• Class Number 8122
  • Term Code 3560
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Topic ANU Online
  • Mode of Delivery Online
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Stephanie Majcher
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Stephanie Majcher
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 21/07/2025
  • Class End Date 24/10/2025
  • Census Date 31/08/2025
  • Last Date to Enrol 28/07/2025
SELT Survey Results

Sanskrit 6 is an Advanced-level course which extends students' knowledge of Sanskrit literary culture by introducing major examples of literary composition from the Classical kavya tradition. The texts studied in this course include both Hindu and Buddhist compositions that illuminate the creativity of kavya as a vehicle for expressions of newness and authority. This course consolidates students' ability to identify and explain the complex wordplays and compositional structures that give kavya expressive force and which established Sanskrit as a voice of cultural and political power throughout premodern Asia. In this course, students will progress from identifying core themes and concerns in Sanskrit literature to critically evaluating relationships between language and power which persist to this day. Students are encouraged and supported to explore these relationships through the production of annotated translations and refined literary analyses of primary texts.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Analyse and translate primary texts with a high level of accuracy and awareness of cultural and historical contexts.
  2. Demonstrate thorough understanding of the complex grammatical structures employed in Sanskrit poetry and explain these through advanced textual analysis and expertise in using reference grammars and dictionaries.
  3. Critically appraise the linguistic registers and compositional structure of the root text in contrast with other genres of Sanskrit literature and express this in annotated translations.
  4. Interpret commentarial texts and demonstrate understanding of commentarial techniques and vocabulary.
  5. Critically examine the relationship between literary themes and concerns in Sanskrit poetic texts and the expression of cultural authority.

Required Resources

Whitney Sanskrit Grammar

Tubb and Boose Scholastic Sanskrit

Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
  • Written comments
  • Verbal comments
  • Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 2-hr Main Class Introduction to the course and discussion of primary sources, their historical and cultural contexts, and the complex relationship between Sanskrit poetry and Sanskrit as a language of power. Following this discussion, we will commence our main reading (in Sanskrit) for the semester.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Introduction and commence supplementary reading for the semester. Open discussion of compositional issues, themes, and context.
2 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.
3 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.
4 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.Annotated Translation #1 is released this week.
5 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.
6 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.Annotated Translation #1 is due this week.
7 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.
8 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.
9 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.
10 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.Annotated Translation #2 is released this week.
11 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of supplementary text. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.
12 2-hr Main Class Continue reading, discussion, and analysis of main text. Review work prepared prior to class.1-hr 'Sandpit' Session Concluding discussion and review of the materials and concepts addressed in the course. Prepare Individual analysis and translation of a set amount of text prior to the main class. The text to be prepared will have been decided in the previous week's class based on in-class progress.Annotated Translation #2 is due this week.
13 Examination Period The take-home exam will be released during the examination period. Students will have one week in which to complete and submit this assessment.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Annotated Translation #1 30 % 25/08/2025 29/08/2025 1,2,3,4,5
Annotated Translation #2 30 % 21/10/2025 * 1,2,3,4,5
Take-Home Exam 40 % 06/11/2025 * 1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

This course is conducted on a 'flipped classroom' model and requires students to independently prepare a set amount of work each week prior to the main class. Attendance at all classes is expected. If a student is unable to attend a class, it is expected that the lecturer be notified prior to class and that the student views the recording of the missed class and prepares for the following class as usual. If the student has any questions regarding the missed class after viewing the recording, they should contact the lecturer prior to the following class.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 30 %
Due Date: 25/08/2025
Return of Assessment: 29/08/2025
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5

Annotated Translation #1

Produce a full grammatical analysis and refined translation of a sample of Sanskrit poetic text. The analysis and translation should be accompanied by critical notes discussing the cultural context of the work, its themes and concerns, and compositional features. The Sanskrit text will be previously unseen but related to the readings completed in class.

  • Annotated Translation #1 will be released in Week 4 and is due for submission in Week 6.
  • This assessment is weighted at 30% of the total grade for the course.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 30 %
Due Date: 21/10/2025
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5

Annotated Translation #2

Produce a full grammatical analysis and refined translation of a sample of Sanskrit poetic text. The analysis and translation should be accompanied by critical notes discussing the cultural context of the work, its themes and concerns, and compositional features. The Sanskrit text will be previously unseen but related to the readings completed in class.

  • Annotated Translation #2 will be released in Week 10 and is due for submission in Week 12.
  • This assessment is weighted at 30% of the total grade for the course.

Assessment Task 3

Value: 40 %
Due Date: 06/11/2025
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5

Take-Home Exam

Students will be required to complete a take-home exam during the University's examination period. This assessment will involve the independent production of a full grammatical analysis, short critical notes, and refined translation of a previously unseen Sanskrit text or texts related to the materials read in class throughout the semester. Students will have one week in which to complete and return this assessment.

  • The take-home exam will be released on October 30th and is due for submission on November 6th.
  • This assessment is weighted at 40% of the total grade for the course.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
Dr Stephanie Majcher
stephanie.majcher@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Stephanie Majcher

By Appointment
By Appointment
Dr Stephanie Majcher
02 6125 4323
stephanie.majcher@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Stephanie Majcher

By Appointment
By Appointment

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