Throughout the course, students are exploring influential events in the evolution of
Russia’s modern history and politics: new legislation and reforms resulted in the course of “perestroika”, attempted coup (GKChP) in 1991, collapse of the Soviet Union, the “ shock therapy” of 1990s, creation of CIS, 1993 Russian constitutional crisis, wars in Chechnya, Putin’s presidency and Medvedev’s presidency. Class working materials will highlight economy, domestic and foreign policy, migration, pollution and environmental protection, international and domestic terrorism, and Russian-American relations.

Students read, listen, translate, and analyze appropriate topical materials in Russian, use their acquired vocabulary/grammar knowledge and language modality skills in their monologue/dialogue speaking, group discussions, group/individual presentations, and writing. Students use authentic publications from various sources, including the Internet, as well as government and NGOs. Each student picks two topic of interest and makes presentations on his or her selected topic every week.

This course is designed and developed to explore the evolution of contemporary Russian Federation and its leaders. The goal of the course is to develop and reinforce students’ knowledge of the language aspects (vocabulary and grammar), various language modality skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing), and sociolinguistic/sociocultural competence.