Oriental Languages and Cultures

The general objective of this course is the acquisition of a solid knowledge of Indian literature and philosophy from classical and medieval times. This aim will be achieved mostly by frontal classes, during which students will be stimulated to discuss and to analyze different Indian texts. The main competence that students should achieve at the end of this course is the exact contextualization of various texts in their historical, philosophical, and linguistic framework. This competence can be enhanced by the courses of Sanskrit Language and Literature, Indian Religions and Philosophies, and Society and Culture in India. Specific objectives Qualifications are awarded to students who:  have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of different aspects of Old Indian literary and philosophical production, and are able to elaborate original ideas about it;  are capable to apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that they can critically analyze a text, through assessing it in its historical, philosophical, and linguistic framework;  have the ability to gather and interpret, by preparing book reports, relevant data to summarise the contents of Indian primary sources;  can communicate, by preparing reports, commentaries, and annotated translations, the main issues that characterised the Old Indian literary and philosophical production;  have developed those learning skills that are necessary to a deeper understanding of Old Indian literature in a critical perspective.