Courses
SLS 101: Introduction to Language
This course is designed to improve the writing skills of students by providing them with basic ideas on the communication aspects of language, language evolution, and language planning.
The course will introduce students to the basic aspects of communication and its function, linguistic diversity and contextuality, language change, and regional dialect variations.
SLS 102: Introduction to Literature
The main objective of this course is to examine how literature should be appreciated, and how it could be utilized to understand life. The course will seek to provide adequate information on issues such as: What is literature? Why should literature be considered important? Is literature only a form of entertainment? What are the definitions, interpretations, concepts, and attitudes that were prevalent about literature throughout the ages? and What are the principles of literature?
SLS 201: Classical Sinhala Prose
The objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of classical Sinhala prose literature from the beginning of the Polonnaruva period up to the end of the Sitawaka period.
The course will concentrate on the social, religious, and political conditions of the times, as well as on textual study. Students are expected to gain a deep understanding of the prescribed texts selected from the relevant period. The language, styles, content, as well as the literary quality of the texts will be studied.
SLS 202: Oriental Drama and Modern Sinhala Theatre
The objective of this course is to privide an introduction to the elements of drama in general, and traditions of oriental drama in particular.
Indian, Chinese, and Japanese traditions of drama will be studied together in the course, followed by an analysis of rituals of Sri Lanka that contain dramatic elements, and interludes. One of the main features of this course will be the focus on Indian and Sri Lankan folk theatre. The influence of western traditions on modern Sinhala theatre too will be taken up, as the modern Sinhala theatre is the main subject of the course. Upon
completion of the course students will have gained a comprehensive knowledge of the origins, evolution, and the current state of the Sri Lankan theatre. The course will also examine the various sources of influence on, as well as the social and political significance of, contemporary Sri Lankan drama. Further, students will be given training in acting, script writing, and the direction of plays.
SLS 203: Research Methods and Textual Criticism
The objective of this course, consisting of two parts, Research Methods and Textual Criticism, is to train students in the identification, interpretation, and scientific editing of manuscripts using modern research methods.
Under research methodology, critical reading, methods of data collection, and preparation of research reports and articles will be taught. The course will concentrate on the appropriate use of the language and related technical issues. Under textual criticism and editing, attention will be paid to the collection and editing of oral literature, manuscripts, palm leaf manuscripts, and unpublished material of literary, social, and religious significance.
SLS 204: Sinhalese Culture 1—The Early Period
The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the beginning and development of Sinhalese culture. Upon completion of the course the students will have gained a sound knowledge of the special characteristics of Sinhalese culture of the early period, and the features that make it distinctly different from Indian culture.
The culture of Sri Lanka that existed in prehistoric times, and the changes and developments that it underwent in the fields of art and architecture, as well as in religious, social and political spheres, will be the main themes of the course. Further, the course will study the influence of various Indian traditions on such areas as Sri Lankan art, literature, sculpture, architecture, and folk culture.
SLS 205: Creative Writing
This course is designed to train students in creative fields such as poetry, fiction, and drama. Imparting a knowledge of the principles of creative writing, and training students in the appreciation of artistic/creative writing, and practice through exercises are the main objectives of the course.
The study of elements and principles of creative writing is an essential component of the course. Attention will also be paid to the development of individual styles and writing skills of the students. Students will be trained to assess and enjoy high-quality poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as to improve their own talents in creative writing. Students will be required to produce an original creation of their own in order to complete the course.
SLS 206: Grammar of Literary Sinhala
The objective of the course is to introduce to students the practical usage of modern Sinhala, and train them to write grammatically correct Sinhala. Upon completion of the course the student will be competent in spelling and division, and also possess a sound understanding of complex problems of grammar and syntax in modern literary Sinhala, particularly those that occur in common usage. Both conventional and modern works by renowned authors will be used for teaching and clarifying rules, idioms, and common errors often found in contemporary literary Sinhala.
SLS 207: Sinhala Poetry from the Sitawaka Period to the Present
This course concentrates on the history and the evolution of Sinhala poetry from the Sitawaka period to the present. Upon completion of the course the student will be able to identify the main features of the Sinhala poetry of the “decadent” or “dark” period, to appreciate folk poetry, to identify the work of new poets who are socially and politically motivated, as well as to identify the new forms, trends and styles that the Sinhalese poets of modern times have borrowed from the west.
New influences, traditions and trends that occurred during the colonial period will be studied in the course with special emphapsis on the decline of the classical epic tradition and rise of folk poetry. The relationship of Buddhism and Sihala-Buddhist literature, and the role of Buddhism as a main source of inspiration, and the emergence of poetry written on personal experiences and emotions during the post-colonial period too, will be examined.
Among the main topics studied in the course are: The background to the poetry of the Sitawaka period; Folk poems and ballads; Religious poems of the Kandy and Matara periods; The emergence of a new middle class in colonial Sri Lanka; The national renaissance and literature; The new age poetry or the beginning of the Colombo period; The European influence; and The response of poets to contemporary social and political trends.
SLS 208: Sinhala Textual Studies
This course is designed for studying the language, styles, and vocabulary of texts in the following categories: non-literary material of classical times, non-literary material of modern times, religious, especially non-Buddhist, texts, books on philosophy and psychology, books on sociology, anthropology and geography, and books on medicine, computer science, information technology and other science subjects, and biographies.
This course aims to study various texts written on non-literary subjects and folk traditions. Emphasis will be placed on a selection of texts from disciplines other than literature and drama. A special line of interest will be the development, evolution, and innovation in vocabulary and style that have occurred as a result of the Sinhalese language being used to write texts on a variety of new subjects. The course will also examine how Sinhala writers have faced the challenge of writing on new subjects such as astronomy, computer science, and information technology. This course will familiarize students with the new trends, styles, and vocabularies that have been introduced and used by various writers of modern times, and their contribution to the development of the language, and in increasing its the flexibility and strength as a medium of communication.
SLS 209: Mass Communication and Journalism
This course is designed to provide a basic knowledge in mass communication and journalism. Both theory and practice will be incorporated. Print media as well as recent developments in the electronic media, their application and effect on the life and culture of modern man will be highlighted. The course will also concentrate on the impact of mass media on politics and economics, issues relating to the freedom of the press, as well as the contribution made by mass media to safeguarde human rights. Upon successful completion of the course the student will be equipped with an understanding of the history, principles, and social and economic implications of various modes of mass communication. Student will also gain practical knowledge and experience in journalism, broadcasting, and telecasting.
The main topics taught in the course are: An introduction to mass media; Theories and concepts of mass communication; Print media; Electronic media: telephone, radio, TV, etc.; Modern technology; Recent developments in communication; The influence of mass media on society and culture; Journalism and the journalist; Legal issues connected with the media; and Practical and field work.
SLS 210: Translation and Techniques of Translation
The objective of this course is to train students in translation to meet the demands of contemporary society. Students will gain through this course a knowledge of the principles of translation, practical problems in translation, and comparative and contrastive aspects of language. It is hoped that the course will help students turn into competent translators.
A substantial amount of practical work will be required for the successful completion of the course. General and non-literary material, academic and research material, and literary material (fiction, poetry, and drama) will be used in the practice of tranlation. Translation from English into Sinhala and vice versa will form the bulk of the practical work, while translation from and into other relevant languages too will be permitted. In addition to the semester-end examination, students will be required to undertake (and complete) as an independent project, the translation of a book or selections from books.
SLS 301: Classical Sinhala Poetry
The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the early period in Sinhala poetry.
Attention will be paid to the epic poems and shorter poems known as
Khanda kavya which have been composed according to the teaching in Siyabaslakara.
The influence of the Sanskrit epic poems as well as the critical tradition known as the
Alamkaravada will be studied for a critical and analytical study of prescribed texts. The course will cover the period from 9th century AD to 10th century AD, examining the thematic and formal evolution of Sinhala poetry.
SLS 302: The Sinhala Short Story
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the main aspects of the Sinhala short story, tracing its evolution into a powerful literary genre.
Following the introduction, the course will concentrate on critical analysis and evaluation of the work of some international and national authors, highlighting the significance of themes, subject matter, form, character, techniques and styles. Special attention will be paid to the influence of foreign traditions of short story writing upon the Sinhala short story. Authors such as Edgar Allen Poe, Guy de Maupassant, Anton Checkov, Katherine Mansfield, James Joyce, and Ernest Hemmingway will be selected together with relevant local authors for comparison.
SLS 303: Introduction to Linguistics
The history and the development of modern linguistics, its various branches and traditions, will be the focus of the introduction to this course.
Following an overview of linguistics in ancient India, the course will study the principles of modern European linguistics. Important aspects in linguistics such as morphology, phonology, morphemes and phonemes will be studied in detail. Further, structural linguistics and sociolinguistics too will be studied in order to ascertain their applicability to the Sinhala language.
SLS 304: Principles of Western Literary Criticism
The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the origins and development of Western literary theory.
The course will first concentrate an the ideas and concepts of poetry, drama and art found in the works of Plato and Aristotle. The course will then focus on various important theories of later times, from Formalism to Post-Modernism. While studying these critical traditions, attention will be focused on how practical and applicable they are, and the suitability of these theories for analyzing and appreciating Sinhala literature. Some major concepts of evaluation of literature developed in India in the classical period will also be considered for comparison with relevant Western theories of literary criticism.
SLS 305: Sinhala Culture—The Medieval Period
This course is designed to study the origins and evolution of Sinhala social and religious institutions from the Anuradhapura period up to the Kandy period (16th century).
The influence of Indian traditions on the art, architecture and other cultural aspects of Sri Lanka too will be taken into consideration in the course . Field trips will be arranged to relevant sites.
SLS 306: Sinhala Fiction—The Novel
The objective of this course is to trace the evolution of various traditions, forms, concerns, and styles in the Sinhala novel.
The efforts of Sinhala writers of fiction to draw inspiration from world renowned authors together with the resultant new trends will be a focus of the course. Attention will be paid to the treatment of contemporary social, political and cultural issues by Sinhala novelists. As a basis for this course an overview of modern European critical approaches to the novel will be provided to students.
SLS 307: Practical Criticism and Literary Appreciation
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the history of western and eastern literary theories in general, and to practical criticism in particular.
For a comparative study of the subject, Indian theories of literary appreciation will also be discussed. The course will concentrate on identifying the theories most suitable for the study of the literature of Sri Lanka and train students to examine the practicability of each theory and tradition. The objective of the course is to provide a training in the art of the criticism of literature while helping students cultivate a better taste in literature and the arts in general. Selections from classical as well as modern literature will be used for practical work.
SLS 308: The Sigiri Graffiti and Traditional Sinhala Poetry
The aim of this course is to study the meaning, language, figures of speech and other artistic features in selected Sigiri poems.
Topics in this course will include the history of Sigiriya and its graffiti, the traditions of Sinhala epic writing, and the impact of Indian traditions.
SLS 309: Sinhala Prose from the 13th Century to the Beginning of the 20th Century
The objective of this course is to study Sinhala prose literature from the 13th century (Kurunegala Period) up to the beginning of the 20th century (Modern Period). Emphasis will be placed on how Sinhala prose began to decline after the Kurunegala Period and how it began to develop again with the introduction of a new educational system, the printing press, and the establishment of pirivenas and universities. The language of the main classical texts of the Gampola and Kotte periods and Sinhala translations of the Bible and their influence on the writers of the 20th century will be studied in the course. The development of modern Sinhala prose as a powerful medium of communication and creative and scientific writing will be highlighted with relevant examples.
SLS 310: Modern Sinhala Prose (Non Fiction)
The aim of this course is to study the language used by writers of non-fictional prose in the modern period, mainly in the 20th century.
With the introduction of a new educational system, books or a variety of new subjects were written in Sinhala for use at both school and university levels. The Sinhala prose used in these new books and scientific and critical works including books on subjects such as history, sociology, archaeology, psychology, will be taken into consideration with a view to evaluating the expansion and development of the vocabulary, syntax and flexibility of the language.
SLS 401: Sinhala Exegetical Literature
The objective of this course is the study of the exegetical literature which is an extremely important part of the Sinhala literary tradition.
An understanding of parts of early exegetical works such as Dampiya Atuwa Gatapadaya, Sikawalanda Vinisa, and a knowledge of the exegetical works produced in the Kandy period will be provided. Emphasis will be placed on how a tradition of scholarship arose due to the production of exegetical works and how it affected the evolution of the language.
SLS 402: Historical Linguistics and Classical Grammar
The objective of this course is to examine the evolution of language, placing emphasis on how language contact occurred along with internal change.
While introducing the fundamental concepts of historical linguistics, a special study will made in the course, of the grammatical concepts found in the Sidath Sangarawa.
SLS 403: Epigraphy and Sinhala Inscriptions
The objective of this course is the study of the manner in which the Sinhala alphabet evolved as an independent writing system.
The course will examine prescribed inscriptions, focusing attention on history, epigraphy, language, and grammatical features.
(Students have the option of selecting one of these two courses [SLS 402 & SLS 403].
SLS 404: Comparative Literature
The objective of this course is the introduction of new trends and developments in world literature.
Each year, attention will be focussed on one genre out of fiction, poetry, and drama. Students will be encouraged to study the works in their original languages. Sinhala or English translations will also be utilized.
SLS 405: Principles of Aesthetics and Arts
The objective of this course is the introduction of the basic principles of aesthetics as found in the Indian and western traditions.
The course intends to foster the development of appreciative and critical abilities in students through a knowledge of eastern and western philosophies and ancient as well as modern ideologies of art.
(Students have the option of selecting one of these two courses [SLS 404 & SLS 405].
SLS 498: Dissertation
Compulsory
Students are expected to identify the theme of the dissertation, make a literature survey, identify the methodology, and to plan the organization of chapters.
SLS 407: Principles of Sanskrit Literary Poetics and Sinhala Prosody
Compulsory
The objective of this course is the study of the historical development of traditions of Sanskrit poetry and prosody.
Attention will be directed in the course to the study of principle concepts such as Rasavadaya, Gunareethivadaya, Ouchiththiwadaya, and Dhwanivadaya. An in-depth study of basic Sanskrit definitions and a study of metrical forms such as Gi, Siwpada, and Silo of the Sinhala poetic tradition will also be made.
SLS: 408 Sinhala Folklore and Beliefs
The objective of this course is the study and classification of oral literature, material culture, social customs, and the performing arts that constitute the foundation of the study of folklore and folk life.
A study of folk songs, dance, music, folk tales, folk usage, and traditional skills and beliefs as reflected in Sinhalese folk society will be made in the course.
SLS 409: A Study of the Sinhala Word-Stock
This course is designed to widen the knowledge of the Sinhala word-stock of students reading Sinhala for the Special Degree, through an in-depth study of the derived words, native words, borrowed words, and usage, found in the different phases of the evolution of the Sinhala language.
After an examination of the native word group, the course will examine derived and borrowed word groups from Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Tamil, Portuguese, Dutch, and English. This will be followed by a study of linguistic forms and uncertain etymologies found in folk usage together with their applications.
SLS 410: The Study of Culture and Society through Literature
The objective of this course is the study of literature in a novel form. This shall be directed towards social phenomena through an inquiry into literature from the social point of view.
A study of classical works from an anthropological and sociological point of view will be relevant.
SLS 499 Dissertation
Completion of the dissertation indicated above in SLS 406.