Political Russian an Intermediate Course in Russian Language for International Relations: An Intermediate Course in Russian Language for International Relations, National Security and Socio-Economics [Paperback]

Natasha Simes (Author), Richard M. Robin (Author), American Council of Teachers of Russian (Corporate Author), Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (Corporate Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1996 | ISBN-10: 0787219045 | ISBN-13: 978-0787219048 | Edition: 3 Pap/Cas

Rather than "covering the grammar," this update of the 1996 edition accents functional proficiency in reading, speaking, and listening, and current Russian political vocabulary. Simes (advanced international studies, Johns Hopkins U.), a native of the former Soviet Union, and Robin (Slavic languages and literature, international affairs, George Washington U.) structure this modular textbook on the concept of concentric circles: circle one is for generalist and specialist students who have completed an introductory course; circle two lessons are geared to expanding usable language. Two audio cassettes offer excerpts of actual Russian media for comprehension exercises. This publication of the American Council of Teachers in Russian is a collaboration with Johns Hopkins U. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Copyrights of previous editions are 1992 and 1990. Annotation(c) 2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian

Book Description

Rather than "covering the grammar," this update of the 1996 edition accents functional proficiency in reading, speaking, and listening, and current Russian political vocabulary. Simes (advanced international studies, Johns Hopkins U.), a native of the former Soviet Union, and Robin (Slavic languages and literature, international affairs, George Washington U.) structure this modular textbook on the concept of concentric circles: circle one is for generalist and specialist students who have completed an introductory course; circle two lessons are geared to expanding usable language. Two audio cassettes offer excerpts of actual Russian media for comprehension exercises. This publication of the American Council of Teachers in Russian is a collaboration with Johns Hopkins U. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Copyrights of previous editions are 1992 and 1990. Annotation(c) 2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 542 pages
• Publisher: Kendall Hunt Pub Co; 3 Pap/Cas edition (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787219045
• ISBN-13: 978-0787219048
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,011,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aptly Titled, June 23, 2001

By 

Willis Sparks (New York City, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Political Russian an Intermediate Course in Russian Language for International Relations: An Intermediate Course in Russian Language for International Relations, National Security and Socio-Economics (Paperback)

Rarely do you find a book that is EXACTLY what you're looking for and EXACTLY what it claims to be. This is a superb book for intermediate Russian students who want to focus their study on Politics and International Relations. I treasure this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent intermediate to advanced level textbook, particularly if you are interested in IR/ Politics, July 10, 2009

By 

Yet Another Struggling Russian Language Student (Central Asia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: POLITICAL RUSSIAN: AN INTERMEDIATE COURSE IN RUSSIAN LANGUAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, NATIONAL SECURITY AND SOCIO-ECONOMICS (Paperback)

This is an excellent textbook. Assuming you are already at the intermediate level, it provides a solid grammar review that utilizes vocabulary relevant to political topics. The vocab and grammar build through the book, and the exercises reinforce both. The texts are actual articles, unedited, but picked so that they highlight the grammar and vocab for that lesson. The book is broken into intermediate and advanced levels that proceed concurrently (i.e. - each addresses the same topic at the same time, just in different depths). If you are already pretty strong (or have a lot of time on your hands) you can do both at once. If you are still a little weak, you can just do one, saving the second for later.

The only problems I found were the following:
The layout is sometimes confusing, particularly in the vocabulary sections, which are poorly formatted. Additionally, there appears to be no index, making it hard to find prior topics if you can't remember where they were located. Finally, the audio portions are now only available on-line. If you are going to be using the book in a place with poor internet service, you should download the files before you leave.

Other than those minor issues, this is a solid book that is worth every penny.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love it, February 10, 2005

By 

Monica (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Political Russian: An Intermediate Course in Russian Language for International Relations, National Security and Socio-Economics (Paperback Book and Cassettes) (Paperback)

I love this book. This was EXACTLY what I was looking for and I am very glad I bought it. It was definitely worth my money.