Sanskrit is the venerable literary language of India. Its earliest works date back to the ancient Vedas, composed in 1000 BCE, and it continues to be used in some circles in contemporary South Asia. For many centuries it served as the primary medium through which the literate civilization of India expressed itself. Sanskrit is the religious language of the Hindu scriptures, and of many Buddhist and Jain works as well. In classical and medieval India it was the language of poetry, philosophy, politics, history, science, and innumerable technical fields. It is a “perfected language” whose grammar was first codified by Panini in the fourth century BCE.
Sanskrit at Bard
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Religion ProgramAt Bard, the study of religion is undertaken as an interdisciplinary examination of various ways in which religion operates in and affects life. Courses in the program approach religion through multiple questions and perspectives, including the study of scripture, the performance of religion in everyday life, intersections of religion and politics, religion and material culture, and the evolution of concepts like tradition, modernity, and secularism.
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Bard Language SupportThere are no dedicated Language Center tutors for the Classics program, but you can schedule a one-on-one subject tutoring session through the Learning Commons using this form:
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Study AbroadBard College offers a number of study abroad opportunities for students. While some programs have a strong focus on basic language acquisition coupled with an intensive program abroad, other programs allow exploration in advanced liberal arts courses through affiliated or independent institutions.
Study Abroad
Bard College offers a number of study abroad opportunities for students. While some programs have a strong focus on basic language acquisition coupled with an intensive program abroad, other programs allow exploration in advanced liberal arts courses through affiliated or independent institutions.
Recommended Programs Abroad Expand
For more details, contact Professor Richard Davis (rdavis@bard.edu).
American Institute of Indian Studies
Sanksrit Language Program in Pune, Maharashtra, India
Institute contact: sanskritlp@aiis.org.in
South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, Germany
Summer school in spoken Sanskrit
Institute contact: sanskrit@uni-heidelberg.de
Summer Programs (in the U.S., not abroad) Expand
Please note, the courses below are only taught within the United States. Abroad opportunities may, instead, be viewed above.
South Asia Summer Language Institute at the University of Wisconsin
Sanskrit at Harvard University
Sanskrit Learning Resources
Sanskrit resources are currently housed on Reserves Direct. For access, please contact Richard Davis at rdavis@bard.edu.