Language Courses

One consequence of the fallout of the Soviet Union was the emergence of several "frozen conflict" zones throughout the empire's former republics as large communities of various ethnic people groups found themselves now living in countries where they were a demographic minority. These situations have led to multiple armed conflicts in the region over the past 30 years with the most recent flareup occurring in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region within the borders of Azerbaijan populated by an overwhelming majority of ethnic Armenians. This course looks at the history of Nagorno-Karabakh and what has contributed to the escalated tensions which have brought Armenia and Azerbaijan to the brink of war in recent weeks. The first three lessons will prepare you to read a Russian language article while the last two will prepare you to watch a video. Some sample vocabulary from the course includes: бой  - battle, conflict; напряженный  - tense; спорная территория - disputed territory; вертолёт - helicopter; военное положение - martial law

On August 20, 2020, leading Russian opposition politician and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny went into a coma after falling ill on a flight to Moscow. After receiving treatment in Germany following an emergency medical evacuation, German doctors confirmed that Navalny had been poisoned with a highly toxic nerve agent. While the Kremlin has involved any involvement, the incident follows an alarming pattern of the targeted poisonings of opposition figures, journalists, and Russian dissidents in the two decades since Vladimir Putin came to power. This course will prepare you to read and watch Russian media reporting on these events, taking a look at some of these poisonings, as well as the potential consequences for Russia in connection with the most recent attack. Lessons 1 - 3 will prepare you to read Russian language media articles while Lessons 4 and 5 focus on video news reports. Some sample vocabulary from the course includes: отравление - poisoning; шприц - syringe; внутренние органы - internal organs; якобы - allegedly; виновный - guilty party

Belarus, long labeled as the last remaining dictatorship in Europe, is preparing to hold the most consequential presidential election in the country's young history on August 9, 2020. President Alexander Lukashenka is running for a sixth consecutive term but faces a high degree of unpopularity and mounting levels of civil unrest in the days before the vote. This course will prepare you to read a Russian language news article and watch a Russian language report that takes a look at the circumstances in Belarus leading up to the election, the challenges facing Lukashenka as he tries to maintain power, and the strategy of the opposition figures trying to remove him from office. Some sample vocabulary from the course includes: соперник, соперница - rival, opponent; соблазн - temptation, lure; русификация  - Russification; переворот - revolt, upheaval; уровень жизни - standard of living

The eyes of the world have been on the United States in recent weeks as hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets to call for major reforms to the country's policing practices, an end to systemic racism, and increased awareness of the challenges facing people of color living in the country. Not all foreign media outlets, however, are looking at the events with a sympathetic eye, choosing to brush over the reasons for the movement itself, and instead devoting an overwhelming amount of coverage to the spouts of violence, unrest, and looting which have accompanied the protest demonstrations in many American cities. In this course, we will take a look at an article and TV news report from Russia that both provide a glimpse into how the Russian mediasphere has choosing to portray the latest events gripping the United States. Some sample vocabulary from the course includes: гнев - outrage, anger; угнетение  - oppression; социальная справедливость - social justice; жестокость полиции - police brutality; разжигать ненависть - to incite hatred

Despite having been dead for nearly 70 years, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin still remains a polarizing figure in Russian history. While many understand the extent of the damage this tyrannical leader inflicted upon his own people, a small but growing personality cult has been built up around Stalin, with many pointing to his leadership during World War 2 as a reason why he should be celebrated. This course looks at the modern-day debate surrounding Joseph Stalin and how it acts as a reflection on modern Russian society. Some of the key vocabulary from this course includes - репрессированный   - repressed person; тиран  - tyrant; Сталинизм - Stalinism; искажение  - distortion

Moscow, a city of more than 12 million, has been hit particularly hard in recent weeks by the coronavirus, bringing life in the massive metropolis to a standstill. The latest numbers indicate that nearly 2% of the city's population has been infected with those numbers expected to continue rising. This course will prepare you to read a Russian language news article as well as watch a Russian language news report that examines the effects of the virus on the city and what measures are being taken to curb its spread. Sample vocabulary from the course include: искоренять, искоренить - to eradicate; затухать, затухнуть - to fade out; сдерживание  - containment; лёгкие - lungs; самоизоляция - self isolation