The First Two Years

General requirements

Sixteen half-courses and a minimum of two years in residence are required.  

Core requirements

1. A minimum of four half-courses in Sanskrit, Tibetan, or (with approval) another South Asian language at the advanced level.
2. Two half-courses in a second South Asian language.
3. Eight half-courses in the student’s special fields, including related courses in other departments.
4. Reading knowledge of two modern research languages, generally French and German. A language exam must be passed with an honors grade by the end of the second year of residence. Another modern language relevant to the student’s special field, but not the student’s native language, may be substituted for one but not both of the required languages.

Language requirements

Written examinations in two modern research languages, generally French and German, must be passed with an honors grade by the end of the second year of residence. Another modern language relevant to the student’s special field, but not the student’s native language, may be substituted for one but not both of the required languages.

Second Year Review

A Second Year Review normally occurs in the third or fourth semester of studies. General guidelines for this review are as follows: 

When the student is ready, she or he will submit the “Notice of the Intent to Take Second Year Review” form in which the Review Committee is proposed by the student and the advisor. It will normally consist of the student’s advisor and one other faculty member outside the student’s specialization. A term paper completed for a seminar will serve as the basis of the review (although two papers may be submitted for discussion if the student so wishes), and the Committee will usually convene for one to two hours.