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:
- Analyse and translate primary texts with a high level of accuracy and awareness of cultural and historical contexts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Interpret commentarial texts and demonstrate understanding of commentarial techniques and vocabulary.
- Critically examine the relationship between literary themes and concerns in Sanskrit poetic texts and the expression of cultural authority.
Other Information
On successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to engage at an Advanced Intermediate 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
- Annotated Translation #1 (800 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Annotated Translation #2 (800 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Take-Home Exam (1000 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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 course is conducted on a 'flipped classroom' model. Students are expected to complete a set amount of independent work prior to attending class each week. A total of 10 hours per week is expected as follows:
- 4 hours preparing translations and analyses prior to class
- 3 hours attending classes
- 3 hours developing and completing assessment tasks
The total workload for the course is 130 hours over 12 weeks of class and the examination period.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Sanskrit texts and further readings for this course will be provided by the lecturer. In addition, students should ensure they have access to the following reference texts:
- Whitney Sanskrit Grammar
- Tubb & Boose Scholastic Sanskrit
- Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary
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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
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 | ||||||
| 8122 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | Online | N/A |
| OUA Online | ||||||
| 8123 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | Online | N/A |