MA — S (A): Iraiyaṉār Akapporuḷ with Nakkīraṉ's commentary [W: 4 LP] [SG/CDL: 4 LP] 

Tuesdays 16:15–17:45, AT1 R-113, from 13.10.2026   Leo Rishi Nelson-Jones

In this course, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of akam poetics. We will trace the development of different models of akam poetic theory through readings of key theoretical texts such as the Tolkāppiyam Poruḷatikāram and the Iṟaiyaṉār Akapporuḷ, as well illustrative poetic examples.

MA — SLV (A): Introduction to Classical Tamil [W: 3 LP] [SG/CDL: 3 LP]

Mondays 14:15–15:45 & Thursdays 16:15–17:45, AT1 R-113, from 12.10.2026    Neela Bhaskar & Maanasa Visweswaran

This introductory course is aimed at students with some knowledge of Tamil. It will introduce the syntax and grammar of the Classical language through readings in poetry and prose.

MA — S (A): Traces of Vedic Religion in Puṟam Poetry [IND 4] [W: 3 LP] [SG/CDL: 3 LP]

Tuesdays 14:15–15:45, AT1 R-113, from 13.10.2026   Roland Ferenczi

This seminar will examine the corpus of Old Tamil through the lens of brahmanical rites and rituals. It will focus mainly on puṟam poems, i.e.., those devoted to themes of heroism and war.

MA — S (A): Readings in Tamil Traditional Śāstras (grammar, lexicography, metrics) [W: 3 LP] [SG/CDL: 3 LP]

Thursdays 14:15–15:45, AT1 R-113, from 15.10.2026   Jean-Luc Chevillard

In this course, students will be introduced to the Tolkāppiyam. Although often described as a grammatical treatise, it also contains a section on lexicography as well as an exposition of Classical Tamil metrics. During this term we shall alternate between reading the Vēṟṟumaimayaṅkiyal, 3rd chapter of the Collatikāram, and exploring the global structure of the Eḻuttatikāram

MA — S (A): Computational Philology: Introduction, Approaches, Critiques [W: 3 LP] [SG/CDL: 3 LP]

Mondays 10:15–11:45, AT1 R-113, from 12.10.2026    Charles Li

How can technology aid us in philological work — understanding, contextualizing, and critically editing texts? This class will explore a number of tools and techniques, and discuss approaches to working with a single manuscript, multiple witnesses texts, or a whole corpus in multiple languages. Depending on interest, we will focus variously on Pali, Sanskrit, Tamil, & Tibetan. This seminar can also be used as an opportunity for participants to workshop their own project, whether it is a critical edition of a single text or a broader study. A provisional syllabus will be distributed closer to the beginning of the course.