Bangla (Bengali) Courses
First Year Bangla I-II-III
BANG 10100-10200-10300. This sequence concentrates on developing skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing Bangla at the novice and intermediate low levels. It is designed both for scholars who want to do research on Bengal and for those who want to gain proficiency in elementary Bangla for communication purposes. Evaluation will be based on classroom performance, attendance, homework assignments, projects, quizzes and final examination. Mandira Bhaduri, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Second Year Bangla I-II-III
BANG 20100-20200-20300. PQ: First year Bangla or comparable level of language skills. This sequence is a continuation of First-Year Bangla and aims at gaining intermediate high proficiency in the language. Students who have prior knowledge of elementary Bengali can join the course. The course concentrates equally on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. At the end of the course the learner is supposed to have a command of Bengali language and culture that allows him/her to communicate with native speakers with ease. He/she will have sufficient reading abilities to comprehend non-technical modern texts. Evaluation will be based on classroom performance, homework assignments, projects, tests, and final examination. Mandira Bhaduri, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Third Year Bangla I-II-III
BANG 30100-30200-30300. PQ: Second year Bangla or comparable level of language skills. When joining this course the student is expected to demonstrate the ability to narrate in all time frames of the language. The student should be able to provide a simple though articulate discourse on familiar topics and subjects directly related to the his/her interests. He/She will learn to provide a full account of events and to use appropriately complex sentences in Bangla. We will also focus on some aspects of the technical language pertaining to various domains. The student will be invited to discuss orally on written material studied in class and at home, and he/she will have to produce two to three pages long essays on a given topic. Systematic introductions to a variety of registers and literary idioms (19th century Sadhu Bhasha, dialects, etc.) will also be provided. By the end of the spring quarter the student will have the necessary tools to expand significantly his/her abilities in order to reach the superior level. Thibaut d’Hubert, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Fourth Year Bangla I-II-III
BANG 40100-40200-40300. PQ: Third year Bangla or comparable level of language skills. Students attending this course must be able to produce an articulate discourse on subjects related to history and literary criticism. They should also have a good command of Bengali grammar. The course is mainly devoted to the study of selected modern and premodern Bangla texts (narrative literature, devotional and courtly poetry, treatises) in their historical contexts. We propose various readings in the historiography of Bangla literature, philology, traditional performance of Bangla poetry, etc... Besides, material from all periods will be studied according to the student's scholarly interests. Thibaut d’Hubert, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Readings: Advanced Bangla I-II-III
BANG 47900-47901-47902. PQ: Fourth year Bangla or comparable level of language skills. This course is for students who have successfully completed third and fourth year Bangla. It is divided between classes dealing with the current research themes of the instructor, and the study of material directly related with the research interests of the students. The focus is on methodology and the use of Bangla as a research language. Thibaut d’Hubert, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Hindi Courses
First Year Hindi I-II-III
HIND 10100-10200-10300. This five-day-a-week sequence presents an introduction to the world’s second most spoken language through reading, writing, listening, memorizing, and speaking. We begin with the Devanagari script, and we then introduce the Urdu script in Winter Quarter. Jason Grunebaum, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Second Year Hindi I-II-III
HIND 20100-20200-20300. PQ: First year Hindi or comparable level of language skills. This intermediate Hindi sequence presupposes knowledge of the basic grammar of Hindi and requires substantial reading and translating of Hindi prose, alongside exposure to advanced Hindi grammar topics. Regular attention is given to conversation and composition. Texts in Hindi. Staff, Autumn; Jason Grunebaum, Winter-Spring.
Third Year Hindi I-II-III
HIND 30100-30200-30300. PQ: Second year Hindi or comparable level of language skills. Readings from Hindi literary and journalistic texts and a wide array of other sources depending on student interests, with continuing grammar review and practice in listening comprehension, composition and speech. Ulrike Stark, Autumn; Tyler Williams, Winter-Spring.
Fourth Year Hindi I-II-III
HIND 40100-40200-40300. PQ: Third year Hindi or comparable level of language skills. Readings from Hindi literary and journalistic texts and a wide array of other sources depending on student interests, with continuing grammar review and practice in listening comprehension, composition and speech. Ulrike Stark, Autumn; Tyler Williams, Winter-Spring.
Readings: Advanced Hindi I-II-III
HIND 47900-47901-47902. PQ: Fourth year Hindi or comparable level of language skills. Readings from Hindi literary and journalistic texts and a wide array of other sources depending on student interests, with continuing grammar review and practice in listening comprehension, composition and speech. Ulrike Stark, Autumn; Tyler Williams, Winter-Spring.
Marathi Courses
First Year Marathi I-II-III
MARA 10100-10200-10300. This sequence follows the textbook Marathi in Context (with its online supplement Marathi Online) in its focus on developing the basic skills—comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing—of Marathi language use. It covers all the fundamentals of Marathi grammar, but only as they are encountered in context, within a wide array of social and conversational “situations.” Philip Engblom, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Second Year Marathi I-II-III
MARA 20100-20200-20300. PQ: First year Marathi or comparable level of language skills. This sequence significantly extends both the breadth and the depth of the social and conversational situations introduced in the first year and includes numerous readings, largely from An Intermediate Marathi Reader. It covers all the grammar required for reading most kinds of modern Marathi prose texts. Philip Engblom, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Sanskrit
First Year Sanskrit I-II-III
SANS 10100-10200-10300. The first half (about fifteen weeks) of this sequence is spent mastering the reading and writing of the Devanagari script and studying the grammar of the classical Sanskrit language. The remainder of the sequence is devoted to close analytical reading of simple Sanskrit texts, which are used to reinforce the grammatical study done in the first half of this course. The aim is to bring students to the point where they are comfortably able, with the help of a dictionary, to read simple, narrative Sanskrit. Texts in Sanskrit. Staff, Autumn; Staff, Winter; Whitney Cox, Spring.
Second Year Sanskrit I-II-III
SANS 20100-20200-20300. PQ: First year Sanskrit or comparable level of language skills. This sequence begins with a rapid review of grammar learned in the introductory course, followed by readings from a variety of Sanskrit texts. The goals are to consolidate grammatical knowledge, expand vocabulary, and gain confidence in reading different styles of Sanskrit independently. The winter quarter will be a reading of the Mahabharata. Whitney Cox, Autumn; Wendy Doniger, Winter; Gary Tubb, Spring.
Third Year Sanskrit I-II-III
SANS 30100-30200-30300. PQ: Second year Sanskrit or comparable level of language skills. Reading selections introduce major Sanskrit genres, including verse and prose narrative, lyric poetry, drama, and the intellectual discourse of religion, philosophy, and the sciences. Analysis of the language and style employed in commentarial texts and practice in reading such texts is also emphasized. Whitney Cox, Autumn; Wendy Doniger, Winter; Gary Tubb, Spring.
Fourth Year Sanskrit I-II-III
SANS 40100-40200-40300. PQ: Third year Sanskrit or comparable level of language skills. The goal of this sequence is to provide students with strong reading expertise in a wide range of Sanskrit texts in literature (poems and plays, verse and prose) and the scientific and philosophical discourses (e.g., grammar, logic, poetic theory, Buddhist thought), and commentarial literature on both. Gary Tubb, Autumn; Gary Tubb, Winter; Daniel Arnold, Spring.
Readings: Advanced Sanskrit I-II-III
SANS 47900-47901-47902. PQ: Fourth year Sanskrit or comparable level of language skills. Readings drawn from texts at an advanced level of difficulty in any of the relevant genres of Sanskrit, including literature, philosophy, literary theory, and religion, for students who have already completed fourth-year Sanskrit. Continuing attention is given to matters of grammar, style, scholastic techniques, and intellectual and cultural content. Gary Tubb, Autumn; Gary Tubb, Winter; Daniel Arnold, Spring.
Tamil Courses
First Year Tamil I-II-III
TAML 10100-10200-10300 (=LGLN 10115-10215-10315). The grammar of modern Tamil, in its manifestation both in colloquial and formal styles, and a good amount of vocabulary needed for referring to the immediate environment and using in day today transactions will be acquired. The four language skills acquired will be at different levels of proficiency with listening and speaking at the top followed by reading of formal texts and ending with basic writing skills in the formal style. The gradual progression in listening will be from teacher–student to speaker-speaker; in speaking it will be from articulation of sounds and intonation to expressing personal needs and interests, performing practical tasks, narrating experience and expressing emotions; in reading it will be from alphabet and spelling in the two styles to sign boards, controlled texts, factual news stories, interpretive reports and jokes; in writing from conversion of colloquial style into conventional style to personal letters, paraphrasing and translation of sentences. The tools used are classroom conversations, conversational tapes, videos, graded print materials, select materials from the print media including tales, which are complemented by exercises and quizzes. The basic pedagogical materials are accessible at https://tamilcourse.uchicago.edu/. E. Annamalai, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Second Year Tamil I-II-III
TAML 20100-20200-20300 (=LGLN 20115-20215-20315). PQ: First year Tamil or comparable level of language skills. This sequence is structured in a similar fashion as in the first year to develop the higher order of the four language skills. All materials, aural and visual, will be uncontrolled and unedited. The student will be introduced to web sources and dictionaries for self-reference and to using Unicode for writing. The student also will be exposed to dialects to have a taste of them. At the end of the course, the student will be able to converse in Tamil about specific topics of interest, to understand programs in the visual media including lyrics, to ask questions in field work situations, to read and understand texts on current events in newspapers and magazines, to understand and appreciate modern fiction and poetry, to read and understand public communications such as pamphlets, invitations, announcements, advertisements, and public speeches, and to write short essays and reports. If there is interest, web pages will be added to printed pages for reading and email and chat groups will be added for practicing writing. The basic pedagogical materials are accessible at https://tamilcourse.uchicago.edu/. E. Annamalai, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Third Year Tamil I-II-III
TAML 30100-30200-30300. PQ: Second year Tamil or comparable level of language skills. On the basis of a variety of readings, such as short stories, poems, excerpts from novels or non-fiction, this course addresses those issues of modern written Tamil grammar which have not been covered during the previous two years. Readings are typically selected with a view to providing important cultural information, and they are supplemented by film clips and other media. Class content may be chosen or adapted based on particular student needs. Further work on listening and speaking proficiency is also part of the course. Based on prior consultation with instructor regarding placement, this course might be an appropriate starting point for speakers of Tamil with previous knowledge (e.g., heritage students). Sascha Ebeling, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Fourth Year Tamil I-II-III
TAML 40100-40200-40300. PQ: Third year Tamil or comparable level of language skills. This course typically includes an introduction to Classical Tamil grammar and literature, with sample readings reaching from the oldest known Tamil literature (Sangam poetry) via bhakti poems to the magnificent courtly compositions of the high and late medieval periods. Various other types of linguistic variation may also be studied, e.g. inscriptional Tamil or dialects/regional language registers. Depending on the students’ needs, an overview of Tamil literary history is also given. Native or heritage speakers of Tamil are required to have a solid knowledge of modern Tamil grammar. Sascha Ebeling, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Readings: Advanced Tamil I-II-III
TAML 47900-47901-47902. PQ: Fourth year Tamil or comparable level of language skills. This course is for students who have successfully completed third- and fourth-year Tamil. It is typically tailored to student needs in terms of the selection of texts to be addressed and discussed. Depending on their interest, students may choose to read Tamil texts from any time period, country or genre. Prior consent of instructor is required. Sascha Ebeling, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
The Metrical Language of Tamil Poetry
TAML 47904. This will be a lecture cum workshop. It will trace the history of the prosody used in Tamil literary works from the beginning to the modern from the points of its grammar, development and the demands on it from the emergence of new genres, literary themes and audience. The workshop part will consist of doing prosodic analysis of selected literary works. E. Annamalai. Spring 2019.
Tibetan Courses
First Year Tibetan I-II-III
TBTN 10100-10200-10300. The Tibetan language, with a history going back more than one thousand years, is one of Asia’s major literary languages. At the present time, it is the first language of close to seven million people in Tibet, as well as in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. The textbook is The Manual of Standard Tibetan by Nicolas Tournade and Sangda Dorje. This introductory sequence covers the script and pronunciation, the grammar of the modern Lhasa dialect, as well as basic reading and speaking skills. Karma Ngodup, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Second Year Tibetan I-II-III
TBTN 20100-20200-20300. PQ: First year Tibetan or comparable level of language skills. This intermediate sequence covers second-level pronunciation and grammar of the modern Lhasa dialect, as well as intermediate-level reading and speaking skills. Karma Ngodup, Autumn-Winter; Staff, Spring.
Third Year Tibetan I-II-III
TBTN 30100-30200-30300. PQ: Second year Tibetan or comparable level of language skills. The third- and fourth-year sequence is meant to expose students to a range of genres in Tibetan literature, including religious, historical, philosophical, scientific, and literary works. Instruction consists in guided readings, with continuing grammar review, practice in speaking, and application of philological methods. Christian Wedemeyer, Autumn; Matthew Kapstein, Winter; Karma Ngodup, Spring.
Fourth Year Tibetan I-II-III
TBTN 40100-40200-40300. PQ: Third year Tibetan or comparable level of language skills. The third- and fourth-year sequence is meant to expose students to a range of genres in Tibetan literature, including religious, historical, philosophical, scientific, and literary works. Instruction consists in guided readings, with continuing grammar review, practice in speaking, and application of philological methods. Christian Wedemeyer, Autumn; Matthew Kapstein, Winter; Karma Ngodup, Spring.
Readings: Advanced Tibetan I-II-III
TBTN 47900-47901-47902. PQ: Fourth year Tibetan or comparable level of language skills. Readings: Advanced Tibetan is for students who have successfully completed third year and fourth year or equivalent with placement test. The sequence is meant to expose students to a range of genres in Tibetan literature, including religious, historical, philosophical, scientific, and literary works. Instruction includes guided readings with continuing grammar review, practice in speaking, and application of philological methods. Christian Wedemeyer, Autumn; Matthew Kapstein, Winter; Karma Ngodup, Spring.
Urdu Courses
First Year Urdu I-II-III
URDU 10100-10200-10300. Spoken by over thirty-five million people in South Asia, Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and one of the official languages of India. It is written in the Perso-Arabic script, which facilitates learning to read and write several other South Asian languages. This three-quarter sequence covers basic grammar and vocabulary. Our text is C. M. Naim’s Introductory Urdu, Volumes I and II. Students learn to read and write the Urdu script, as well as to compose/write in Urdu. By the end of three quarters students have covered all the major grammatical structures of the language. We also emphasize aural and oral skills (i.e., listening, pronunciation, speaking). These courses must be taken in sequence, since the script is introduced in the Autumn quarter. Students should also be aware that they need to contact the instructor ahead of time to discuss scheduling if they are planning to take this course. Elena Bashir, Autumn-Winter-Spring. Prospective students should contact instructor: ebashir@uchicago.edu.
Second Year Urdu I-II-III
URDU 20100-20200-20300. PQ: First year Urdu or comparable level of language skills. This sequence is a continuation of URDU 10100-10200-10300. There is increased emphasis on vocabulary building and reading progressively complex texts. Depending on ability levels and interests of the students, readings can include selections from various original sources. Elena Bashir, Autumn-Winter-Spring. Prospective students should contact instructor: ebashir@uchicago.edu.
Third Year Urdu I-II-III
URDU 30100-30200-30300. PQ: Second year Urdu or comparable level of language skills. The third- and fourth-year sequence consists of courses primarily in Urdu prose, meant for students who have already mastered the grammar and control vocabulary past the basic level. The two-year cycle includes passages/selections from noted Urdu writers from the late eighteenth through the twentieth century. The sequence has two major goals. The first goal is to emphasize training in comprehension, reading, writing, philology, and discussion (in Urdu). A second goal is to encourage analysis of the widely acknowledged masters of Urdu style by locating them within the larger context of early modern and modern South Asian social and intellectual history. Muzaffar Alam, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Fourth Year Urdu I-II-III
URDU 40100-40200-40300. PQ: Third year Urdu or comparable level of language skills. The third- and fourth-year sequence consists of courses primarily in Urdu prose, meant for students who have already mastered the grammar and control vocabulary past the basic level. The two-year cycle includes passages/selections from noted Urdu writers from the late eighteenth through the twentieth century. The sequence has two major goals. The first goal is to emphasize training in comprehension, reading, writing, philology, and discussion (in Urdu). A second goal is to encourage analysis of the widely acknowledged masters of Urdu style by locating them within the larger context of early modern and modern South Asian social and intellectual history. Muzaffar Alam, Autumn-Winter-Spring.
Readings: Advanced Urdu I-II-III
URDU 47900-47901-47902. PQ: Fourth year Urdu or comparable level of language skills. This course is for students who have successfully completed third- and fourth-year Urdu. It is typically tailored to student needs in terms of the selection of texts to be addressed and discussed. Depending on their interest, students may choose to read Urdu texts from any time period, country or genre. Prior consent of instructor is required. Muzaffar Alam, Autumn-Winter-Spring.