Sanskrit, an ancient and classical language of South Asia, 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 knowledge and textual traditions.
The Sanskrit Language Major equips students with a high level of competence in Sanskrit, addressing both knowledge and critical understanding of Sanskrit language and its associated cultures. The courses included in this Major balance comprehensive training in grammar, translation, and textual analysis with exposure to a wide variety of Sanskrit and Vedic literary genres. By its completion, students will be able to independently read Sanskrit texts and engage critically with issues of textual interpretation, cultural significance, and historical reception.
Learning Outcomes
- Translate from a wide variety of texts and genres with a high level of competence in using a Sanskrit-English dictionary
- Demonstrate thorough understanding of advanced grammatical structures employed in Classical and Vedic Sanskrit, and demonstrate expertise in using reference grammars
- Appraise the linguistic registers of root texts and their place among the various genres of Sanskrit literature, and reflect this in appropriate English translation
- Demonstrate an ability to interpret commentarial texts, showing an understanding of commentarial techniques and vocabulary
- Develop and apply critical thinking skills to the social, historical, and cultural contexts of the text at hand through textual interpretation and translation
Other Information
Students with previous “language experience or exposure” are required to take a language proficiency assessment to ensure enrolment at the most appropriate level. This major cannot be taken by students who have pre-existing language competence at or above SKRT2103
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 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 Misconduct Rule 2021 as having failed to comply with assessment directions and having sought unfair advantage. This may result in a penalty such as reduced grades or failure of the course.
Students are not permitted to enroll in a language course below one that they have already successfully completed, except with permission of the language and/or course convenor.
International students who are studying all or part of their program on a student visa are advised that this major 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.
Areas of Interest
- Asian Languages
- Translation Studies
- Asian Studies
- Asia Pacific Studies
- Language Studies
- Asia-Pacific Studies
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
The Sanskrit Language Major consists of 48 units, which must include:
36 units from completion of the following compulsory Sanskrit Language courses:
SKRT1002 Sanskrit 1
SKRT1003 Sanskrit 2
SKRT2103 Sanskrit 3
SKRT2104 Sanskrit 4
SKRT3004 Sanskrit 5
SKRT3005 Sanskrit 6
Students who receive an exemption through a Language Placement Assessment (LPA) may choose additional courses from the following additional courses to complete their major. Students cannot receive an exemption through an LPA for SKRT2103, SKRT2104, SKRT3004, SKRT3005
A minimum of 12 units from completion of Language Research courses from the following list:
ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L)
ASIA3108 Research Topics in Asian and Pacific Languages (L)*
A maximum of 6 units from completion of associated courses from the following list:
ASIA3039 Research Project in Asian and Pacific Studies
ASIA3272 Truth and Falsity in Indian History and Politics
*The course is offered in semesters 1 and 2 each year. Students may enrol in this course code up to 4 times, under different topics of Sanskrit to be included in this major. Enrolment in this course is subject to the availability and agreement of an appropriate supervisor. It is a requirement that students confirm the approval of the potential supervisor before enrolling in the course.
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