Intensive Introductory Sanskrit
Sanskrit, known as the “language of the gods,” is a classical language
of India and “scriptural” language of the Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
As a member of the Indo-European language family, it is related to Greek, Latin,
Old Irish, and English, as well as to the languages presently spoken in much of
Northern India such as Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali. Sanskrit literature, both
religious and secular, has been composed and written down in the Devanāgarī
as well as other scripts of India. Sanskrit is important for those interested
in the study of the religions of South Asia, for those interested in ancient languages
and linguistics, comparative and historical linguistics, and for those wishing to
experience a language which is both logical and exquisitely beautiful.
This intensive summer long course will cover the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary
of the first and second semesters of Introductory Sanskrit. We will learn
the basic grammatical structure and vocabulary through the preparation of translations
from one of the great Indian religious texts, the Rāmāyana.
Textbooks
Robert Goldman & Sally Sutherland, Devavānīpraveśikā, An
Introduction to the Sanskrit Language
Edward Delavan Perry, A Sanskrit Primer
Instructor: Dr. Carlos Lopez
Rel 4936-001 May 14 – June 22
Summer A
MTWTh 1:00-3:30
Rel 4936-001 July 2 – August 10
Summer B
MTWTh 1:00-3:30