RS4S05 - Pali Language 09 Jan 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: RS4S05
Module Title: Pali Language
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Culture and Animation
Faculty Sub Group: Culture
Module Leader: Nick Swann
Module Team: Sarah Shaw
First Intended Intake: FEB 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100798 - buddhism
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 09 Jan 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To engage students with the basic principles of Pali language, forming the foundation for further self-study

To develop students’ critical skills with regard to the textual study of Buddhism.

Content Summary

Pali is a key language of Buddhism, and knowledge of Pali gives the student access to a substantial body of primary literature unfiltered by the conventions of translation. While not necessarily an ‘easy’ language, it is nonetheless quite straightforward to study and a working knowledge can be acquired in a short period of time.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 60
Active/Simulation Based 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Pali grammar and vocabulary sufficient to enable translation of Pali Buddhist texts and chants in roman script.
LO2 Evaluate the problems relating to the translation of Buddhist texts and chants in Pali.

Module Requisites

Code Title Requisite Type
MOD011522 Buddhist Traditions pre-requisite
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Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Set Exercise - Time Constrained (EX) Classroom Test Time Constrained (EX) 2 A timed, test distributed by the tutor. 210 N/A 75 No 40
Set Exercise - Time Constrained (EX) Classroom Test Time Constrained (EX) 1 A timed, test distributed by the tutor. 90 N/A 25 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Classroom Test Time Constrained (EX) 2
Classroom Test Time Constrained (EX) 1

Reading List

Geiger, W. (1994) A Pali Grammar. Melksham, Pali Text Society.

Warder, A. K. (1995) An Introduction to Pali. Melksham, Pali Text Society

Rhys-Davids, T. W. & Steede, W. (1925) The Pali Text Society’s Pali-English Dictionary. Melksham, Pali Text Society.