Sanskrit 8 is a high-level reading course suited to final-year students. This course introduces students to Vedic Sanskrit, the precursor of Classical Sanskrit, through the investigation of a range of Vedic texts that articulate different developments in the language, thought, and practices of India’s most ancient textual culture. This course provides students with a foundation in Vedic grammar and exposure to the earliest expression of certain key concepts that have been influential throughout the evolution of South Asian literature and society. Students can expect to acquire skill in the employment of specialist reference materials, familiarity with the distinct text-types encompassed within the Veda, and awareness of modern scholarly approaches to the challenges inherent in interpreting the Veda, its language and worldview.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate an understanding and explain peculiarities of Vedic grammar by means of textual analysis.
- Employ specialist reference materials with a strong degree of competence.
- Independently develop translations of Vedic texts and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative translations and their appropriateness to the grammatical and literary contexts of primary texts.
- Demonstrate consideration of the influences of oral/aural textual transmission upon textual composition and apply this awareness to textual analysis and interpretation.
- Identify connections between key concerns in Vedic culture and their expression in the language, style, and structure of Vedic texts.
- Demonstrate a developing ability to reflect critically on methodologies used in the interpretation of Vedic texts.
Other Information
On successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to engage at an Advanced level of Sanskrit.
Students with native speaker proficiency (may include cognate languages and dialects) must review the language proficiency assessment site and contact the CAP Student Centre for appropriate enrolment advice. Students with previous “language experience or exposure” are required to undertake a language proficiency assessment 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 undertake a language proficiency assessment should seek advice from the course or language convenor. Students who intentionally misrepresent their language proficiency level may be investigated under the Academic Integrity Rule 2021 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.
Indicative Assessment
- Contribute to class activities, including discussions and forums (5) [LO 1,4,5,6]
- Short translation, analysis, and review exercises (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Project on Vedic texts (35) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Take-home assessment of previously unseen Vedic text (35) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This unit is conducted on the 'flipped classroom' model. Students are expected to complete certain set tasks before attending class each week. A total of 10 hours' work per week is expected as follows:
- 3 hours attending on-campus or online classes
- 2.5 hours prior to class preparing materials for in-class activities
- 1 hour completing online learning activities
- 3.5 hours developing and completing assessment tasks and projects
The total workload for the course is 130 hours over 12 weeks of class and the examination period.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Lanman, C. A Sanskrit Reader.
Macdonell, A. Vedic Reader.
Macdonell, A. Vedic Grammar.
Whitney, Sanskrit Grammar
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $3960 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5100 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANU Online | ||||||
| 6757 | 24 Jul 2023 | 31 Jul 2023 | 31 Aug 2023 | 27 Oct 2023 | Online | View |
| OUA Online | ||||||
| 6758 | 24 Jul 2023 | 31 Jul 2023 | 31 Aug 2023 | 27 Oct 2023 | Online | N/A |
