Hindi Language and Culture Specialisation

Total units 24 Units

Areas of interest Asian Languages, Asian Studies, Asia Pacific Studies, Language Studies, Asia-Pacific Studies
Specialisation code HIND-SPEC

Academic career Postgraduate
Academic Contact Dr Peter Friedlander

Hindi is the most widely spoken Indian language in India and around the world and is spoken by around half a billion Indians as a mother tongue or second language. The ANU teaches Hindi in a way that balances learning to communicate in Hindi with also promoting the abilities to access the rich cultural resources available in Hindi which range from Hindi literature to the world of Bollywood films.

In an era of rapidly increasing connections between India and Australia a knowledge of Hindi also offers the possibility to participate in the growing ties between our two nations, peoples, cultures and economies. Studying a Hindi specialisation can also lead to opportunities outside of the classroom to engage with Hindi speaking communities in Australia, around the world in the Indian Diaspora, and in India itself.

A student may not take a course if that course is a prerequisite for another course which they have already passed, or a course that is a lower level than a course they have already passed.

Students with prior knowledge of the language will be required to take a placement test.

Learning Outcomes

Understand and express themselves in a range of formal and informal vocabulary registers.
Write and speak Hindi using a full range of sentence structures including, complex sentences and active and passive verb constructions.
Communicate in written and spoken Hindi about a wide range of issues such as traditional cultural practices, education, development, politics, and society.
Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary Indian cultural and social issues and understand the impact of Indian traditions on communication in Hindi.

Other Information

Students with previous “language experience or exposure” are required to take a language placement test to ensure enrolment at the most appropriate level.

Relevant past experience includes:

- Previous study of the language (both formal and informal, for example but not limited to, at school, or, home, or through online activities, etc.)

- Being exposed to the language in childhood via a family member or friend

- Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken

- The language being spoken in your home (even if you do not speak it yourself)

Students who are not sure if they need to take a placement test should seek advice from the course or language convenor.

Students who intentionally misrepresent their language proficiency level may be investigated under the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 as having failed to comply with assessment directions and having sought unfair advantage. This may results in a penalty such as reduced grades or failure of the course.

Students are not permitted to enrol in a language course below one that they have already successfully completed, except with permission of the language and/or course convenor.