BA (Honours) in Tibetan language and literature

DLIHE facilitates all students in Tibetan Language and culture, and also has a separate Tibetan Language Literature department for students who wish to specialize.

Introduction

For centuries, Tibet has retained its indisputable identity with unique language, religion, culture and tradition. Not only its culture and language has grown with the passage of time but it has also spread its influence over its neighbouring countries like Mongolia, China, Nepal, Bhutan and the Himalayan regions.

In the mid-twentieth century, after the occupation of of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), His Holiness the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India, subsequently followed by over 80000 Tibetans. The Government of India not only granted political asylum for the Tibetan refugees, but also separate schools for Tibetan children were established, keeping in mind the importance of equipping future generations with both traditional and modern education.

Despite all these attempts, Tibetan language and culture are still at risk for the Tibetan students, After graduating from the schools, they join various Indian universities for higher education. Within such a new domain, students find themselves isolated and cut off from the study of Tibetan language and culture. Ultimately the whole purpose of preservation of identity gets diluted in the process of assimilating different cultural and social milieus.

In order to face these challenges, TCV, under the dynamic leadership of Jetsun Pema, former Minister of Education, Central Tibetan Administration, former President of TCV, the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education (DLIHE) was established in 2008 with the sole aim of offering future generations both the traditional and modern subjects. Not only does this Institute facilitate students of all the departments in the Tibetan Language and culture, but it also started a separate Tibetan Language Literature department especially for the students who wish to specialize.

Semester System

In First Semester there shall be 5 papers viz. 3 Major Tibetan Language papers, 2 Languages (English as minor and Chinese as supporting language)
In Second Semester there shall be 5 papers viz. viz. 3 Major Tibetan Language papers, 2 Languages (English as minor and Chinese as supporting language)
In Third Semester there shall be 5 papers viz. viz. 3 Major Tibetan Language papers, 2 Languages (English as minor and Chinese as supporting language)
In Fourth Semester there shall be 5 papers viz. viz. 3 Major Tibetan Language papers, 2 Languages (English as minor and Chinese as supporting language)
In Fifth Semester 3 Major Tibetan Language Papers, 1 Minor English Language Paper and Environmental Studies and Constitution & Democracy (2 General Papers )
In Sixth Semester 3 Major Tibetan Language Papers, 1 Minor English Paper and Computer Application (General Paper )
In Seventh Semester 3 Major Tibetan Language Papers, 1 Minor English Paper and Secular Ethics (General Paper )
In Eighth Semester Project ( 1 Major Paper ) and Internship ( 1 Major Paper) and 1 Minor English Paper.

Area of studies

Main subjects:

Tibetan Language
Grammar and Composition
Tibetan History
Tibetan Poetry
Buddhist Studies

Additional subjects:

English Communicational Skills
Chinese Communicational Skills
Computer Applications

Duration

The duration of the course is for four years. For the first three years, students will be taught in-depth knowledge of the above areas of the studies. The final year is left for the students to pursue specialization in any particular field of Tibetan Language and Literature.