OL TLAN 101: Classical Tibetan I

Please note that these online courses are self-paced and differ from the online courses that we are currently offering online while the campus has closed due to the pandemic which consist of live classes. The self-paced Online Learning courses differ in that the classes are pre-recorded which means the student can decide on their own schedule. The self-paced Online Learning courses offer varying levels of interaction, the formats you can choose from are Self-Study, Interactive and For-credit.

Applications for For-Credit and Interactive Classical Tibetan courses are accepted from September 15 until March 15. Students may register and begin courses in the Self-study format at any time.

The Classical Tibetan I course is designed to be studied in 15-weeks, although all students have access to the course for a full year from the date they apply for or are accepted into the course. Access to the moderator for students in the For-credit and Interactive formats of the course is limited to September 15 – June 15.

Classical Tibetan I covers the principal topics of classical Tibetan grammar using textbook material as well as text passages from classical Tibetan Buddhist literature. Although the topic of grammar is central, students are also introduced to the basic vocabulary of classical Tibetan philosophy and practice. This course can serve as a springboard for students to begin delving into Tibetan texts on their own, and as a foundation for continuing with confidence into more advanced language instruction. In the self-study format, this course is a good refresher for those who have had some instruction in Tibetan language previously and wish to strengthen their foundational knowledge.

The prerequisite for this course is comfort with reading and writing the Tibetan alphabet. RYI offers a short course in the Tibetan alphabet to prepare students to study this classical Tibetan online course. If you are planning to take the Interactive or Self-study course and are not familiar with the Tibetan alphabet, please sign up and take that course before you start Classical Tibetan I. If you are planning to take the For-credit version of the course, the Tibetan alphabet online course is included in your course fee, and you will receive access to that course at the same time as your Classical Tibetan I access.

Students can expect between five to eight hours of study per week when taking this course in the pre-arranged semester format. Students in the For-credit and Interactive courses progress through the online course materials together with guidance and instruction from a moderator during the 15-weeks of the semester. Students in the Self-study format can choose to follow the 15-week class schedule, or they can study at their own pace over the course of the full year. Students who study in the for-credit format will receive three academic credits upon successful completion of the course.

Students navigate the course material via Moodle, an open source e-learning environment, with links offered to resources elsewhere on the web. Internet access is a requirement for studying this course. Students will have access to this course in Moodle for one year from their date of registration. Course material is presented as video and visual lectures given by Dr. Constance Kassor and includes PDF handouts and web-based resources for study and practice. 

 FAQs 

Please see the descriptions below for comparison of the available course formats.