Russian (MA)
A.Y. 2025/2026
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 cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course, divided into three parts, will be dedicated to the study of stylistics in the Russian language, with particular attention to the relationships between stylistics and semantics, stylistics and morphology, stylistics and syntax within the different functional styles. After a theoretical part of introduction to stylistics, we will move on to the study of the different functional styles in the Russian language. Some texts written in the various styles will be analyzed and some will be created with the help of generative artificial intelligence, which will in turn be analyzed.
The course provides 9 ects and it is divided into 3 parts. It is not possible to acquire only 6 ects.
Part A. Introduction to stylistics, different types of stylistics and methods of stylistics. Specifically, attention will be focused on: lexical stylistics, stylistics and morphology, stylistics and syntax. The following topics will be focused: the word as a fundamental unit of the text, the relationship between lexical choices and different variants of communication, lexical combinability and the stylistic value of errors in the combination of lexemes, the phenomena of synonymy, antonymy, homonymy, polysemy, paronymy and their stylistic function, the stylistic value of neologisms and loans, the role of phraseology in stylistics, the relationship between stylistics and word formation. Examples taken from texts will be analyzed.
Part B. Functional styles: introduction to the concept of functional style, factors that determine functional styles. Lexical, structural and morphosyntactic peculiarities of scientific-critical and literary texts. Analysis of texts of the two different styles. Development of skills related to the description in Russian of texts of the styles discussed. Creation of literary and scientific-critical texts with the help of generative artificial intelligence and their analysis.
Part C. Lexical, structural and morphosyntactic peculiarities of public, colloquial, official and business texts. Analysis of texts of different styles. Development of skills related to the description in Russian of texts of the styles covered. Creation of public, colloquial, official and business texts with the help of generative artificial intelligence and their analysis.
The program is valid until the end of July 2027.
The course provides 9 ects and it is divided into 3 parts. It is not possible to acquire only 6 ects.
Part A. Introduction to stylistics, different types of stylistics and methods of stylistics. Specifically, attention will be focused on: lexical stylistics, stylistics and morphology, stylistics and syntax. The following topics will be focused: the word as a fundamental unit of the text, the relationship between lexical choices and different variants of communication, lexical combinability and the stylistic value of errors in the combination of lexemes, the phenomena of synonymy, antonymy, homonymy, polysemy, paronymy and their stylistic function, the stylistic value of neologisms and loans, the role of phraseology in stylistics, the relationship between stylistics and word formation. Examples taken from texts will be analyzed.
Part B. Functional styles: introduction to the concept of functional style, factors that determine functional styles. Lexical, structural and morphosyntactic peculiarities of scientific-critical and literary texts. Analysis of texts of the two different styles. Development of skills related to the description in Russian of texts of the styles discussed. Creation of literary and scientific-critical texts with the help of generative artificial intelligence and their analysis.
Part C. Lexical, structural and morphosyntactic peculiarities of public, colloquial, official and business texts. Analysis of texts of different styles. Development of skills related to the description in Russian of texts of the styles covered. Creation of public, colloquial, official and business texts with the help of generative artificial intelligence and their analysis.
The program is valid until the end of July 2027.
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 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 exams: the exam consists of a written test and of an oral test. The final grade will be the average of the grades obtained in written and in oral exams, expressed in thirtieths.
The written exam can be taken starting from May 2026. The oral exam from June 2026.
Attending students (active participation in at least 80% of the total of theory lessons and of practical classes) can have access to the partial tests (replacing only the general written test), which take place at the end of each semester. In this case, the final mark of the written examination is given by the average of the two partial tests. To take the second partial test students are expected to have passed the first partial test and to have attended at least 80% of the total of theory lessons and of practical classes during the second semester. In the event of failing one of the two partial tests, students must take the entire general written examination during the official rounds (May, September, January).
The first partial examination will include a written summary (in Russian) of a video in Russian language and the written analysis in Russian language of a Russian text belonging to one of the styles analyzed during the first semester. The second partial examination will include the written analysis in Russian language of a Russian text belonging to one of the styles analyzed in the second semester.
In the analysis of both types of text the student will have to demonstrate the knowledge of contents and methodologies studied during the course. The length of analysis of the texts should be at least 300 words. The use of bilingual and monolingual dictionaries is allowed.
The general written exam (for those who do not take partial exams or who have not passed one of the two) will consist in carrying out the two tests described above at once.
The oral exam will consist of:
1. a conversation in Russian language on a topic assigned at the moment of the exam,
2. a detailed 15-minutes presentation focused on the results of the linguistic and structural analysis, that the student will conduct autonomously on 30 pages chosen for self-study and agreed upon by the teacher,
3. a presentation of the results referred to the analysis, autonomously conducted by the student, of a text created with the generative artificial intelligence.
Language in which the student is required to take the exam: Russian.
Students' performance will be assessed in terms of appropriate presentation and discussion of topics, notions, and concepts; discourse organization; detailed text analysis; lexical and syntactic richness and accuracy.
For students attending practical classes (active attendance of at least 80% of practical classes): The above-mentioned point 1 (only point 1) of the oral exam (conversation in Russian language) will be replaced of on ongoing evaluation, which will take place during all the year.
During the practical classes, the students will have to prepare and present the works assigned by the teacher and answer to teacher's oral questions. These presentations will be constantly evaluated by the teacher and will contribute to the determination of the final grade of the exam.
The other points of the oral exam (points 2 and 3) must be taken regularly in the exam sessions by all students, both attending and non-attending.
Students who have not received the oral ongoing evaluation during practical classes will be required to take the conversation exam (point 1) with the teacher of practical classes, according to a schedule that will be communicated at the beginning of the course. To take the exam, students must register for it no later than one week before the scheduled exam date by writing to the teacher (laila.paracchini@unimi.it) and specifying the day (from those indicated by the teacher) and the year for which they intend to take the exam. Students must notify the teacher at least 24 hours in advance if they wish to withdraw.
The conversation exam can only be taken in the same session as the oral exam of monographic course. Students who fail the exam of monographic course will be required to repeat in the new session also the conversation exam.
International students, Erasmus incoming students and atudents who will not attend classes are required to contact the lecturer as soon as possible. Alternative assessment methods for SEN and disabled students will have to be arranged with the teacher and the University Disability Office.
The written exam can be taken starting from May 2026. The oral exam from June 2026.
Attending students (active participation in at least 80% of the total of theory lessons and of practical classes) can have access to the partial tests (replacing only the general written test), which take place at the end of each semester. In this case, the final mark of the written examination is given by the average of the two partial tests. To take the second partial test students are expected to have passed the first partial test and to have attended at least 80% of the total of theory lessons and of practical classes during the second semester. In the event of failing one of the two partial tests, students must take the entire general written examination during the official rounds (May, September, January).
The first partial examination will include a written summary (in Russian) of a video in Russian language and the written analysis in Russian language of a Russian text belonging to one of the styles analyzed during the first semester. The second partial examination will include the written analysis in Russian language of a Russian text belonging to one of the styles analyzed in the second semester.
In the analysis of both types of text the student will have to demonstrate the knowledge of contents and methodologies studied during the course. The length of analysis of the texts should be at least 300 words. The use of bilingual and monolingual dictionaries is allowed.
The general written exam (for those who do not take partial exams or who have not passed one of the two) will consist in carrying out the two tests described above at once.
The oral exam will consist of:
1. a conversation in Russian language on a topic assigned at the moment of the exam,
2. a detailed 15-minutes presentation focused on the results of the linguistic and structural analysis, that the student will conduct autonomously on 30 pages chosen for self-study and agreed upon by the teacher,
3. a presentation of the results referred to the analysis, autonomously conducted by the student, of a text created with the generative artificial intelligence.
Language in which the student is required to take the exam: Russian.
Students' performance will be assessed in terms of appropriate presentation and discussion of topics, notions, and concepts; discourse organization; detailed text analysis; lexical and syntactic richness and accuracy.
For students attending practical classes (active attendance of at least 80% of practical classes): The above-mentioned point 1 (only point 1) of the oral exam (conversation in Russian language) will be replaced of on ongoing evaluation, which will take place during all the year.
During the practical classes, the students will have to prepare and present the works assigned by the teacher and answer to teacher's oral questions. These presentations will be constantly evaluated by the teacher and will contribute to the determination of the final grade of the exam.
The other points of the oral exam (points 2 and 3) must be taken regularly in the exam sessions by all students, both attending and non-attending.
Students who have not received the oral ongoing evaluation during practical classes will be required to take the conversation exam (point 1) with the teacher of practical classes, according to a schedule that will be communicated at the beginning of the course. To take the exam, students must register for it no later than one week before the scheduled exam date by writing to the teacher (laila.paracchini@unimi.it) and specifying the day (from those indicated by the teacher) and the year for which they intend to take the exam. Students must notify the teacher at least 24 hours in advance if they wish to withdraw.
The conversation exam can only be taken in the same session as the oral exam of monographic course. Students who fail the exam of monographic course will be required to repeat in the new session also the conversation exam.
International students, Erasmus incoming students and atudents who will not attend classes are required to contact the lecturer as soon as possible. Alternative assessment methods for SEN and disabled students will have to be arranged with the teacher and the University Disability Office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
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).