Russian 1
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at first-year students and consists of lectures (corso monografico) and practical language classes (esercitazioni). Lectures aim to present the structure and the functioning of the basic Russian morphology. Specifically, during the lectures the principles of Russian phonetics will be presented; the categories of the case and the verb will be focused. Part of the course will develop the basic vocabulary of Russian language. Practical language classes aim to develop comprehension and production skills, both oral and written, at A1 level.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: the basic principles of Russian phonetic; the structural and semantic particularities connected to the category of the case; the category of the verb in relation to conjunction, reflexive verbs, time of verbs, some irregular verbs, the perfective and imperfective aspects (only considering the expression of the result and of the process), the meaning of the main verbs of motions (without prefixes), some verbal regency, the introduction to the verbal modality in Russian. Applying knowledge and understanding: at the end of lectures students will be able to recognize and to use in practice the acquired morphological structures, as well as, to explain their functioning and function within the sentence. They will be also able to analyze simple texts in Russian from lexical and morphological point of view. Practical language classes will develop the ability to converse on topics of daily life, to read and understand simple texts, to write under dictation, to produce dialogues, stories, short texts (written and oral). The developed linguistic skills will correspond to the first level (A1) of the official standard established by the Council of Europe for the knowledge of foreign languages.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course is entitled "Fundamentals of Russian Phonetics and Morphology."
It constitutes the first year of a three-year programme that, as a whole, aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the phonetics, morphology, and syntax of both simple and complex sentences in Russian.
More specifically, the course is divided into the following three units, which will be taught sequentially:
A. Fundamentals of Russian phonetics; the grammatical category of case (Part I); introduction to the verbal system.
B. The grammatical category of case (Part II); irregular verbs; reflexive verbs; introduction to verbal aspect.
C. The main verbs of motion; the principal modal verbs; numerals (including dates and telling the time); adverbs; Russian morphological terminology.
The course is worth 9 ECTS credits. It is not possible to obtain only 6 ECTS credits.
Unit A
After introducing the fundamentals of Russian phonetics, this unit covers the grammatical categories of gender, number, and case. Particular attention is devoted to the meanings and principal uses of the nominative, prepositional, and accusative cases, both with and without prepositions. Students will study the declension of nouns, adjectives, and pronouns in the prepositional and accusative cases.
The unit also introduces the verb "to be", the construction expressing possession, and the fundamentals of the Russian verbal system, including verb classes, tenses, and conjugation patterns.
Unit B
This unit examines the meanings and principal uses of the genitive, dative, and instrumental cases, both with and without prepositions, together with the declension of nouns, adjectives, and pronouns in these cases.
Students will also study reflexive verbs, selected irregular verbs, the phenomenon of consonant alternation, and the distinction between the perfective and imperfective aspects, limited to their expression of process and result.
Unit C
The final unit focuses on the meanings and use of the principal verbs of motion (without prefixes), the government of selected verbs, the use and meanings of the most common prepositions, and the principal modal verbs.
It also covers cardinal numerals (in the nominative and accusative cases), ordinal numerals, the expression of dates and time, adverbs, and Russian morphological terminology.
The course syllabus is valid until September 2028.
It constitutes the first year of a three-year programme that, as a whole, aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the phonetics, morphology, and syntax of both simple and complex sentences in Russian.
More specifically, the course is divided into the following three units, which will be taught sequentially:
A. Fundamentals of Russian phonetics; the grammatical category of case (Part I); introduction to the verbal system.
B. The grammatical category of case (Part II); irregular verbs; reflexive verbs; introduction to verbal aspect.
C. The main verbs of motion; the principal modal verbs; numerals (including dates and telling the time); adverbs; Russian morphological terminology.
The course is worth 9 ECTS credits. It is not possible to obtain only 6 ECTS credits.
Unit A
After introducing the fundamentals of Russian phonetics, this unit covers the grammatical categories of gender, number, and case. Particular attention is devoted to the meanings and principal uses of the nominative, prepositional, and accusative cases, both with and without prepositions. Students will study the declension of nouns, adjectives, and pronouns in the prepositional and accusative cases.
The unit also introduces the verb "to be", the construction expressing possession, and the fundamentals of the Russian verbal system, including verb classes, tenses, and conjugation patterns.
Unit B
This unit examines the meanings and principal uses of the genitive, dative, and instrumental cases, both with and without prepositions, together with the declension of nouns, adjectives, and pronouns in these cases.
Students will also study reflexive verbs, selected irregular verbs, the phenomenon of consonant alternation, and the distinction between the perfective and imperfective aspects, limited to their expression of process and result.
Unit C
The final unit focuses on the meanings and use of the principal verbs of motion (without prefixes), the government of selected verbs, the use and meanings of the most common prepositions, and the principal modal verbs.
It also covers cardinal numerals (in the nominative and accusative cases), ordinal numerals, the expression of dates and time, adverbs, and Russian morphological terminology.
The course syllabus is valid until September 2028.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed.
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered in Alpha mode, meaning that it will be conducted entirely in person. It will be based on face-to-face lectures.
The topics will be presented from a theoretical perspective, supported by examples, and analysed within texts in Russian language. Students will complete grammar exercises and translation tasks from Italian into Russian.
Part of the course will be devoted to the development of basic Russian vocabulary through the reading and analysis of texts discussed in class.
The course is also complemented by practical language classes; for further information, please refer to the dedicated section.
The topics will be presented from a theoretical perspective, supported by examples, and analysed within texts in Russian language. Students will complete grammar exercises and translation tasks from Italian into Russian.
Part of the course will be devoted to the development of basic Russian vocabulary through the reading and analysis of texts discussed in class.
The course is also complemented by practical language classes; for further information, please refer to the dedicated section.
Teaching Resources
The course has a dedicated website on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://ariel.unimi.it/), where students can find announcements and additional teaching materials provided by the instructor.
Bibliography for the Monographic Course:
1. Lecture slides covering the grammatical topics discussed during the course, which will be made available on the Ariel platform.
2. Texts used and analysed in class, which will also be uploaded to the Ariel platform.
3. Texts for compulsory independent study: a set of 20 pages that will be made available on the Ariel platform but will not be covered during class.
4. N. Nikitina, E. Freda Piredda, Grammatica d'uso della lingua russa. Teoria ed esercizi. Livello A1, Hoepli, Milan, 2017.
5. N. Nikitina, Esercizi di Russo. Livello A1, Hoepli, Milan, 2023.
6. F. Fici, S. Fedotova, La lingua russa del 2000 (Expanded New Edition), Vol. 1, Le Lettere, Florence, 2008. Students are required to study only the following sections:
Part One, Chapters 1-15 (pp. 19-79);
Part One, Chapter 20 (pp. 127-134);
Part One, Chapter 22 (pp. 139-140).
7. F. Fici, N. Žukova, La lingua russa del 2000, Vol. 2 (Grammatica e comunicazione), Le Lettere, Florence, 2009. Students are required to study only the following section:
Part One, Chapter 1 ("The Adjective"), pp. 13-31.
Students who prefer to study from a Russian-language textbook may replace the texts listed under items 6 and 7 with the following:
- N. M. Pul'kina, E. B. Zakhava-Nekrasova (ed. P. S. Kuznetsov), Učebnik russkogo jazyka dlja studentov-inostrancev (Praktičeskaja grammatika s upražnenijami), Moscow: Vyssšaja škola, 1960.
From this textbook, students are required to study only the sections corresponding to the topics included in the course syllabus.
Bibliography for the Practical Language Classes
1. Dario Magnati, Francesca Legittimo, Davajte! Comunicare in russo 1, Hoepli, Milan, 2017.
2. Teaching materials provided by the language instructors conducting the practical classes (these materials will be uploaded to the Ariel platform).
3. Dictionary (recommended but not compulsory):
Vl. Kovalev, Dizionario italiano-russo / russo-italiano con CD, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2014.
Information for Non-Attending Students
The syllabus for non-attending students is identical to that for attending students. Non-attending students are strongly encouraged to contact the course instructor at the beginning of the course.
Bibliography for the Monographic Course:
1. Lecture slides covering the grammatical topics discussed during the course, which will be made available on the Ariel platform.
2. Texts used and analysed in class, which will also be uploaded to the Ariel platform.
3. Texts for compulsory independent study: a set of 20 pages that will be made available on the Ariel platform but will not be covered during class.
4. N. Nikitina, E. Freda Piredda, Grammatica d'uso della lingua russa. Teoria ed esercizi. Livello A1, Hoepli, Milan, 2017.
5. N. Nikitina, Esercizi di Russo. Livello A1, Hoepli, Milan, 2023.
6. F. Fici, S. Fedotova, La lingua russa del 2000 (Expanded New Edition), Vol. 1, Le Lettere, Florence, 2008. Students are required to study only the following sections:
Part One, Chapters 1-15 (pp. 19-79);
Part One, Chapter 20 (pp. 127-134);
Part One, Chapter 22 (pp. 139-140).
7. F. Fici, N. Žukova, La lingua russa del 2000, Vol. 2 (Grammatica e comunicazione), Le Lettere, Florence, 2009. Students are required to study only the following section:
Part One, Chapter 1 ("The Adjective"), pp. 13-31.
Students who prefer to study from a Russian-language textbook may replace the texts listed under items 6 and 7 with the following:
- N. M. Pul'kina, E. B. Zakhava-Nekrasova (ed. P. S. Kuznetsov), Učebnik russkogo jazyka dlja studentov-inostrancev (Praktičeskaja grammatika s upražnenijami), Moscow: Vyssšaja škola, 1960.
From this textbook, students are required to study only the sections corresponding to the topics included in the course syllabus.
Bibliography for the Practical Language Classes
1. Dario Magnati, Francesca Legittimo, Davajte! Comunicare in russo 1, Hoepli, Milan, 2017.
2. Teaching materials provided by the language instructors conducting the practical classes (these materials will be uploaded to the Ariel platform).
3. Dictionary (recommended but not compulsory):
Vl. Kovalev, Dizionario italiano-russo / russo-italiano con CD, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2014.
Information for Non-Attending Students
The syllabus for non-attending students is identical to that for attending students. Non-attending students are strongly encouraged to contact the course instructor at the beginning of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written + Oral Examination
The examination consists of a written test and an oral test. The final grade will be the average of the two marks, both expressed on a 30-point scale.
The written examination may be taken starting from the end of the course, i.e. from May 2027. The oral examination may be taken starting from June 2027.
Students who attend regularly (active participation in at least 80% of the total lectures and practical classes) are eligible to take the midterm examinations, which replace only the general written examination. The first midterm is held at the end of the first semester, and the second at the end of the second semester. In this case, the final written examination grade is calculated as the average of the grades obtained in the two midterms.
To be admitted to the second midterm, students must not only have attended at least 80% of the lectures and practical classes in the second semester, but must also have passed the first midterm.
Students who fail either of the two midterms must take the entire general written examination during one of the official examination sessions (June, September, or January).
First Midterm Examination
The first midterm includes:
- Grammar exercises covering the topics studied during the first semester. The exercises include multiple-choice questions, gap-filling tasks, and agreement exercises involving the different elements of the sentence.
- Translation of short sentences from Italian into Russian (without the use of a dictionary).
- Questions on grammatical theory covering the topics studied during the first semester. The questions will be in Italian, with examples in Russian, and will include open-ended questions, multiple-choice questions, and true/false questions.
Second Midterm Examination
The second midterm includes:
- Dictation.
- Grammar exercises covering the topics studied during the second semester. The exercises include multiple-choice questions, gap-filling tasks, and agreement exercises involving the different elements of the sentence.
Questions on grammatical theory covering the topics studied during the second semester. The questions will be in Italian, with examples in Russian, and will include open-ended questions, multiple-choice questions, and true/false questions.
- Translation from Italian into Russian (without the use of a dictionary) of sentences containing the grammatical topics covered throughout the academic year.
- Writing a short composition (minimum 100 words) without the use of a dictionary. The assigned topic will require the use of the vocabulary encountered during the practical classes.
General Written Examination
Students who do not take the midterms, or who fail one of them, must sit the general written examination, which consists of both parts described above in a single examination.
To pass either the midterm examinations or the general written examination, students must obtain a passing mark in every section of the examination.
The assessment of the written examination will take into account:
- the accuracy of grammatical structures;
- the command of the vocabulary covered in the monographic course and the practical language classes;
- the ability to write a short text that demonstrates coherence and cohesion;
- the ability to explain theoretical concepts relating to Russian morphology and to illustrate them through the correct use of linguistic structures.
Oral Examination
The oral examination consists of an interview covering the course syllabus and is designed to assess both the student's theoretical and practical language skills.
Students must independently prepare 20 pages of Russian-language texts, following the model used in class. These texts will be made available on the course MyAriel page.
During the oral examination, students will be required to:
1. Read aloud an excerpt from the prepared texts. Passing the reading test is a prerequisite for proceeding to the subsequent parts of the oral examination.
2. Present orally, in Russian, the content of one of the texts included in the 20 pages.
3. Identify and analyse the texts morphologically (using Russian grammatical terminology), focusing on the sentence elements covered during the course, such as the gender, number and case of nouns, adjectives and pronouns, as well as verb tense and conjugation.
4. Answer questions on grammatical theory related to the topics covered during the course. This part may be conducted in Italian, with practical examples in Russian.
5. Hold a conversation in Russian on a topic assigned directly during the examination. The assigned topics presuppose knowledge of the vocabulary covered during the practical classes.
Languages of the examination: Russian and Italian.
The oral examination will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- the ability to converse fluently on the topics covered in the course;
- accurate application of the grammatical structures studied during the course;
- knowledge of the vocabulary related to the topics covered in both the lecture course and the language practice classes;
- the ability to translate orally the texts assigned for independent study and to summarize their content in Russian;
- the ability to analyse texts accurately with regard to the morphological structures covered in the course;
- the ability to present the grammatical topics studied during the course in depth and with critical awareness, and to explain them clearly through the use of appropriate examples.
Continuous Assessment for Students Attending Practical Classes.
Students who actively attend at least 80% of the practical classes will not be required to complete Part 5 of the oral examination (conversation in Russian), as this component will be replaced by continuous assessment throughout the academic year.
During the practical classes, students will prepare and present assignments set by the instructor and answer oral questions. These presentations and assignments will be assessed continuously (with the following grades: Fail, Satisfactory, Fair, Good, Excellent) and will contribute to the final examination grade.
All the other components of the oral examination (Parts 1-4) must be completed during the official examination sessions by all students, whether attending or non-attending.
The results of the continuous assessment will be communicated to students at the midpoint and at the end of each semester.
Students who do not receive continuous assessment for the oral component (or who decline the grade awarded) must complete the conversation with the native-speaker instructor (Part 5) according to a schedule that will be announced at the beginning of the course.
To register for the conversation examination (Part 5), students who have not received continuous assessment must register at least one week before the scheduled examination date by emailing the course instructor ([email protected]), specifying both the preferred examination date (among those announced by the instructor) and the academic year for which they intend to take the examination.
If students decide to withdraw after registering, they must notify the course instructor at least 24 hours in advance.
The conversation examination may only be taken during the same examination session in which the oral examination for the monographic course is taken. If the student fails the monographic oral examination during that session, the conversation examination must also be repeated.
The oral examination is considered passed only if the student obtains a passing mark in all its components.
Important Notice
The final version of the syllabus will be available on the course webpage on the Ariel online teaching platform (http://ariel.unimi.it). All students are required to consult the official version before taking the examination.
International and incoming Erasmus students are encouraged to contact the course instructor as early as possible.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) will be agreed individually with the course instructor in consultation with the University's competent office.
The examination consists of a written test and an oral test. The final grade will be the average of the two marks, both expressed on a 30-point scale.
The written examination may be taken starting from the end of the course, i.e. from May 2027. The oral examination may be taken starting from June 2027.
Students who attend regularly (active participation in at least 80% of the total lectures and practical classes) are eligible to take the midterm examinations, which replace only the general written examination. The first midterm is held at the end of the first semester, and the second at the end of the second semester. In this case, the final written examination grade is calculated as the average of the grades obtained in the two midterms.
To be admitted to the second midterm, students must not only have attended at least 80% of the lectures and practical classes in the second semester, but must also have passed the first midterm.
Students who fail either of the two midterms must take the entire general written examination during one of the official examination sessions (June, September, or January).
First Midterm Examination
The first midterm includes:
- Grammar exercises covering the topics studied during the first semester. The exercises include multiple-choice questions, gap-filling tasks, and agreement exercises involving the different elements of the sentence.
- Translation of short sentences from Italian into Russian (without the use of a dictionary).
- Questions on grammatical theory covering the topics studied during the first semester. The questions will be in Italian, with examples in Russian, and will include open-ended questions, multiple-choice questions, and true/false questions.
Second Midterm Examination
The second midterm includes:
- Dictation.
- Grammar exercises covering the topics studied during the second semester. The exercises include multiple-choice questions, gap-filling tasks, and agreement exercises involving the different elements of the sentence.
Questions on grammatical theory covering the topics studied during the second semester. The questions will be in Italian, with examples in Russian, and will include open-ended questions, multiple-choice questions, and true/false questions.
- Translation from Italian into Russian (without the use of a dictionary) of sentences containing the grammatical topics covered throughout the academic year.
- Writing a short composition (minimum 100 words) without the use of a dictionary. The assigned topic will require the use of the vocabulary encountered during the practical classes.
General Written Examination
Students who do not take the midterms, or who fail one of them, must sit the general written examination, which consists of both parts described above in a single examination.
To pass either the midterm examinations or the general written examination, students must obtain a passing mark in every section of the examination.
The assessment of the written examination will take into account:
- the accuracy of grammatical structures;
- the command of the vocabulary covered in the monographic course and the practical language classes;
- the ability to write a short text that demonstrates coherence and cohesion;
- the ability to explain theoretical concepts relating to Russian morphology and to illustrate them through the correct use of linguistic structures.
Oral Examination
The oral examination consists of an interview covering the course syllabus and is designed to assess both the student's theoretical and practical language skills.
Students must independently prepare 20 pages of Russian-language texts, following the model used in class. These texts will be made available on the course MyAriel page.
During the oral examination, students will be required to:
1. Read aloud an excerpt from the prepared texts. Passing the reading test is a prerequisite for proceeding to the subsequent parts of the oral examination.
2. Present orally, in Russian, the content of one of the texts included in the 20 pages.
3. Identify and analyse the texts morphologically (using Russian grammatical terminology), focusing on the sentence elements covered during the course, such as the gender, number and case of nouns, adjectives and pronouns, as well as verb tense and conjugation.
4. Answer questions on grammatical theory related to the topics covered during the course. This part may be conducted in Italian, with practical examples in Russian.
5. Hold a conversation in Russian on a topic assigned directly during the examination. The assigned topics presuppose knowledge of the vocabulary covered during the practical classes.
Languages of the examination: Russian and Italian.
The oral examination will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- the ability to converse fluently on the topics covered in the course;
- accurate application of the grammatical structures studied during the course;
- knowledge of the vocabulary related to the topics covered in both the lecture course and the language practice classes;
- the ability to translate orally the texts assigned for independent study and to summarize their content in Russian;
- the ability to analyse texts accurately with regard to the morphological structures covered in the course;
- the ability to present the grammatical topics studied during the course in depth and with critical awareness, and to explain them clearly through the use of appropriate examples.
Continuous Assessment for Students Attending Practical Classes.
Students who actively attend at least 80% of the practical classes will not be required to complete Part 5 of the oral examination (conversation in Russian), as this component will be replaced by continuous assessment throughout the academic year.
During the practical classes, students will prepare and present assignments set by the instructor and answer oral questions. These presentations and assignments will be assessed continuously (with the following grades: Fail, Satisfactory, Fair, Good, Excellent) and will contribute to the final examination grade.
All the other components of the oral examination (Parts 1-4) must be completed during the official examination sessions by all students, whether attending or non-attending.
The results of the continuous assessment will be communicated to students at the midpoint and at the end of each semester.
Students who do not receive continuous assessment for the oral component (or who decline the grade awarded) must complete the conversation with the native-speaker instructor (Part 5) according to a schedule that will be announced at the beginning of the course.
To register for the conversation examination (Part 5), students who have not received continuous assessment must register at least one week before the scheduled examination date by emailing the course instructor ([email protected]), specifying both the preferred examination date (among those announced by the instructor) and the academic year for which they intend to take the examination.
If students decide to withdraw after registering, they must notify the course instructor at least 24 hours in advance.
The conversation examination may only be taken during the same examination session in which the oral examination for the monographic course is taken. If the student fails the monographic oral examination during that session, the conversation examination must also be repeated.
The oral examination is considered passed only if the student obtains a passing mark in all its components.
Important Notice
The final version of the syllabus will be available on the course webpage on the Ariel online teaching platform (http://ariel.unimi.it). All students are required to consult the official version before taking the examination.
International and incoming Erasmus students are encouraged to contact the course instructor as early as possible.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) will be agreed individually with the course instructor in consultation with the University's competent office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
SLAV-01/A - Slavic Studies - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Paracchini Laila
Part C
SLAV-01/A - Slavic Studies - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Paracchini Laila
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment. Students have to write to the teacher to agree the date and the time of appointment.
In presence (in the professor's office), or online on Microsoft Teams platform (team code iknbobe).