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Unit information: Introduction to Sanskrit 1 in 2023/24

Unit name Introduction to Sanskrit 1
Unit code THRSM0097
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Langer
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

no

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

no

Units you may not take alongside this one

n/a

School/department Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

Sanskrit is the single most important language in Indian culture. The fundamental texts of Indian religions, philosophy, law, science, poetry, drama, etc. are all composed in Sanskrit. For anyone who wishes to gain an appreciation of Indian religions and culture the study of Sanskrit is therefore of paramount importance. Indian culture itself has traditionally regarded the study of Sanskrit grammar and literature as basis of all education. Moreover, in the contemporary study of Indian religion and culture Sanskrit terminology serves as something of a "lingua franca".

The unit aims to introduce students to the basics of the Sanskrit alphabet, its vocabulary, and grammar, as a foundation for the reading of short passages of Sanskrit texts.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit student will:

  1. have gained experience and practice in reading, writing and transcribing simple Sanskrit texts (both in Roman and Devanāgarī script);
  2. have acquired the basic skills of analysing grammatical forms and sentence structure;
  3. have some experience in translating from Sanskrit into English and vice versa;
  4. be able to demonstrate a more critical approach to translations and secondary literature based on Sanskrit texts;
  5. have developed a greater understanding, hence appreciation, of an important classical language and basic linguistic skills, such as handling grammar books and dictionaries as well as analytical thinking

How you will learn

Classes will involve a combination of short-form lectures, vocab and translation exercises, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with lessons and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback. Teaching is shared with equivalent units at levels 4, 5 and 6.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

  • Term exam (online) (20%) ILOs 1-5
  • January exam (online) (80%) ILOs 1-5

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THRSM0097).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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