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South Asia Department

Sanskrit Language 1

Course Code:
155901303
Unit value:
1
Year of study:
Year 1
Taught in:
Full Year
The course is intended to systematically introduce the students to the grammar, syntax, and usage of Classical Sanskrit. By the end of the year, the students will begin to read simple narrative Sanskrit texts with the help of a dictionary. Much of the year is devoted to an overview of the nominal and verbal systems of the language; while exercises develop the students’ ability to not only comprehend, but also to compose simple Sanskrit prose.

Prerequisites

This course is available to students in any year, but final-year undergraduate students will need to have the permission of the Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

At the end of the course, a student should be able to demonstrate…

  1. knowledge and understanding of basic Sanskrit grammar
  2. knowledge and understanding of essential Sanskrit vocabulary
  3. knowledge and understanding of the appropriateness of basic Sanskrit structures and expressions in a given context
  4. the ability to understand short passages in written Sanskrit on everyday topics
  5. the ability to produce short passages in written Sanskrit on everyday topics

Workload

A total of 22 weeks teaching with 4.5 hours classroom contact per week.

Method of assessment

One three hour written examination to be taken in May/June (60%); one homework assignment to be submitted on day 1, after reading week, term 1 (5%); one homework assignment to be submitted on day 1, term 2 (5%); one homework assignment to be submitted on day 1, after reading week, term 2 (5%); one homework assignment to be submitted on day 1, term 3 (5%); weekly in-house quizzes (20%).

Suggested reading

A comprehensive reading list for this course will be supplied by the convenor at the beginning of the course.