MA in Religious Studies
with Language

This 61-credit MA in Religious Studies with Language degree includes all the course work of the MA in Religious Studies degree plus training in either Sanskrit or Tibetan through two years (16 credits) of course work or more. This degree is recommended for students without previous language study interested in pursuing further academic work in the field of Religious Studies or students with a special academic interest related to studying either language.

Sanskrit
The lingua franca of Buddhism, Sanskrit stood close to the spoken tongue of the Buddha himself; it was the idiom of Indian Buddhist texts, and it functioned as the common language of Buddhism throughout Asia. The Sanskrit concentration provides students with a knowledge of Sanskrit grammar and vocabulary, as well as initial reading knowledge providing access to the world of Buddhist texts.

Tibetan
Study of the Tibetan language provides access to the rich and diverse world of Tibetan Buddhist literature, to the oral teachings of contemporary Tibetan masters, and to a great body of Indian texts that survive only in Tibetan translation. This concentration provides training in both classical Tibetan and the spoken language. Study of classic Tibetan involves learning grammar and vocabulary of the classical language and reading simple texts. Modern Tibetan is learned through the study of the contemporary idiom with practice in hearing and speaking Tibetan.