MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale
South Asian Studies Council

Language Courses

2012-2013

BNGL 110
Introductory Bengali I (Fall)
Sreemati Mukherjee
M-F 10.30-11.20
A comprehensive approach to learning all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. At the completion of the two-term sequence students are able to read and write in Bengali, and to converse in formal and informal situations.
Course taught through distance learning using videoconferencing technology from Cornell University. Credit only on completion of BNGL 120.

BNGL 120
Introductory Bengali II (Spring)
Sreemati Mukherjee
HTBA
Continuation of BNGL 120. Course taught through distance learning using videoconferencing technology from Cornell University.

HNDI 110/HNDI 510
Elementary Hindi I (Fall)
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
(1) M-F 10.30-11.20
(2) M-F, 1.30-2.20
An in-depth introduction to modern Hindi, including the Devanagari script. A combination of graded texts, written assignments, audiovisual material, and computer-based exercises provides cultural insights and increases proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Hindi. Emphasis on spontaneous self-expression in the language. No prior background in Hindi assumed. Credit only on completion of HNDI 120.

HNDI 120/HNDI 520:
Elementary Hindi II (Spring)
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
(1) M-F 10.30-11.20
(2) M-F 1.30-2.20
Continuation of Hindi 110. After Hindi 110 or equivalent.

HNDI 130/HNDI 530
Intermediate Hindi I (Fall)
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
(1) MWF 2.30-3.20, T 9.25-10.15, Th 9.25-10.15
(2) M-F 11.35-12.25
The first half of a two-term sequence designed to develop proficiency in the four language skills. Extensive use of cultural documents including feature films, radio broadcasts, and literary and nonliterary texts to increase proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Hindi. Focus on cultural nuances and Hindi literary traditions. Emphasis on spontaneous self-expression in the language. After HNDI 120 or equivalent.

HNDI140/HNDI540
Intermediate Hindi II (Spring)
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
(1) MWF 2.30-3.20, TTh 11.35-12.25
(2) HTBA
Continuation of HNDI 130. After HNDI 130 or equivalent.

HNDI132/HNDI532
Accelerated Hindi I (Fall)
Swapna Sharma
TTh 4.00-5.15
A fast-paced course designed for students who are able to understand basic conversational Hindi but who have minimal or no literacy skills. Introduction to the Devanagari script; development of listening and speaking skills; vocabulary enrichment; attention to sociocultural rules that affect language use. Students learn to read simple texts and to converse on a variety of everyday personal and social topics.

HNDI 142/HNDI 542
Accelerated Hindi II (Spring)
Swapna Sharma
TTh 4.00-5.15
Continuation of HNDI 132. Development of increased proficiency in the four language skills. Focus on reading and higher language functions such as narration, description, and comparison. Reading strategies for parsing paragraph-length sentences in Hindi newspapers. Discussion of political, social, and cultural dimensions of Hindi culture as well as contemporary global issues.

HNDI 150/HNDI550
Advanced Hindi (Fall)
Seema Khurana
TTh 4.00-5.15
An advanced language course aimed at enabling students to engage in fluent discourse in Hindi and to achieve a comprehensive knowledge of formal grammar. Introduction to a variety of styles and levels of discourse and usage. Emphasis on the written language, with readings on general topics from newspapers, books, and magazines.

HNDI 198/HNDI 598
Advanced Tutorial (Fall & Spring)
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
HTBA
For students with advanced Hindi language skills who wish to engage in concentrated reading and research on material not otherwise offered by the department. Work must be supervised by an adviser and must terminate in a term paper or the equivalent. Permission to enroll requires submission of a detailed project proposal and its approval by the language studies coordinator.
Prerequisite: HNDI 150 or equivalent.

LING 115/LING 515/SKRT 110/SKRT 51
Introductory Sanskrit I (Fall)
David Brick
M-F 9.25-10.15
An introduction to Sanskrit language and grammar. Focus on learning to read and translate basic Sanskrit sentences in Devanagari script. No prior background in Sanskrit assumed.

LING 125/SKRT 120/LING 525/SKRT 520
Introductory Sanskrit II (Spring)
David Brick
M-F 9.25-10.15
Continuation of SKRT 110. Focus on the basics of Sanskrit grammar; readings from classical Sanskrit texts written in Devanagari script. After SKRT 110.

LING 138/LING 538/SKRT 530/SKRT 130
Intermediate Sanskrit I (Fall)
David Brick
M-F 10.30-11.20
The first half of a two-term sequence aimed at helping students develop the skills necessary to read texts written in Sanskrit. Readings include selections from the Hitopadesa, Kathasaritsagara, Mahabharata, and Bhagavadgita. After SKRT 120 or equivalent.

LING 148/LING 548/SKRT 140/SKRT 540
Intermediate Sanskrit II (Spring)
David Brick
M-F 10.30-11.20
Continuation of SKRT 130, focusing on Sanskrit literature from the kavya genre. Readings include selections from the Jatakamala of Aryasura and the opening verses of Kalidasa’s Kumarasambhava. After SKRT 130 or equivalent.

SKRT 150
Advanced Sanskrit Dharmasastra (Fall)
David Brick
MW 1.00-2.15
Introduction to Sanskrit commentarial literature, particularly to Dharmasastra, an explication and analysis of dharma (law or duty). Discussion of normative rules of human behavior; historical traditions of writing on the Indian subcontinent. Prerequisite: SKRT 140 or equivalent.

HNDI 110a
Elementary Hindi I
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
MTWThF 10.30-11.20
MTWThF 1.30-2.20
An in-depth introduction to modern Hindi, including Devanagari script. A combination of graded texts, written assignments, audiovisual material, and computer-based exercises provides cultural insights and increases proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Hindi. Emphasis on spontaneous self-expression in the language. No prior background in Hindi assumed. Credit only on completion of HNDI 120b.

HNDI 120b
Elementary Hindi II
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
MTWThF 10.30-11.20
MTWThF 1.30-2.20
Continuation of HNDI 110a.

HNDI 130a
Intermediate Hindi I
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
MTWThF 11.35-12.25
The first half of a two-term sequence designed to develop proficiency in the four language skill areas. Extensive use of cultural documents including feature films, radio broadcasts, and literary and nonliterary texts to increase proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Hindi. Focus on cultural nuances and Hindi literary traditions. Emphasis on spontaneous self-expression in the language. After HNDI 120b or equivalent.

HINDI 132a
Accelerated Hindi
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
TTh 4- 5.15 pm.
A fast-paced course designed for students who are able to understand basic conversational Hindi but have minimal or no literacy skills. Introduction to the Devanagari script; development of listening and speaking skills; vocabulary enrichment; attention to sociocultural rules that affect language use. Students learn to read simple texts and to converse on a variety of everyday personal and social topics.

HNDI 140b
Intermediate Hindi II
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
MTWThF 10.30-11.20
MTWThF 1.30-2.20
Continuation of HNDI 130a, focusing on further development of proficiency in the four language skill areas. After HNDI 130a or equivalent.

HNDI 150a
Advanced Hindi
Seema Khurana, Swapna Sharma
TTh 4-5.15
An advanced language course aimed at enabling students to engage in fluent discourse in Hindi and to avhieve a comprehensive knowledge of formal grammar. Introduction to a variety of styles and levels of discourse and usage. Emphasis on the written language, with reading on general topics from newspapers, books, and magazines. Prerequisite: HNDI 140b or permission of instructor.

HNDI 157b
Hindi in the Diaspora
Seema Khurana
TTh 4-5.15
An advanced language course designed to develop overall language skills through selected reading of Hindi literature and the study of popular culture in the Indian diaspora. Works by Suaham Bedi, Sunita Jain, and Umesh Agnihotri; theater, films, and other art forms; news articles and television programs related to political, social and cultural debates. Prerequisite: HNDI 150a or permission of instructor

.

HNDI 198a or 198b
Advanced Tutorial
Swapna Sharma
For students with advanced Hindi language skills who wish to engage in concentrated reading and research on material not otherwise offered by the department. The work must be supervised by an adviser and must terminate in a term paper or its equivalent. Permission to enroll requires submission of a detailed project proposal and its approval by the language studies coordinator. Prerequisite: HNDI 150a or permission of instructor.

SKRT 110a/LING 115a
Introductory Sanskrit I
David Brick
MTWThF 9.25-10.15
An introduction to Sanskrit language and grammar. Focus on learning to read and translate basic Sanskrit sentences in the Indian Devanagari script. No prior background in Sanskrit assumed. Credit only on completion of SKRT 120b.

SKRT 120b/LING 125b
Introductory Sanskrit II
David Brick
MTWThF 9.25-10.15
Continuation of SKRT 110a. Focus on the basics of Sanskrit grammar; readings from classical Sanskrit texts written in the Indian Devanagari script. After SKRT 110a.

SKRT 130a
Intermediate Sanskrit I
David Brick
MTWThF 10.30-11.20
The first half of a two-term sequence aimed at helping students develop the skills necessary to read texts written in Sanskrit. Readings include selections from the Hitopadesa, Kathasaritsagara, Mahabharata, and Bhagavadgita. After SKRT 120b or equivalent.

SKRT 140b
Intermediate Sanskrit II
David Brick
MTWThF 10.30-11.20
Continuation of SKRT 130a, focusing on Sanskrit literature from the kavya genre. Readings include selections from the Jatakamala of Aryasura and the opening verses of Kalidasa’s Kumarasambhava. After SKRT 130a or equivalent.

TAML 110a
Introductory Tamil I
Blake Wentworth
MTWThF 10.30-11.20
An in-depth introduction to modern Tamil, focusing on comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as on cultural understanding. Course work includes graded texts, written assignments, audiovisual material, and computer-based exercises. No prior background in Tamil assumed. Credit only on completion of TAML 120b.

TAML 120b
Introductory Tamil II
Blake Wentworth
MTWThF 10.30-11.20
Continuation of TAML 110a. After TAML 110a.

TAML 130a
Intermediate Tamil I
Blake Wentworth
MTWThF 11.35-12.25
The first half of a two-term sequence designed to develop proficiency in comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing through the use of visual media, newspapers and magazines, modern fiction and poetry, and public communications such as pamphlets, advertisements, and government announcements. Prerequisite: TAML 120b or equivalent.

TAML 140b
Intermediate Tamil II
Blake Wentworth
Continuation of TAML 130a, focusing on further development of proficiency in the four language skill areas. Prepares students to conduct fieldwork in Tamil. Prerequisite: TAML 130a or equivalent.

TAML 150b
Advanced Tamil
Staff
An advanced language course designed to help students understand speech from the public platform, conduct interviews in Tamil, and analyze texts through critical reading, discussion, writing, and translation. Texts may include creative literature of the modern period, contemporary cultural and political writings, and other genres as determined by student interest. Prerequisite: TAML 140b or equivalent.

TAML 198a or 198b
Advanced Tutorial
Blake Wentworth
For students with advanced Tamil language skills who wish to engage in concentrated reading and research on material not otherwise offered by the department. The work must be supervised by an adviser and must terminate in a term paper or its equivalent. Permission to enroll requires submission of a detailed project proposal and its approval by the instructor and the director of undergraduate studies.