment, which will be described in detail in a separate handout, may be written in English or in Russian.

Extra credit: Research papers in substantially correct Russian will raise the final course grade by one notch (e.g., B+ to A-, A- to A, etc.).

Attendance and Tardiness

Attendance is mandatory, and there is a strong correlation between regular attendance and academic success. Tardiness is disruptive, and those who arrive late regularly may not be admitted into the classroom.

Attendance is not figured into your grade explicitly, but absence or tardiness will necessarily lower your grades for classroom participation, quizzes, and homework for days when you are absent or tardy. Absence is not an excuse for late homework.

Academic Integrity

By remaining enrolled in the course, students not only agree to abide by the above stipulations, but also understand that the instructor will follow rigorously the rules spelled out in the Handbook on Integrity ( see Academic Integrity: Student Obligations )regarding cheating, plagiarism, etc. It is the students' responsibility to familiarize themselves with these regulations and to observe them, and any infraction will be penalized according to these rules. If you are uncertain about any matter concerning academic integrity, please ask your instructor.

Disabilities

Students with disabilities who require special testing accommodations or other classroom modifications must notify the instructors and the Office of Disability Resources and Services no later than Friday, September 24. Students may be asked to provide documentation of their disabilities to determine the appropriateness of their requests. The Office of Disability Resources and Services is located in 216 William Pitt Union and is available by telephone (voice or TTY) at 648-7890.