Buddhist Studies

This course introduces students to Literary Manchu, the written language of the Manchu Qing dynasty (1636-1912). The course covers the language’s phonology, Mongolian-derived vertical writing system, and its grammar. For the first four weeks, students learn basic skills, the language’s phonology and grammar, the vertical script, and a standard system of transcription. During this period, modest assignments and an examination shore up these fundamentals. Thereafter, students are immersed reading texts. Class time is devoted to reading comprehension, translation, and analysis as students take turns reading and translating passages. The principal evaluation during this period is of students’ preparation and performance.Prerequisites: None