Facts & figures
Modern Languages
- #1 in Sydney
- #30 in the world
- 2020 QS World University Rankings
Faculties and schools_
Department of Indian Subcontinental Studies
The gateway to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
Exploring the intellectual, literary and artistic traditions that have shaped South Asian civilisation. We teach Sanskrit and the profound role of language in shaping Asia today.
Our study of the Indian Subcontinent moves beyond stereotypes and encourages a balanced, big-picture analysis of the region. We take pride in delivering sophisticated and insightful responses to critical issues in contemporary South Asia, including human rights issues, inter-religious tension, dowry and arranged marriages.
We offer studies in Sanskrit as well as non-language areas that explore traditional and modern cultures and religions (especially Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism). We also investigate the history, literature, politics and social structures of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan) as well as Tibet and Central Asia.
Our study offerings
Through the study of Sanskrit language, the most important classical language of the Indian subcontinent, you can explore the various intellectual, literary and artistic traditions that have shaped South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan), Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Tibet and played a profound role in forming Asia as a whole.
Undergraduate
*Available within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Visual Arts, as well as all combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees.
Our research
Our research areas include:
- The religious traditions of South Asia
- Indian religion as manifest in other parts of Asia, particularly Buddhism in Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia
- Method in the study of Indian and Buddhist thought
- Early Buddhist literature, particularly of the ‘mainstream’ schools as preserved in Pali, Gandhari, Prakrit, Buddhist Sanskrit and Chinese
- Recent discoveries of Buddhist manuscripts from Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia, with a special interest in ancient Gandhara
- Buddhist Sanskrit and the Middle Indo-Aryan languages, particularly Pali and Gandhari.
Learn more: Languages and cultures research
Our people
- Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Exchange Coordinator: mark.allon@sydney.edu.au
- Dr Chris Clark
- Dr Tamara Ditrich
- Professor Geoffrey Samuel
- Dr Peter Skilling
Events
UPDATE: In light of COVID-19 developments, please be advised this University event will no longer take place in the short term. Some of our events are transitioning to online, and these will be advertised accordingly. Let us know what event you're interested in via our online form, and we'll update you as the situation changes.
Learn more about the University’s advice regarding COVID-19 here.
Visit the School's Events calendar to see our full listing of upcoming events.
The third international congress of the World Literature Association on 'World Literatures and the Global South' was proudly hosted by the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Sydney from 23–25 August 2019.
Co-convened with the Peking University Australian Studies Centre and the World Literature Association, this international conference engaged with literary production on and from the Global South in their own languages as well as in translation.
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