Language Course Notes

Sectioning Note

In addition to Monday, Wednesday, Friday class meetings (main sections), most language courses also meet for two additional one-hour speaking sections (small group practice) each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These sections are arranged during the first week of classes to be compatible with the schedules of the students and instructors in the course. 

Sectioning in multi-sectioned language courses is determined by attendance in class during the first week and through subsequent adjustments to maintain uniform section size. There is no separate sectioning meeting for language courses. Beginning on the first day of class, sections fill on a first-come basis, so you are encouraged to attend from the first day classes meet. Students should attend the section of their choice and must continue to attend throughout the first week (or make special arrangements) to secure their places in particular sections. Students who miss classes may enter only those sections where space is available. Please note that under-enrolled sections may be canceled or rescheduled.

Pass/Fail and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Undergraduate students are generally discouraged from taking language courses Pass/Fail and may do so only after consultation with and permission from the Director of the Language Program and the course instructor. Graduate students may register on a Pass/Fail basis (as Sat/Unsat) if necessary with the permission of the Director of the Language Program and the course instructor.

Auditing

As a general rule, no auditors are permitted in Slavic language courses. If fellowship terms or other circumstances prohibit registration, students, post-docs, and faculty should speak with the Director of the Language Program to request permission to audit.

Russian Language Track

Students in the Russian program have choices as they progress from the Elementary sequences (A-level courses) to Intermediate sequences (B-level courses) to the Advanced sequences at the third-year (101-103, 102r), fourth-year (111, 112, 113, 114), and fifth-year (115-116) levels.

The Russian Aa-Ab, Russian Aab, and Russian Ata-Atb sequences all prepare students to continue in Russian Ba-Bb, Bab, or Bta-Btb.

Although single tracks such as Russian Aa-Ab to Ba-Bb, Aab to Bab, and Ata-Atb to Bta-Btb lead directly to 101-103, students may change tracks from year to year or even semester to semester as they progress (e.g., Aa to Atb, Ab to Bta, Aab to Ba or Bta, Atb to Ba, etc.). These courses all lead to the common third-year level sequence (Russian 101-103). At the fourth-year level, students may choose from a range of thematic half courses offered each semester.