Part II | Option |
Course Description 2023-24
The course aims to cover the whole of Sanskrit grammar and introduce the students to some of the essential features and concepts of pre-modern South Asian civilisation and literary culture, providing them with a basic grounding for the academic study of classical Sanskrit literature.
During the first term students familiarise themselves with the Devanāgarī script and begin learning Sanskrit morphology and syntax and acquiring the basic lexicon. From the second term they start reading selected passages of classical texts (two hours per week) namely the Pañcatantra (a collection of fables), the Bhagavadgītā, and the Rāmāyaṇa or Mahābhārata, while continuing with the grammar classes.
Form and Conduct
This paper will consist of four questions. Questions 1 to 3 will consist of a seen passage for translation into English (20 marks each) and grammar questions (5 marks each) on some of the forms found in the selected passage. Question 4 will consist of an unseen translation from Sanskrit into English for which a glossary will be provided (25 marks). All questions must be answered.
This description is subject to change, for the latest information, students should consult the Undergraduate Handbook available on the Faculty Intranet.