Sanskrit and Devanagari in South Asian Culture (I) 3600-IN-SDKAP-OG

Lecture, with elements of discussion, familiarizing the participants with the Sanskrit language (the old Indo-Aryan cultural language that to this day has been supplying lexicons of many contemporary South Asian languages) and the Devanagari script, created specifically for the Sanskrit language needs.
The participants will be informed about the linguistic situation of South Asia, will learn the basics of Sanskrit grammar (including syntax and morphology) and learn practically the rudiments of the Devanagari script. They will also learn about the historical and contemporary position of Sanskrit and Devanagari in the region of South Asia and South-East Asia.

Main topics:
I. Sanskrit as an Indo-European language
1. The languages of South Asia in the past and today
2. The Vedas and the Sanskrit literature
3. Sanskrit in Asia
4. Sanskrit from the perspective of Europe
II. Devanagari
5. South Asian scripts; the place and role of Devanagari
6. Devanagari as the script for Sanskrit
7. The logic of Devanagari script
III. The basics of Sanskrit Grammar (I)
8. Sanskrit syntax
9. Morphology

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

K_W01
has basic knowledge of the place and importance of Oriental studies in the humanities and their specificity in relation to the subject and methodology
K_W10
can name and characterize basic cultural phenomena of South Asia
K_W13
is aware of the complex nature of a Sanskrit, its place and significance in the cultural and historical context of South Asia
K_W14
is aware of the linguistic variety and its influence on the cultural and political situation of the world
K_U02
can indicate sources of cultural differences between the countries of South Asia
K_K01
understands the need to learn all one’s life
K_K05
has awareness of the cultural distinctness and its religious, philosophical, traditional and historical roots and its significance for understanding modern world
K_K07
is aware of significance the culture of South Asia has for the culture of the world

Assessment criteria

Attendence control and activity in class, mid-term written practice assignements, final written examination (choice test).

Bibliography

References:
T. Burrow, The Sanskrit Language, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi 2001;
A. Gawroński: Podręcznik sanskrytu, Dialog, Warszawa 2004;
M. R. Kale, A Higher Sanskrit Grammar, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi 1995;
M. Mejor: Sanskryt, Dialog, Warszawa 2004;
M. Monier-Williams: A Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi 1999;
J.S. Speijer, Sanskrit Syntax, Bohi Leaves Corporation, Delhi 1990;
G.A. Tubb & E.R. Boose, Scholastic Sanskrit. A Manual for Students, AIBS, New York 2007;
W.D. Whitney, Sanskrit Grammar, Harvard University Press, Cambridge 1964.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3600-IN-SDKAP-OG in USOSweb