Sanskrit 4

• • In Weeks 1-3 we will be reading through a sample from the Classical Sanskrit story collection Kathasaritsagara. We will be doing this in both the 2-hr and 1-hr 'sandpit' sessions scheduled for each week. Students are expected to prepare translations independently prior to each class. The major focus of these first weeks' will be building upon the stamina and confidence that students developed by the end of Sanskrit 3 by returning to Lanman's Sanskrit Reader but with a text of increased difficulty.
  • In Weeks 4-6 we will be reading through a sample from the renowned Buddhist Sanskrit collection of short stories Jatakamala ('Garland of the Buddha's Prior Births'). These readings will introduce students to intermediate-level Sanskrit narrative prose and verse without the support of a Reader and will also encourage students to develop some basic understanding of the ancient tradition of Buddhist Sanskrit literature. Students will be challenged by encountering Buddhist reinterpretations of familiar Sanskrit vocabulary and will be encouraged to reflect upon the power of storytelling in different South Asian religious traditions.
  • During Weeks 7-12 we will be working with two different texts, both of paramount significance in the Sanskrit and Hindu literary traditions:
  • • In the 2-hr weekly session, we will focus on readings from the spiritual and philosophical text Bhagavadgita
  • • In the 1-hr weekly session, we will focus on readings from the epic text Ramayana
  • These readings will introduce students to the further genre of Sanskrit historical and epic texts (itihasa) and are intended to round off the familiarity with story-telling and narrative texts (katha) attended to in the first half of the semester. Students will encounter core concepts and vocabulary relevant to these important traditions. Students will be required to use dictionaries and grammatical reference texts with increasing degrees of independence.

You are recommended to have completed the following subjects(s) or have equivalent knowledge before starting this subject:

• ANU-SKRT2103-Sanskrit 3

Others

Completion of SKRT2103 Hindi 3 or demonstration of equivalent level through completion of a placement test. Students with prior knowledge of the language will be required to take a placement test. Students are not permitted to enrol in a subject that is lower than the level they achieve in the placement test, or a lower level than a subject they have already completed. Students without the appropriate level of proficiency for ANU-SKRT2104 (Sanskrit 4) will be withdrawn from this subject and we will recommend an alternative subject at the correct level.

Additional requirements

• Equipment requirements - To successfully engage in this subject students will need the following: • Laptop or computer • Computer camera (either inbuilt or webcam) • Headset with microphone • Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browser • Reliable internet access • Access to a scanner or smartphone
• Other requirements -

  This is a fast paced academic course at a University level.

Sanskrit, the classical language of India, 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 wisdom. At the ANU we seek
to balance the traditional practice of textual reception—reading and grammar—with language production—speaking, chanting and singing—to provide
a truly balanced curriculum. In Sanskrit 4, students will strengthen their grammar skills and enjoy further readings from the classics of Sanskrit literature.

This is a fast paced academic course at a University level.

Weekly activities 20% This task involves the completion of grammatical readings and summaries on a weekly basis. These activities are intended to consolidate and refresh students' recollection of fundamental grammatical points studied in the Introductory courses. The readings will also expand upon the knowledge gained in the Introductory courses by taking a more comprehensive approach to the topics reviewed. There are no weekly activities in Weeks 6 and 12, i.e., when the translation assessments are due. Short translation assessments 35% This course requires the completion of two short translation assessments. These translation assessments provide opportunities for students to demonstrate the learning and proficiency developed at significant intervals over the semester. Students will be expected to prepare full grammatical analyses and translations of unseen samples of Sanskrit text that are closely related to the materials being read in class. Take-home translation assessment 40% Students will have one week in which to complete a take-home assessment requiring Sanskrit-English translation of previously unseen Sanskrit materials relating to the texts studied during the semester. A complete grammatical analysis must be included. The assessment will consist of samples of unseen Sanskrit text reflecting the different materials studied throughout the semester. The dates of the assessment will be set in Week 1 via in-class discussion. Contribution and participation 5% At the end of the semester, each student will be assigned a mark out of 5 reflecting their contribution to and participation in the class activities. These can include class discussions and activities, engagement with Wattle forums, and willingness to support other students' learning (e.g., by volunteering to respond to questions asked in class).

• Weekly activities (20%)
• Short translation assessments (35%)
• Take home exam: Sanskrit to English translation (40%)
• Contribution and particpiation (5%)

For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).