Sanskrit Language and Culture Specialisation

Total units 24 Units

Areas of interest Asian Languages, Translation Studies, Asian Studies, Asia Pacific Studies, Language Studies More...
Specialisation code SKRT-SPEC

Academic career Postgraduate
Academic Contact McComas Taylor

Sanskrit, the classical language of India, has long been renowned for its beauty, subtlety and complexity. It is the key to the civilisational treasures of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, and provides direct access to a vast repository of literary, scientific and philosophical wisdom. At the ANU we balance the traditional practice of textual reception—reading and grammar—with language production—speaking, chanting and singing—to provide a truly balanced curriculum. By the completion of the specialisation, students will be able to independently read simple epic and prose narrative texts, they will have mastered some basic spoken Sanskrit, and will be able to chant and recite with a good degree of accuracy.

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.

International students who are studying all or part of their program on a student visa are advised that this specialisation is available for in-person and online study. Under the Education Services for Overseas Student Act 2000 (ESOS Act), international students on a student visa cannot do more than 33% of their study online. International students interested in enrolling in the online version of these courses should contact the CAP Student Centre (cap.student@anu.edu.au) for advice prior to enrolling.

Learning Outcomes

Read simple epic texts smoothly and accurately and chant texts in sloka meter.
Translate the vocabulary of the text in hand through the basic use of a Sanskrit-English dictionary.
Recognise the range of grammatical structures in standard epic Sanskrit texts, and demonstrate a working facility in using the reference grammatical text.
Appraise the linguistic registers of the root text, in contrast with other genres of Sanskrit literature, and reflect this in appropriate English translation.
Demonstrate knowledge of the social and historical contexts of epic Sanskrit texts.

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.