Key facts

Type	Weekly Classes
Location	Oxford
Address	Rewley House 1 Wellington Square Oxford
Dates	Wed 17 Apr to Wed 19 Jun 2013 Day: Wednesday Time of meeting: 7.00-9.00pm Number of meetings: 10
Subject area(s)	Language Studies
CATS points	10
Fees	From £165.00
Application status	Course cancelled
Course code	O12P617TEW
Course contact	If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Overview

Sanskrit is one of the most interesting and grammatically rich languages of the anicent world; this course will introduce students to basic Sanskrit language and literature.

Description

This course is intended to provide a basic knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary of the Sanskrit language sufficient to begin reading simple texts. It will also cover some of the cultural and literary history history of Ancient India in context through the reading exercises and class discussion.

The simplified texts used for the course will be adapted from a range of religious and literary sources, this introducing the students to some of the breadth of classical Indian literary traditions. It is intended that by the end of the course students will be able to read simple adapted Sanskrit texts, understand the basic grammatical principles of the language and know how to use reference materials (grammars, dictionaries, etc.) in order to tackle new material with a degree of independence.

Programme details

Week 1: India and the Ancient World; introduction to Sanskrit language: its origins, development and impact; sounds and script; overview of the grammar
Week 2: -a stem nouns: nominative and accusative singular; introduction to simple present tense verbs: 3rd person singular; Sanskrit literary topic: the Vedas
Week 3: -a stem nouns: instrumental singular; present tense verbs: 1st and 2nd person singular; introduction to sandhi; Sanskrit literary topic: the Upanishads
Week 4: -a stem nouns: nominative, accusative and instrumental plural; present tense verbs: 1st, 2nd and 3rd person plural; further sandhi
Week 5: Revision of grammar to date; -a stem nouns: dative and ablative singular and plural; present tense verbs: irregular verbs; further sandhi;
Week 6: -a stem nouns; genitive and locative singular and plural; personal pronouns: 'I' and 'you'; further sandhi; Sanskrit literary topic: the Mahabharata
Week 7: The Epics: Mahabharata and Ramayana in film and animation
Week 8: -a stem nouns: vocative singular and plural; completing the masculine, feminine and neuter nouns paradigms; the verbal root; Sanskrit literary topic: Buddhist literature
Week 9: Revision of grammar to date; introduction to -i and -u stem nouns; further sandhi; Sanskrit literary topic: Kalidasa, poet and playwright
Week 10: Recap; questions open choice


Background Reading:
Doniger, Wendy. The Rig Veda
Olivelle, Patrick. Upanishads
Smith, John D. The Mahabharata (abridged)
Valmiki. The Ramayana (preferrably translated by Robert and Sally Goldman)
Lopez, Donald. Buddhist Scriptures
Kalidasa. The Recognition of Shakuntala (trans. Will Johnson)

Staff

Course aims

Course Aim:
To develop a knowledge of the fundamentals of the Sanskrit language with a view to continued study and reading competency in simple texts, as well as a deeper appreciation of the contributions of Ancient India to the rich and diverse history of world literature.

Course Objectives:
1. To gain competence in basic Sanskrit reading comprehension.
2. To develop the skills necessary for future independent study.
3. To increase awareness of the importance of classical Indian literature in a broader context.

Assessment methods

Each week will conclude with a set of exercises to consolidate what has been learnt in that class for students to take home and complete for the following week's session. Three of these will contribute to the final mark. The final assignment will be a short translation exercise of prose text to completed at home over a maximum of 10 days. This will be set in Week 8 for submission the day before the final class in Week 10 to allow an opportunity for additional one-to-one feedback at the end of the course for those who wish it.

Teaching methods

Teaching will include oral presentation and discussion. Sessions will include at least one practical exercise in class, worked through by the students independently. There will also be time set aside at the end of the session most weeks for a short oral presentation on some aspect of classical Indian literature to be followed by time for questions. Other methods may be used as appropriate.

Teaching outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:
1. Know the basic Sanskrit grammar and vocabulary covered in the course;
2. Read and translate simple Sanskrit texts with the aid of a dictionary where necessary;
3. Have a greater knowledge of the place of classical Indian language and literature in the fields of linguistics and world literature more generally.

Fee options

Programme Fee

EU Fee: £165.00

Non-EU Fee: £165.00

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