Summer Sanskrit Language Study
The summer intensive language courses are rigorous but students also progress very quickly. Completing the equivalent of two semester’s worth of coursework over the span of 8 weeks, students are well on their way towards attaining a high degree of proficiency in Classical Sanskrit.
Applications due May 30, 2022
Apply by May 23, 2022 to avoid late fee
Class Structure:
All classes meet Monday through Friday for 2-3 hours per day and include a Master Grammar Class, a Traditional Class, a Review Class and access to virtual office hours for additional support. See each individual class schedule below. In order to progress students are expected to attend daily classes for the duration of the course. The level of intensity of the courses is high and students are expected to invest considerable time and effort in order to meet class requirements and academic expectations.
The Master Grammar classes comprise the major portion of the course and are taught by an English- speaking professor who will introduce and explain the grammar using Western and Sanskrit terminology according to Western pedagogical methods. The students’ progress will be assessed on an ongoing basis through daily homework assignments and frequent quizzes.
The Traditional Sanskrit classes include reading and pronouncing Devanagari texts, reciting and chanting Sanskrit prose and poetry, and learning spoken Sanskrit. This class will be given by a local scholar who has learned Sanskrit as part of their own tradition.
Class Materials:
To take part in the course you will need to have access to a PC, Mac or Linux computer capable of running Microsoft Teams, which you can download free of charge.
- Access to RYI’s Microsoft Teams environment
- PDF textbook, texts and supplemental materials
- Pre-recorded videos
Accreditation
All of the Sanskrit language courses are university-level courses and can be taken for academic credit through Kathmandu University’s Centre for Buddhist Studies.
These courses may also be taken on a non-credit basis.
2022 Academic Calendar
- June 8 Online Orientation
- June 13 Classes begin
- July 8-11 Midterm break
- August 4 Final exams
Beginning Sanskrit (SLAN 120) 6 Credits
This intensive Sanskrit course is designed designed to facilitate the rapid acquisition of basic Sanskrit vocabulary and grammar for beginning students with no prior knowledge of Sanskrit.* This course will introduce the basics of Sanskrit grammar using both indigenous and Western pedagogical methods and terminology. By the end of the course, students will be able to work with original Sanskrit texts on their own.
This course also offers a traditional class that includes an introduction to the Devanagari script which students use in class for homework and quizzes. These classes also cover native pronunciation, basic conversational skills in Sanskrit language, and an introduction to and chanting of Sanskrit meters and verses (sloka).
Students are lead through the texts in a detailed and gradual manner so that even complete beginners will be able to access their meaning while building a basic vocabulary and gaining familiarity with the intricacies of Sanskrit grammar.
| Beginning Sanskrit, SLAN 120 | Hours per week | Section 1 (Nepal Time) | Section 2 (Nepal Time) |
| Master Grammar Class | Five 1-hour classes per week | Monday-Friday 5:45-6:45 pm | Monday-Friday 10:15-11:15pm |
| Traditional Class | Five 1-hour classes per week | Monday-Friday 7:00-8:00 pm | Monday-Friday 8:15-9:15 pm |
| Grammar Review Class (optional) | Three 1-hour classes per week | M-W-F 4:30-5:30 pm | M-W-F 11:30 pm – 12:30 am |
*Plus access to virtual 1:1 office hours
*Summer orientation includes several introductory lectures on the Devanagari alphabet.
Intermediate Sanskrit (SLAN 220) 6 Credits
This intensive Sanskrit course is offered for intermediate-level students with two semesters of prior study of Sanskrit. It is designed to complete students’ study of grammar and increase students’ reading proficiency in Sanskrit. The course assumes a thorough grounding in the basics of Sanskrit grammar, including experience with reading Buddhist Sanskrit literature, and is designed to increase students’ reading proficiency in Sanskrit.
The first part of the course (2-3 weeks) will be spent finishing grammar study. For the remaining portion of the course, students will prepare translations of assigned Sanskrit texts for discussion during class time. The choice of texts will include a variety of Sanskrit genres, including Buddhist Sanskrit texts (epics, dramas, philosophy, inspirational tales, etc.).
In addition, the traditional classes of this course will cover native pronunciation, conversational skills in Sanskrit language, and an introduction to and chanting of Sanskrit meters and verses (sloka).
| Intermediate Sanskrit, SLAN 220 | Hours per week | Section 1 (Nepal Time) | Section 2 (Nepal Time) |
| Master Grammar Class | Five 1.5 hour classes per week | Monday-Friday 5:45-7:15pm | Monday-Friday 10:15-11:45pm |
| Traditional Class | Five 30 minute classes per week | Monday-Friday 5:00-5:30 pm | Monday-Friday 9:30-10:00 pm |
| Grammar Review Class (optional) | Three 45 minute classes per week | M-W-F 7:30-8:15 pm | M-W-F 12:45-1:30 am |
*Plus access to virtual 1:1 office hours
Advanced Sanskrit (SLAN 320) 6 Credits
(THIS COURSE WILL NOT BE OFFERED THIS SUMMER)
This course is offered for advanced-level students with a minimum of two years of prior study of Sanskrit. It focuses on reading both classical and Buddhist Sanskrit literature with the aim of improving students’ reading and research skills and developing their ability to independently read and translate Sanskrit texts. Students read texts with a scholar who is an expert in the topic at hand, to advance their knowledge of both the language and the philosophical, doctrinal, or historical issues under study.
The course focuses on reading Sanskrit literature in the professor’s area of expertise or current research in order to improve students’ reading and research skills and continue the students’ focus on the independent reading of Sanskrit texts. The course will focus on the translation of both classical and Buddhist Sanskrit texts. To that end, the students will be expected to prepare and discuss the relevant Sanskrit texts during weekly meetings.
SLAN 320 Course Schedule
The Advanced Sanskrit class schedule will be offered in one section that will be arranged to accommodate all of the students who sign up to the extent possible. Preference will be given to early applicants.
Admission Criteria
All applications for the Sanskrit programs are subject to approval by the Centre for Buddhist Studies.
For more information, please refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Admissions Process for the summer program.
Accreditation
The Beginning Sanskrit course is accredited at the Centre for Buddhist Studies for Sanskrit I and Sanskrit II (6 credits total).
The Intermediate Sanskrit course is accredited at the Centre for Buddhist Studies for Sanskrit III and Sanskrit IV (6 credits total).
The Advanced Sanskrit course is accredited at the Centre for Buddhist Studies for Sanskrit V and Sanskrit VI (6 credits total).
Fee Request
In accordance with University guidelines, RYI course fees are determined by each student’s home base and nationality. A three-tier system is in effect which covers (i) Nepali students, (ii) SAARC students and (iii) other international students. Please select below to find out the fees structure for your particular circumstances.
You will find the Tuition Fee List for all programs, including the Summer Program, linked on the right hand side of this page (at the end of the page if you are on a mobile device) under the heading “Tuition Fee List.”
