54
Indian and Tibetan Studies
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
See above: Contents
Expected learning goals:
YEAR I: Knowledge of the basic syntactic-grammatical structures of the Sanskrit language.
YEAR II: Overall knowledge at the elementary level of the Sanskrit language.
YEAR III: Overall knowledge at the intermediate level of the Sanskrit language.
Additional expected learning goals:
Autonomy of judgment: At the end of the third year, the student is expected to be able to critically stand in front of a printed text and realize any problems in it (e.g., typos, editor's errors).
Communication skills:
At the end of the third year, the student should be able to make short compositions in Sanskrit and understand simple sentences stated orally by the teacher.
Learning skills:
At the end of the third year, the student should be able to independently do readings of texts of medium difficulty.
Course Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.
Teaching Methods
The Sanskrit language course involves annual face-to-face lectures and seminar activities:
1. Basic grammatical notions - 20 hours (first and second year only)
2. Reading of texts - 20 hours (for the first and second years) / 40 hours (for the third year)
3. Exercises - 8 hours
Assessment Methods
Attendance in class is recommended. The exam will be both written (translation of a simple or medium difficulty passage, depending on the annuality followed by the student — 4 hours) and oral. The latter will involve reading and linguistic commentary on one of the Sanskrit texts read during the year or agreed with the teacher.
Texts
Aklujkar, A., Corso di Sanscrito, a cura di R. Torella, Milano, Hoepli, 2011.
Speijer, J.S., Sanskrit Syntax, Leiden 1886, Delhi 1973 (numerose ristampe).
One of your choice from the following texts:
Burrow, T., The Sanskrit Language, London 1973.
Deshpande, M.M., Sanskrit & Prakrit. Sociolinguistic Issues, Motial Banarsidass, Delhi 1993.
Seyfort Ruegg, D., Contributions à l’histoire de la philosophie linguistique indienne, Paris 1959.
For literature course: Reference text:
Boccali, G., Piano, S., Sani, S., Le letterature dell’India, UTET, Torino, 2000.
And one of your choice from the following titles:
De Simini, F., Il Buddhismo. Storia di un’idea, Carocci Editore, Roma 2013.
Dundas, P., Il Jainismo, Castelvecchi editore, Roma 2005.
Padoux, A., Tantra, Einaudi, Torino 2022.
Contents
Sanskrit Language (BA); Sanskrit Literature (BA):
I Year: The course aims at introducing the main topics of Sanskrit grammar in order to enable students to recognize the fundamental structures of a Sanskrit text and allow them to read the most simple works. Excerpts from poetical, philosophical and religious Indian literature (Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad, Hitopadeśa, Pañcatantra, Bhagavadgītā, etc.) will be read and explained. During the final examination the student will have to translate and explain these passages.
II Year: Students will deepen their knowledge of Sanskrit grammar and language through the reading of texts that are more complex from the morphosyntactical point of view. Some arguments will be treated more deeply, especially in the light of Indian grammarians’ philosophical speculations. The course aims at familiarizing students with the different varieties of the Sanskrit language. For this purpose, excerpts from the exegetical literature and from scientific and technical works will be read and explained. Some units will focus on Indian palaeography and the theory and practice of textual criticism. Excerpts from the Nyāyabinduṭīkā of Dharmottara (section 3) will be read and explained during the course.
III Year: Students will further deepen their knowledge of Sanskrit grammar and language through the reading of texts that are more complex from the morphosyntactical point of view and through the composition of short stanzas in Sanskrit. The course aims at familiarizing students with the different varieties of the Sanskrit language. Some units will focus on Indian palaeography and the theory and practice of textual criticism. Parts of the Rājataraṅginī of Kalhaṇa will be read and commented during the course.
Course Language
Italian and English
More information
For the literature course in particular:
YEAR I: Knowledge of the history of Sanskrit literature in its historical development.
YEAR II: Analysis and in-depth study of some themes and problems related to the development of Sanskrit literature, with special reference to ornate poetry or kāvya.
YEAR I: The course aims at providing students with the theoretical knowledge and methodological tools necessary to understand the development of Sanskrit literature in its various ramifications. In-class reading and commentary of excerpts from Indian narrative, poetic and philosophical-religious literature are planned. During the final examination, the student must demonstrate knowledge of the typical themes and characteristics of the main literary genres, as well as the production of the most representative authors.
YEAR II: The target of the course is to analyze and investigate some of the themes and problems related to the development of Sanskrit literature, with special reference to ornate poetry or kāvya. Students will be able to approach the study of literary texts by developing critical commentary and referring to the internal debate in specialized literary criticism.