Russian (MA)
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course consists of lectures (corso monografico) and practical language classes (esercitazioni). Lectures aim to present, working on materials in Russian language, the nature of complex system of both literary and non-literary texts, based on them structural and linguistic analysis. Attention will be paid to the difference between norm and linguistic use too and to their value from the perspective of textual analysis. Lessons will also guide the student in the written drafting of textual analysis in Russian language.
Practical language classes will develop the skills to understand literary and non-literary texts, as well as to produce independently their oral and written analysis at B2 level.
Practical language classes will develop the skills to understand literary and non-literary texts, as well as to produce independently their oral and written analysis at B2 level.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: introduction to the concept of linguistic and textual complexity with reference to both literary and non-literary texts in Russian language. Attention to the difference between norm and use in linguistics. Development of the vocabulary and structures necessary to analyze texts in Russian.
Applying knowledge and understanding: at the end of lectures students will be able to analyze from linguistic and structural points of view literary and non-literary texts in Russian language, using the correct structures. They will also be able to recognize elements within the texts belonging to linguistic norm and to linguistic use and to comment their value from a communicative perspective. Furthermore, student will be able to comment from linguistic and structural point of view texts in Russian language created with the generative artificial intelligence.
The practical language classes will develop in students the skills understand literary and non-literary texts and to analyze them in Russian autonomously. The developed linguistic skills will correspond to the fourth level (B2) of the official standard established by the Council of Europe for the knowledge of foreign languages.
Applying knowledge and understanding: at the end of lectures students will be able to analyze from linguistic and structural points of view literary and non-literary texts in Russian language, using the correct structures. They will also be able to recognize elements within the texts belonging to linguistic norm and to linguistic use and to comment their value from a communicative perspective. Furthermore, student will be able to comment from linguistic and structural point of view texts in Russian language created with the generative artificial intelligence.
The practical language classes will develop in students the skills understand literary and non-literary texts and to analyze them in Russian autonomously. The developed linguistic skills will correspond to the fourth level (B2) 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 divided into three parts and is devoted to the study of Russian stylistics, with particular emphasis on the relationship between stylistics and semantics, stylistics and morphology, and stylistics and syntax within the different functional styles of the Russian language. Following a theoretical introduction to stylistics, the course examines the major functional styles of Russian through the analysis of representative texts.
The course also includes the creation of texts with the aid of generative artificial intelligence, followed by their linguistic and stylistic analysis.
The course awards 9 ECTS credits. It is not possible to obtain only 6 ECTS credits.
Part A
Introduction to stylistics, the different branches of stylistics, and the principal methods of stylistic analysis. Particular attention is devoted to lexical stylistics, the relationship between stylistics and morphology, and the relationship between stylistics and syntax. Topics include: the word as the fundamental unit of the text; the relationship between lexical choice and different communicative varieties; lexical collocation and the stylistic value of errors in lexical combination; synonymy, antonymy, homonymy, polysemy, and paronymy and their stylistic functions; the stylistic value of neologisms and loanwords; the role of phraseology in stylistics; and the relationship between stylistics and word formation. Each topic is illustrated through the analysis of representative examples.
Part B
Functional styles: introduction to the concept of functional style and the factors that determine stylistic variation. Lexical, structural, and morphosyntactic characteristics of academic and scholarly texts, as well as literary texts. Analysis of representative texts belonging to these functional styles. Development of students' ability to describe and analyse such texts in Russian.
Part C
Lexical, structural, and morphosyntactic characteristics of journalistic, colloquial, official, and business texts. Analysis of representative texts belonging to these functional styles. Development of students' ability to describe and analyse such texts in Russian. Creation of texts with the aid of generative artificial intelligence and their subsequent stylistic analysis.
The syllabus is valid until September 2028.
The course also includes the creation of texts with the aid of generative artificial intelligence, followed by their linguistic and stylistic analysis.
The course awards 9 ECTS credits. It is not possible to obtain only 6 ECTS credits.
Part A
Introduction to stylistics, the different branches of stylistics, and the principal methods of stylistic analysis. Particular attention is devoted to lexical stylistics, the relationship between stylistics and morphology, and the relationship between stylistics and syntax. Topics include: the word as the fundamental unit of the text; the relationship between lexical choice and different communicative varieties; lexical collocation and the stylistic value of errors in lexical combination; synonymy, antonymy, homonymy, polysemy, and paronymy and their stylistic functions; the stylistic value of neologisms and loanwords; the role of phraseology in stylistics; and the relationship between stylistics and word formation. Each topic is illustrated through the analysis of representative examples.
Part B
Functional styles: introduction to the concept of functional style and the factors that determine stylistic variation. Lexical, structural, and morphosyntactic characteristics of academic and scholarly texts, as well as literary texts. Analysis of representative texts belonging to these functional styles. Development of students' ability to describe and analyse such texts in Russian.
Part C
Lexical, structural, and morphosyntactic characteristics of journalistic, colloquial, official, and business texts. Analysis of representative texts belonging to these functional styles. Development of students' ability to describe and analyse such texts in Russian. Creation of texts with the aid of generative artificial intelligence and their subsequent stylistic analysis.
The syllabus is valid until September 2028.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held entirely in Russian, the examination materials and bibliography presuppose a start level of B1. In addition, the student must have the requirements for access to the Master Programme LM C73 relating to the Russian language, as indicated in the Program Description.
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered in Alpha mode, meaning that it will be conducted entirely in person. It will adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; reading and analysis of texts. The course is integrated with language practice classes, for which students have to see the specific syllabus.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on "Ariel", the online platform for teaching, (https://ariel.unimi.it/). Students are invited to consult it for information and materials given by the teacher.
Mandatory and non mandatory bibliography for lectures:
1. G. Ja. Solganik, Stilistika russkogo jazyka: ucebnoe posobie dlja bakalavrov, Moskva, Flinta-Nauka, 2018 (only theoretical parts; book available in the university library).
2. Бабенко Л.Г., Казарин Ю.В., Лингвистический анализ художественного текста (теория и практика), Москва, Флинта, Наука, 2005 (Only following parts: pages 11-48, 49-54, 159-193, 201-204). The text is available at the following link:
https://djvu.online/file/LRG8VxhXw6qLK?ysclid=ly1pfhhh6l53796524 (non mandatory).
3. Texts and materials distributed during the lessons and made available on Ariel platform (mandatory).
4. 30 pages for self-study, which the student will choose by himself and will agree with the teacher. Such pages must refer to at least three different styles covered during the course (mandatory).
For the bibliography referred to practical classes, students have to refer to the specific syllabus.
Notice for non-attending students:
The program is the same for both attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students are invited to contact the lecturer as soon as possible.
Mandatory and non mandatory bibliography for lectures:
1. G. Ja. Solganik, Stilistika russkogo jazyka: ucebnoe posobie dlja bakalavrov, Moskva, Flinta-Nauka, 2018 (only theoretical parts; book available in the university library).
2. Бабенко Л.Г., Казарин Ю.В., Лингвистический анализ художественного текста (теория и практика), Москва, Флинта, Наука, 2005 (Only following parts: pages 11-48, 49-54, 159-193, 201-204). The text is available at the following link:
https://djvu.online/file/LRG8VxhXw6qLK?ysclid=ly1pfhhh6l53796524 (non mandatory).
3. Texts and materials distributed during the lessons and made available on Ariel platform (mandatory).
4. 30 pages for self-study, which the student will choose by himself and will agree with the teacher. Such pages must refer to at least three different styles covered during the course (mandatory).
For the bibliography referred to practical classes, students have to refer to the specific syllabus.
Notice for non-attending students:
The program is the same for both attending and non-attending students. Non-attending students are invited to contact the lecturer as soon as possible.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written and Oral Examination
The examination consists of a written and an oral component. The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale and is calculated as the average of the marks obtained in the two examinations.
The written examination may be taken from the end of the course onwards, starting in May 2027. The oral examination may be taken from June 2027.
Students who actively attend at least 80% of the total number of lecture-course and language practice classes may take the midterm examinations, which replace only the comprehensive written examination. In this case, the final written examination mark is calculated as the average of the marks obtained in the first- and second-semester midterm examinations.
To be admitted to the second midterm examination, students must have attended at least 80% of the lecture-course and language practice classes during the second semester and must have successfully passed the first midterm examination. Students who fail either midterm examination must take the comprehensive written examination during one of the official examination sessions (May, September, or January).
The first midterm examination consists of:
- a written summary (in Russian) of a video in Russian;
- a written analysis, in Russian, of a Russian text belonging to one of the functional styles studied during the first semester.
The second midterm examination consists of:
- a written analysis, in Russian, of a Russian text belonging to one of the functional styles studied during the second semester.
In analysing both types of text, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical content and analytical methods covered during the lecture course.
Each text analysis must be at least 300 words in length. Both bilingual and monolingual dictionaries may be used.
Students who do not take the midterm examinations, or who fail one of them, must complete the comprehensive written examination, which consists of both written tasks described above in a single sitting.
Oral Examination
The oral examination consists of:
- A conversation in Russian on a topic assigned at the examination and covered during the language practice classes.
- A detailed presentation (approximately 15 minutes) of the results of an independent linguistic and structural analysis of 30 pages selected by the student for independent study and approved by the course instructor.
- A presentation of the results of the student's independent analysis of a text generated using generative artificial intelligence.
Language of the examination: Russian.
In both the written and oral examinations, assessment will be based on the student's accuracy and fluency in Russian, as well as on their ability to present the course content in a logical and comprehensive manner and to apply it critically in the analysis of authentic Russian-language texts.
Continuous Oral Assessment
For students who actively attend at least 80% of the language practice classes, Component 1 of the oral examination (the conversation in Russian) may be replaced by a continuous oral assessment conducted throughout the academic year.
During the language practice classes, students are required to prepare and present assignments set by the language instructor and to answer oral questions. Their performance will be assessed continuously using the following grades: Fail, Satisfactory, Fair, Good, Excellent. These assessments contribute to the determination of the final examination grade.
The remaining components of the oral examination (Components 2 and 3) must be taken 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 have not received a continuous oral assessment (or who have declined the grade awarded) must complete the conversation component with the native-speaker language instructor according to a schedule announced at the beginning of the course.
To register for this assessment, students must contact the course instructor no later than one week before the scheduled examination date by email ([email protected]), specifying the chosen examination date (among those offered by the instructor) and the course year for which they intend to take the examination. Students who subsequently decide not to attend must notify the course instructor at least 24 hours in advance.
The conversation component may be taken only during the same examination session in which the lecture-course oral examination is taken. Students who do not pass the lecture-course oral examination during that session must repeat the conversation component as well.
Attention:
At the beginning of the course, all students will take a placement test to accurately assess their individual proficiency level. Based on the results, each student will be assigned to the most suitable practice group (maintenance or enhancement).
International students, incoming Erasmus students, and non-attending students are strongly encouraged to contact the course instructor well in advance. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) must be agreed with the course instructor in coordination with the University's relevant support office.
The examination consists of a written and an oral component. The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale and is calculated as the average of the marks obtained in the two examinations.
The written examination may be taken from the end of the course onwards, starting in May 2027. The oral examination may be taken from June 2027.
Students who actively attend at least 80% of the total number of lecture-course and language practice classes may take the midterm examinations, which replace only the comprehensive written examination. In this case, the final written examination mark is calculated as the average of the marks obtained in the first- and second-semester midterm examinations.
To be admitted to the second midterm examination, students must have attended at least 80% of the lecture-course and language practice classes during the second semester and must have successfully passed the first midterm examination. Students who fail either midterm examination must take the comprehensive written examination during one of the official examination sessions (May, September, or January).
The first midterm examination consists of:
- a written summary (in Russian) of a video in Russian;
- a written analysis, in Russian, of a Russian text belonging to one of the functional styles studied during the first semester.
The second midterm examination consists of:
- a written analysis, in Russian, of a Russian text belonging to one of the functional styles studied during the second semester.
In analysing both types of text, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical content and analytical methods covered during the lecture course.
Each text analysis must be at least 300 words in length. Both bilingual and monolingual dictionaries may be used.
Students who do not take the midterm examinations, or who fail one of them, must complete the comprehensive written examination, which consists of both written tasks described above in a single sitting.
Oral Examination
The oral examination consists of:
- A conversation in Russian on a topic assigned at the examination and covered during the language practice classes.
- A detailed presentation (approximately 15 minutes) of the results of an independent linguistic and structural analysis of 30 pages selected by the student for independent study and approved by the course instructor.
- A presentation of the results of the student's independent analysis of a text generated using generative artificial intelligence.
Language of the examination: Russian.
In both the written and oral examinations, assessment will be based on the student's accuracy and fluency in Russian, as well as on their ability to present the course content in a logical and comprehensive manner and to apply it critically in the analysis of authentic Russian-language texts.
Continuous Oral Assessment
For students who actively attend at least 80% of the language practice classes, Component 1 of the oral examination (the conversation in Russian) may be replaced by a continuous oral assessment conducted throughout the academic year.
During the language practice classes, students are required to prepare and present assignments set by the language instructor and to answer oral questions. Their performance will be assessed continuously using the following grades: Fail, Satisfactory, Fair, Good, Excellent. These assessments contribute to the determination of the final examination grade.
The remaining components of the oral examination (Components 2 and 3) must be taken 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 have not received a continuous oral assessment (or who have declined the grade awarded) must complete the conversation component with the native-speaker language instructor according to a schedule announced at the beginning of the course.
To register for this assessment, students must contact the course instructor no later than one week before the scheduled examination date by email ([email protected]), specifying the chosen examination date (among those offered by the instructor) and the course year for which they intend to take the examination. Students who subsequently decide not to attend must notify the course instructor at least 24 hours in advance.
The conversation component may be taken only during the same examination session in which the lecture-course oral examination is taken. Students who do not pass the lecture-course oral examination during that session must repeat the conversation component as well.
Attention:
At the beginning of the course, all students will take a placement test to accurately assess their individual proficiency level. Based on the results, each student will be assigned to the most suitable practice group (maintenance or enhancement).
International students, incoming Erasmus students, and non-attending students are strongly encouraged to contact the course instructor well in advance. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) must be agreed with the course instructor in coordination with the University's relevant support 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).