This course is particularly aimed at students who are interested in social and political changes in the modern world; it is designed to develop advanced reading skills necessary for understanding original Russian sources. Students will read a variety of articles and participate in follow-up discussions, focusing on different aspects of the Russian language in today's world. The following topics will be covered in the course: contemporary changes in vocabulary and grammar; non-standard variants of the Russian language (slang, Internet language, business communication); regional variants of the Russian language (old and new dialects); the Russian language outside Russia (heritage Russian); literary or standard Russian (norms and social capital); and Russian in the current political situation. Counts as a course in language and linguistics or culture and civilization.