Systematic overview of basic propositions of Russian graphics, spelling and punctuation. The history of graphics. Main principles of contemporary Russian spelling (morphological, phonetic, traditional, grammatically differential), rules of Russian spelling. Characteristics of Russian pronunciation. Basic features and rules of contemporary Russian punctuation. Lexical, morphological and syntactical linguistics. Russian word-formation. Correct pronunciation. Improvement for lexical, grammar and stilistical ways of expression in accordance with norms. The routs of mistakes and ways for correction. Content criteria for speech expressin, features for pragmatical and functional socialising.

In the seven lectures the teacher gives a broad overview of particular periods in Russian history using a wide range of written and audiovisual sources. The seminars are meant to focus, with the help of scholarly texts, on certain developments that have shaped the course of Russian history in general and Russian-Baltic entanglements in particular. Thus, the course focuses on the ancient world of Kievan Rus, its Hanseatic dimension, the rise of Moscow, the years of Ivan IV and the Livonian wars, the process of „Europeanization“ under Peter I, the story of the Petersburg Empire and the Baltic provinces, the Russian revolution (also in Estonia and Latvia), Stalinism, “Mature Socialism” (also in the Baltic SSRs), the years of Perestroika and the road to Putinism in the 1990s.

The course gives an overview of most important historical events in connection with the developments in societies and cultures. Independent reading of lecture materials and literature.

The course begins with a discussion of law as a normative order and progresses into a discussion of legal institutions and practices, law as a societal phenomenon and the discussion of the different legal systems (continental, common law, etc.) of the world. The division between public law and private law, the basic principles of constitutional law, the central issues constitutional law and administrative law and discussed in detail. The student will acquire on overview of the basic constitutional rights, freedoms and responsibilities of individuals. The system of civil law is an introduction into private law, the general concepts of private law, and sources of private law. Also discussed are civil law relationships, persons, passive and active legal capacity, transactions (general principles of conclusion of contracts and bases for the creation of contractual obligations), representation, general principles of protection of civil rights, calculation of terms and limitation period for an action. A comparative overview of the court systems is given including the principles and basic understandings of different court proceedings. The structure of the court system is discussed in detai from the court of first instance, to appellate courts, and lastly, to the court of last resort. Written assignments will be solved throughout the course.

The course focuses on gender as a socially constructed category and its pervasiveness in various spheres of social life and social structures. At the same time, the course focuses on family as a basic social institution in the Estonian and global context. Through studying family as a gendered institution, gender is analysed in the private and public spheres and the boundaries of these spheres is challenged. Throughout the course, an intersectional approach is taken, paying attention to ways in which the categories of gender and family intersect with other socially constructed categories, such as race, age, ethnicity, sexuality etc. The course gives an overview of the following topics and areas of study:, The basics of sociology of gender and family: key concepts and approaches, Intersectionality, Gender, family and the work of production and reproduction, The personal is political: gender and various types of family, relationship between state and family, Gender and family in post-colonial, transnational and global settings, Methodological questions: how to study gender and family sociologically? The course consists of seminars focusing on the topics listed above. Students are required to read 1-2 texts or familiarise themselves with other material assigned for each seminar. In addition, each student will write three reflection papers on the compulsory materials of three seminars of his/her choice. Each student will have a short presentation on the materials of one seminar. All students are expected to actively and meaningfully contribute to seminar discussions.

The course introduces students with the main periods of Soviet history and will give more attention to the developments that took place in the Late Soviet period, after 1953. The first half of the course takes a chronological approach and the second half deals with the key problems and themes of studying Soviet past with the focus on the period 1953-85. Following topics will be touched upon: nationalities policy and peripheries; economic development and progress; ideology, party and control; private life, free time and consumer society. The course also deals with the specificities of Soviet Estonian history in the regional and all-union context. The students learn to know Soviet society and culture primarily through watching and critical analysis of numerous films. The course is structured around weekly topical seminars for which students prepare at home beforehand.