Introduction

Dear Students,

These postings will be a convenient way for us to communicate in Russ 101 (Introductory) and Russ 203 (third semester). Daily assignments will be given on my own site, indexed by date (www.tulane.edu/~gcummins).

Here I want to give you some ideas about how to study this — or any — language, ideas that I hope will be of use to you. I hope to be getting your responses and your own ideas as the semester and the academic year unfolds, or rolls on.

In my mind right now are Aug 29, 2005 and Aug 29, 2008, when our semesters were rudely interrupted before they got going by Katrina and Gustav. Always optimistic, I think all will be well this time. I note that we have a "fall break" this year (a couple of days, I think) and that our Aug 24 first-class date is the earliest in my long memory.

Many students ask me about a Russian dictionary. It's good to have one, as it isn't convenient to look everything up in the index of a textbook. There is the Langenscheidt's Russ-Eng Eng-Russ dictionary, that is ok; the Oxford Russian has a good deal of information about the inflection of words. These might be available in the trade book section of the Tulane bookstore, or use Ruskniga.com to order them. This is a dependable online site based in Brooklyn. Get an MP3 file of something in Russian, to listen to as you get more proficient. Prices are low and delivery is fast. There's a nostalgic, exile-like flavor to this site; most of the users left Russian in one or another wave of emigration. If you are just starting Russian, using Ruskniga might be a little tricky; find someone who has had a year of Russian to help you. (Heads-up: поместить заказ means 'place the order' and charge your credit card; be sure you know what you've ordered.

I don't imagine anyone will read this before classes start. Good luck as you settle in at Tulane. Please write if you have a question.
Sincerely,
G M Cummins
August 11, 2009