Classical Tibetan II
Course Description
Classical Tibetan II teaches the second level of the Classical Tibetan language. It builds on the basic knowledge of classical Tibetan grammar and Buddhist terminology that you acquired in Classical Tibetan I. This course enhances your familiarity and fluidity with the language by guiding you through selected excerpts of classical Tibetan literature. You will be introduced to different genres of Dharma literature, both in verse and in prose.
Texts featured in this course include excerpts from such Tibetan classics as Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation, the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva by Gyalse Thogme, the Mahāyāna Heart Sūtra and The Sūtra of the Wise and the Foolish.
This is a university-level course and can be taken for academic credit through Kathmandu University (3 credits). Successful students spend approximately 6-9 hours per week studying and completing assignments. If you prefer a slower pace, please register for the interactive or self-study formats of this course.
Prerequisites:
- Completion of RYIF’s Classical Tibetan I online course, or
- One semester of academic study of classical Tibetan, or
- A comparable level of knowledge in Classical Tibetan.
Course Modules
Week 1
- 3 Video lectures
- Grammar review
- Translation of excerpts from the Jewel Ornament of Liberation
- 2 Homework assignments
- 1 Quiz
Week 2
- 3 Video lectures
- Grammar review
- Translation of excerpts from the Jewel Ornament of Liberation
- 1 Homework assignment
Week 3
- 3 Video lectures
- Grammar review
- Translation of excerpts from the Jewel Ornament of Liberation
- 3 Homework and review assignments
- 1 Quiz
Week 4
- 3 Video lectures
- Grammar review
- Translation of excerpts from the Jewel Ornament of Liberation
- 3 Homework and review assignments
- 1 Quiz
- At the end of week four, students start on their first translation homework.
Week 5
- 4 Video lectures
- Grammar review
- Translation of excerpts from the Heart Sutra
- 2 Homework assignments
- 1 Quiz
Week 6
- 3 Video lectures
- Grammar review
- Translation of excerpts from the Heart Sutra
- 1 Homework assignment
- 1 Quiz
Week 7
- 4 Video lectures
- Grammar review
- Translation of excerpts from the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish
- 3 Homework and review assignments
- 1 Quiz
Week 8
- 3 Video lectures
- Grammar review
- Translation of excerpts from the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish
- 3 Homework and review assignments
- 1 Quiz
Week 9
- 4 Video lectures
- 1 Quiz
Week 10
- 4 Video lectures
- 1 Quiz
- The use of digital dictionaries
Week 11
- 3 Video lectures
- 1 homework assignment
- Review
Week 12
- 3 Video lectures
- 1 Vocabulary quiz
- Review
Week 13
- 3 Video lectures
- 1 vocabulary quiz
- Review
Week 14
- Review
- Final exam
Students Will Receive
- Study plan
- 38 Pre-recorded PowerPoint lectures
- 7 Pre-recorded Video lectures
- Text readings
- Vocabulary guides
- Weekly quizzes
- Flash cards
- Course Completion Certificate (PDF)
- In the interactive course format, students also receive active guidance:
- Homework assignments with written evaluation by the course moderator
- Access to the private community forum
- Live Question & Answer sessions with the course moderator
- Note that Course moderators are available for live Q&A session during three semester periods:
- Fall Semester: September 1 – December 15
- Spring Semester: January 15 – May 1
- Summer Semester: June 15 – August 7
- During each active semester, moderators hold weekly live Q&A session. In the semester breaks, communication is limited to written correspondence once a week.
Instructor and Moderator
Joost Palenstijn, MA, Instructor
Enrollment is OPEN for
Self-Study
$150
/Year
- Study at your own pace
- Video lectures
- Homework assignments
- Weekly quizzes
- Links to resources and additional material
- Course completion certificate
- Course moderator
- Live Q&A sessions
- Feedback on assignments
- Exam evaluations
- For-credit
Interactive Non-credit
$325
/Year
- Study at your own pace
- Video lectures
- Homework assignments
- Weekly quizzes
- Links to resources and additional material
- Course moderator
- Live Q&A sessions
- Feedback on assignments
- Exam evaluations
- Course completion certificate
- For-Credit
Interactive
For-credit
$534
/Year
- Includes all features of the Interactive non-credit course.
