Admission requirements
Previous knowledge of Indo-European linguistics and reading proficiency in German.
Description
This course provides an introduction into Vedic Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas, especially that of the Rigveda, which is the oldest of them. Next to a survey of the synchronic phonology and morphology, various aspects of the metre of the texts will be discussed.
This course furthermore introduces the student to the historical grammar of Sanskrit. With a focus on phonetics, phonology and morphology, the developments leading from Proto-Indo-European via Proto-Indo-Iranian to Vedic Sanskrit will be dealt with, and a number of topics will be discussed in more detail. To these aims, related languages such as Avestan and Old Persian will be regularly compared. At the end of the course, the student will write a research paper dealing with a topic discussed in class, or a related theme.
Course objectives
1) Insight into the linguistic structure of Vedic Sanskrit.
2) Insight into the main aspects of Vedic Sanskrit metre.
3) Knowledge of major historical developments of Sanskrit starting from Proto-Indo-European.
Timetable
The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website.
Mode of instruction
Students are expected to attend the weekly seminars of the BA course Vedic Sanskrit (551XXX), where the basics of Vedic grammar and metre are taught.
Reading list on the historical grammar of Sanskrit and its Indo-European roots.
A one-hour weekly tutorial in order to discuss the additional reading.
Course Load
time spent on attending seminars and tutorials: 39 hours
time preparation of the classes: 91 hours
time to prepare for the final paper: 150 hours
Assessment Method
1) Written exam at the end of the course 40%
2) A research paper on a synchronic or diachronic Vedic Sanskrit linguistics or metre 60%
Blackboard
This course is not supported by Blackboard.
Reading list
Macdonell, Arthur Anthony, A Vedic grammar for students. (Reprinted many times; any edition may be used.)
Syllabi will be provided during the course.
Registration
Students should register through uSis. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte via: www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/alacarte
Registration Contractonderwijs via: http://www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/contractonderwijs/
Contact
MA Linguistics departmental office, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; mail:ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl