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MA in English at Arya Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Mor Majra
Karnal, Haryana
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About the Specialization
What is English at Arya Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Mor Majra Karnal?
This MA English program at Arya Kanya Mahavidyalaya, affiliated with Kurukshetra University, focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of English literature, language, and critical theory. It delves into diverse literary periods, genres, and global literary traditions, including a strong emphasis on Indian English Literature and contemporary critical thought. Given India''''s growing role in global communication and the creative industries, this specialization is highly relevant for fostering nuanced linguistic and analytical skills crucial for various professions.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a Bachelor''''s degree in English or related humanities, seeking to deepen their academic knowledge and pursue research, teaching, or content creation roles. It also suits working professionals, such as educators or aspiring writers, looking to upskill their critical thinking and literary analysis capabilities. Individuals passionate about language, literature, and cultural studies, with strong reading and analytical aptitude, will thrive in this course.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as educators, content writers, editors, journalists, public relations specialists, and even civil services. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing significantly with experience and specialization. The strong foundation in research methodology and literary theory prepares students for higher education (M.Phil./Ph.D.) and enables them to contribute meaningfully to academic and media sectors.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Cultivate Strong Reading and Analytical Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with prescribed texts, actively highlighting and annotating. Form study groups to discuss complex literary theories and interpretations. Practice critical analysis by writing short essays and presenting arguments on weekly readings.
Tools & Resources
University library resources, online literary databases (JSTOR, Project MUSE), reputable literary criticism journals, peer discussion forums
Career Connection
Builds foundational critical thinking, interpretation, and analytical writing skills essential for academic research, content creation, and professional communication roles.
Master Foundational Research Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Understand the basics of academic research, including identifying credible sources, proper citation techniques (e.g., MLA style), and avoiding plagiarism. Attend university workshops on research methodology and academic writing.
Tools & Resources
KUK library research guides, citation management tools (Zotero, Mendeley), university academic writing center, online tutorials on MLA formatting
Career Connection
Essential for successful dissertation completion, future academic pursuits (M.Phil/Ph.D), and any role requiring data-backed communication or report writing.
Develop Effective Communication and Presentation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in classroom discussions, volunteer for presentations, and seek feedback on public speaking. Join debate clubs or literary societies within the college to hone articulation and persuasive communication.
Tools & Resources
College literary club, public speaking workshops, TED Talks for inspiration, peer feedback sessions
Career Connection
Crucial for teaching, journalism, public relations, corporate communication, and any client-facing role, enhancing employability in competitive Indian job markets.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize through Elective Choices- (Semester 3)
Carefully choose Discipline Specific Electives (DSEs) like ''''Literature and Gender'''' or ''''Film and Literature'''' based on your career interests. Actively pursue additional readings and projects related to your chosen DSE to build expertise.
Tools & Resources
DSE course descriptions, faculty advisors, online academic resources related to the specific elective
Career Connection
Allows students to develop a niche, making them more attractive for specialized roles in media, academia, or research focused on specific literary/cultural areas.
Engage with ELT Practices and Research- (Semester 3)
For the English Language Teaching (ELT) paper, seek opportunities for micro-teaching, peer teaching, or volunteering at local language institutes. Understand curriculum design and assessment methods for language learners.
Tools & Resources
ELT textbooks, online teaching resources, local schools/institutes for observation or volunteering, KUK''''s ELT department if possible
Career Connection
Directly prepares students for teaching positions in schools, colleges, and private language training centers, a significant employment sector for English postgraduates in India.
Explore Cross-Cultural and Global Literary Contexts- (Semester 3)
Deepen understanding of Commonwealth and European literatures by reading authors beyond the syllabus and engaging in comparative studies. Participate in cultural exchange programs or online webinars focused on global literatures.
Tools & Resources
Online databases for global literature, university''''s international relations office for related events, cultural organizations
Career Connection
Enhances cultural sensitivity and broadens perspectives, valuable for roles in international relations, journalism, content localization, and global education.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Robust Dissertation/Project Work- (Semester 4)
Choose a research topic early, conduct thorough literature reviews, and work closely with your supervisor. Aim for original insights and strong analytical arguments. Present your findings confidently.
Tools & Resources
KUK Research & Development cell guidelines, research supervisors, statistical software (if applicable), academic writing software
Career Connection
Demonstrates advanced research, analytical, and writing capabilities, crucial for academic careers, research organizations, think tanks, and high-level content development roles.
Master Advanced Literary Theory and its Application- (Semester 4)
Develop a nuanced understanding of post-structuralism, cultural studies, and other contemporary theories. Practice applying these theories to diverse literary texts, including those from World Literatures in Translation.
Tools & Resources
Advanced literary theory texts, academic journals, online seminars by literary theorists
Career Connection
Equips students with high-level analytical frameworks demanded in academic research, critical content analysis, and cultural commentary roles.
Prepare for Career Transition and Placements- (Semester 4)
Attend campus placement drives, workshop resume and interview skills. Network with alumni and professionals in target industries (education, publishing, media). Explore options for competitive exams (UGC-NET, Civil Services).
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, career counseling services, alumni network, online job portals (Naukri.com, LinkedIn), government job notification websites
Career Connection
Maximizes chances of securing desirable employment post-MA, whether in academia, corporate, or public sector, ensuring a smooth transition into professional life.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. (Hons.) or B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. (Pass) with English as an elective subject with 45% marks in aggregate, or any other examination recognized by Kurukshetra University as equivalent thereto. For SC/ST candidates: 40% marks in aggregate. Candidates with B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. (Pass) with English as an elective subject may need to pass an Entrance Examination conducted by the University.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME-101 | History of English Literature (From Chaucer to Shakespeare) | Core | 4 | Old English Period, Middle English Period, Elizabethan Age, Jacobean Period, Poetry, Prose & Drama of the periods |
| ME-102 | Literary Criticism (Classical to Romantic) | Core | 4 | Plato, Aristotle, Horace, Longinus, Sidney, Dryden, Dr. Johnson, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Keats |
| ME-103 | Indian English Literature | Core | 4 | Early Indian English Poetry, Indian English Novel, Indian English Drama, Indian English Short Story, Indian English Prose |
| ME-104 | Linguistics and Stylistics | Core | 4 | Introduction to Linguistics, Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Stylistics |
| OE-XXX | Open Elective (from other departments) | Elective (Choice Based) | 4 |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME-201 | History of English Literature (From Milton to Post-modernism) | Core | 4 | Puritan Age, Restoration Age, Augustan Age, Romantic Age, Victorian Age, Modern Age, Post-modernism |
| ME-202 | Literary Criticism (Victorian to Modern) | Core | 4 | Matthew Arnold, A.C. Bradley, T.S. Eliot, I.A. Richards, F.R. Leavis, New Criticism, Feminist Criticism, Post-structuralism |
| ME-203 | American Literature | Core | 4 | Early American Poetry, American Romanticism, American Realism, Modern American Drama, American Fiction |
| ME-204 | Research Methodology | Core | 4 | Introduction to Research, Types of Research, Research Design, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Report Writing, Referencing |
| OE-XXX | Open Elective (from other departments) | Elective (Choice Based) | 4 |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME-301 | English Language Teaching (ELT) | Core | 4 | Language Teaching Methods, Second Language Acquisition, Teaching Speaking, Reading, Writing, Teaching Grammar, Syllabus Design |
| ME-302 | Commonwealth Literature | Core | 4 | Post-colonial Literature, African Literature, Canadian Literature, Australian Literature, Caribbean Literature |
| ME-303 | European Literature | Core | 4 | Greek Drama, Medieval European Literature, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism, Modernism, Existentialism |
| ME-304(i) | Literature and Gender | Discipline Specific Elective (Choice Based) | 4 | Feminist Theory, Gender Studies, Representation of Women, Patriarchy, Queer Theory, Feminism in Literature |
| ME-304(ii) | Film and Literature | Discipline Specific Elective (Choice Based) | 4 | Adaptation, Narratology, Film Theory, Screenwriting, Literary Devices in Film, Indian Cinema |
| ME-304(iii) | Postcolonial Studies | Discipline Specific Elective (Choice Based) | 4 | Colonialism, Postcolonial Theory, Subaltern Studies, Hybridity, Diaspora, Identity |
| MOOC/OE-XXX | MOOC/Open Elective (Choice Based) | Elective (Choice Based) | 4 |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME-401 | World Literatures in Translation | Core | 4 | Concepts of Translation, World Literature, African Literature in Translation, Latin American Literature, East Asian Literature, European Classics |
| ME-402 | Literary Theory | Core | 4 | Structuralism, Post-structuralism, Deconstruction, Psychoanalytic Criticism, Marxist Criticism, Cultural Studies, New Historicism |
| ME-403(i) | Literary Forms and Genres | Discipline Specific Elective (Choice Based) | 4 | Poetry, Drama, Fiction, Short Story, Essay, Biography, Autobiography |
| ME-403(ii) | English for Specific Purposes (ESP) | Discipline Specific Elective (Choice Based) | 4 | Business English, Academic English, English for Science & Technology, Technical Writing, Communication Skills |
| ME-403(iii) | Digital Humanities | Discipline Specific Elective (Choice Based) | 4 | Digital Texts, Text Encoding, Data Visualization, Digital Archiving, Literary Computing, Social Media & Literature |
| ME-404 | Project Work / Dissertation | Project | 4 | Research Topic Selection, Literature Review, Methodology, Data Analysis, Dissertation Writing, Presentation |
| OE-XXX | Open Elective (from other departments) | Elective (Choice Based) | 4 |
