Faces of Contemporary Russia is a one-semester textbook for high-intermediate to advanced level Russian students that aims to develop students' linguistic proficiency by examining significant personalities in current Russian culture. In addition to introductory and concluding chapters, the book features twelve individuals (one per chapter), drawing from a range of areas such as arts, sports, journalism, and business. While upper-level Russian textbooks tend to emphasize grammar and reading more traditional works from Russian literature, this book seeks instead to primarily engage students in learning about and discussing the breadth of contemporary Russian culture while weaving the study of grammar and vocabulary into those discussions. In addition to readings and in-class communicative activities, the book also features guided research assignments that encourage students to make use of the many personality interviews and YouTube clips available online.
Faces of Contemporary RussiaContents PrefaceAcknowledgementsIntroduction: Faces of Contemporary RussianRussia of the 21st century. A panorama of cultural life. Through the prism of sociology: Which periods of Russian history are of interest to Russians 1. Oleg Kuvaev, Masyanya and flash-animationOleg Kuvaev: BibliographyHistorical Context: Saint Petersburg, Petrograd, LeningradGetting ready for reading and conversation: Who is Masyanya?Though the eyes of a scholar of culture: Who is Masyanya?Historical Context: Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Grammar Daily, weekly, yearly , + instrumental case Genitive case, review 2. Darya Dontsova, bestsellers and historical detective novelsDarya Dontsova: BibliographyThrough the prism of sociology: Do today's Russians read much?Getting ready for reading and conversation: What is ironic detective fiction?Through the eyes of a scholar of culture: What is ironic detective fiction? Grammar Numerals + genitive case Perfective/imperfective verbs, review with prefixes Simple superlative, review 3. Diana Vishneva and the world of the Russian balletDiana Vishneva: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian balletThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian balletThrough the prism of sociology: Is it true that all Russians are fans of ballet? Grammar Motion verbs, review , ... Dates, review 4. Konstantin Raikin and the world of Russian theaterKonstantin Raikin: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian theaterThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian theater Grammar Motion verbs, review Dative case, review Numerals, review " " with prefixes 5. Valentin Yudashkin and the Russian fashion industryValentin Yudashkin: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Contexts of Russian fashionThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: Contexts of Russian fashionThrough the prism of sociology: Are school uniforms necessary? Grammar Participles, review Motion verbs, review 6. Ksenia Sobchak and the world of Russian glamourKsenia Sobchak: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Russian glamour - what is it?Through the prism of sociology: Do Russians think of themselves as happy people?Through the eyes of a scholar of culture: Russian glamour - what is it? Grammar Verbs with the prefix - Review of cases Participles, review Passive voice, review Reflexive verbs, review 7. Vladimir Posner and the world of Russian televisionVladimir Posner: BibliographyHistorical context: USSR-US Space BridgesGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian televisionThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian televisionThrough the prism of sociology: Talk shows on Russian television Grammar Review of cases The word " " Motion verbs, review ? 8. Zemfira and the world of Russian rock musicZemfira: BibliographyListening to Zemfira's songsGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian rock musicThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian rock music Grammar - + verb Review of cases , , , Reflexive verbs Perfective/imperfective verbs, review 9. Renata Litvinova and the world of Russian cinemaRenata Litvinova: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: The world of Russian cinemaThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: The world of Russian cinemaHow well do you know Russian cinema? Grammar Review of cases " " with prefixes Verbal adverbs, review + perfective/imperfective verbs, review Verbal adverbs vs. participles 10. Evgeni Plushenko and Russian figure skatingEvgeni Plushenko: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Contexts of Russian sportsThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: Contexts of Russian sports Grammar Perfective/imperfective verbs, review Verbal adverbs, review - ( ? , ) ( ? , ) " " with prefixes Verbal adverbs vs. participles 11. Igor Matvienko and the world of Russian pop musicIgor Matvienko: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Contexts of Russian pop musicThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: Contexts of Russian pop musicThrough the prism of sociology: Do Russians like pop music? Grammar , ... Verbal adverbs, review Participles, review 12. Irina Khakamada the women of Russian politicsIrina Khakamada: BibliographyGetting ready for reading and conversation: Women of Russian politicsThrough the eyes of a scholar of culture: Women of Russian politicsThrough the prism of sociology: Women in politics? Grammar Negative adverbs Participles, review In Lieu of a Conclusion: Russian millennialsPussy RiotRussian vloggersCulture Studies Test
