Advanced Philosophical Sanskrit

SANSKRIT 200R Subject & Catalog Number

Description

The central objective of this course is to enable students to analyze and interpret poetry (kāvya) in classical Sanskrit. Whether this is your first encounter with kāvya or the most recent of many, this course is here to help you practice and grow your skills as a reader. Most lessons involve students collaborating with their peers. What does it mean to “read” Sanskrit poetry? Depending on your experience with the language and the genre, these skills may involve: determining the grammatical and syntactic structures of a given verse; identifying the meter; noticing ambiguities in the text; registering new vocabulary; discussing themes and imagery; and considering technical aspects of literary ornamentation such as similes, metaphors, and other figures of speech. The course may involve some (limited, and supported) engagement with commentaries. Just as important, students will practice literary appreciation and criticism. We will discuss what makes a given composition beautiful, effective, insightful, and/or resonant. No auditors will be permitted. Enrolled students must take the course for a letter grade.