General Course Assignments & Expectations

UKRAN 3306 – Reading in Ukrainian: Language, Literature, and Culture

This course is designed to strengthen your reading fluency, vocabulary, and oral communication in Ukrainian through consistent, meaningful engagement with authentic literary texts. Each week, we will explore 25–50 pages of poetry, prose, essays, or commentary, using class time for discussion, clarification, and deeper cultural insight.

Below are the core assignments and expectations that structure your experience throughout the semester.

1. Weekly Reading & Preparation

Each week, you will be assigned a reading selection in Ukrainian (approx. 25–50 pages), accompanied by guiding questions and vocabulary support where needed. Readings may include short stories, essays, literary excerpts, war diaries, and cultural texts.

You are expected to:

• Read the assigned text(s) before class

• Be ready to summarize, reflect, or respond to the main ideas

• Take note of unfamiliar or thematically significant vocabulary (see below)

2. Handwritten Vocabulary Log

To develop your vocabulary and reinforce language acquisition, you will maintain a weekly handwritten vocabulary log.

Each week, choose 5–7 words or expressions from the reading that are new, interesting, or contextually rich.

For each entry, include:

• The word or expression in Ukrainian

• A full sentence from the reading where it appears

• An English translation or explanation

• Your own sentence in Ukrainian using the word or expression

• Optional notes (e.g., nuance, emotion, cultural association)

Logs should be handwritten on the provided template. Bring your log to class to support discussions and occasional peer sharing.

3. In-Class Participation

This is a seminar-style, discussion-driven class. You are expected to:

• Actively participate in each session

• Speak in Ukrainian during group work and full-class conversations

• Ask questions, offer opinions, and support classmates’ ideas

• Come to class with your reading and vocabulary log prepared

4. Short Reflections (as assigned)

You may occasionally be asked to submit a brief written reflection (in Ukrainian) in response to a reading or discussion. These will typically be 1–2 paragraphs and may be guided by prompts such as:

• What emotions did this text evoke?

• How does this work relate to Ukrainian identity or memory?

• What did you notice in the author’s style or voice?

5. Final Project or Paper

At the end of the semester, you will complete a final project or short paper (1.5–2 pages in Ukrainian), which may take the form of:

• A reflection on a chosen text or theme

• A brief analysis of an author’s style or message

• A creative response (e.g., letter to a character, short fictional piece in dialogue with a reading)

You will also prepare a 5–7 minute oral presentation in Ukrainian to share your project with the class.

 Notes:

• This course values fluency over perfection. You are not expected to understand every word—but to engage deeply and honestly.

• Language learning is a cumulative process. Come curious, prepared, and willing to grow.

• The reading list and class flow may shift in response to your interests, language level, and current events in the Ukrainian-speaking world.