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MA in English at Baba Ramdal Surajdev Smarak Mahavidyalaya
Ballia, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is English at Baba Ramdal Surajdev Smarak Mahavidyalaya Ballia?
This MA English program at Baba Ramdal Surajdev Smarak Mahavidyalaya focuses on a comprehensive study of literature in English, spanning various historical periods, genres, and critical theories. It emphasizes both classical and contemporary texts, including Indian, American, and Commonwealth literature, making it highly relevant for understanding diverse cultural narratives and the evolving literary landscape in India. The program equips students with advanced analytical and interpretive skills.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a Bachelor''''s degree in English or a related humanities field, seeking to deepen their academic and research capabilities in literature. It also caters to aspiring educators, content writers, and professionals in publishing or media who wish to enhance their critical thinking, writing, and analytical prowess for diverse career opportunities within India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including teaching at colleges/universities, content creation, journalism, publishing, and civil services. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 lakhs per annum, with experienced professionals earning INR 6-12 lakhs or more. The strong emphasis on research methodology and critical theory provides a solid foundation for pursuing M.Phil/Ph.D. or competitive examinations.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Literary Foundation- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with core literary texts from Old English to Victorian periods. Utilize online archives like Project Gutenberg and JSTOR (if accessible via university library) to access primary and secondary sources. Form study groups to discuss complex themes and historical contexts, enhancing your understanding of diverse literary movements.
Tools & Resources
Project Gutenberg, JSTOR (institutional access), Cambridge/Oxford Companions to Literature, Peer Study Groups
Career Connection
A robust understanding of literary history and canonical texts is fundamental for academic careers (teaching, research) and provides a strong cultural knowledge base for content writing and journalism.
Master Academic Writing and Critical Analysis- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on developing precise and articulate academic writing skills. Practice essay writing, critical summaries, and literary analysis consistently. Seek feedback from professors and peers, and actively work on incorporating constructive criticism to refine your arguments and expression.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab), Grammarly Premium (if budget allows), University Writing Center (if available), Professor Consultations
Career Connection
Excellent writing and critical thinking are indispensable for publishing, content creation, research, and any role requiring articulate communication and analytical problem-solving.
Explore Indian and Global Literary Contexts- (Semester 1-2)
Go beyond the prescribed syllabus by actively reading contemporary Indian English authors, regional literature in translation, and diverse voices from Commonwealth and American literature. Participate in college literary clubs or online forums to broaden your perspectives and engage in cross-cultural literary discussions.
Tools & Resources
Local libraries, Sahitya Akademi publications, Online literary magazines, College Literary Societies
Career Connection
A wide reading spectrum and understanding of global literary trends enhance cultural literacy, essential for roles in international publishing, cultural diplomacy, and diverse media organizations.
Intermediate Stage
Dive into Research Methodology and Theory- (Semester 3)
Proactively engage with the Research Methodology and Literary Criticism courses. Start identifying potential areas of interest for your dissertation early. Familiarize yourself with different research paradigms and theoretical frameworks to build a strong foundation for independent scholarly work.
Tools & Resources
M.A. English Research Methodology textbooks, Academic databases (e.g., MLA International Bibliography, Google Scholar), Departmental research seminars
Career Connection
Strong research skills are crucial for higher studies (M.Phil/Ph.D.), academic roles, and any profession requiring rigorous data analysis and evidence-based reporting.
Strategic Selection of Optional Papers- (Semester 3)
Carefully choose your optional papers based on your career aspirations and research interests. If considering academia, opt for advanced theory or specific literary periods. For content or media roles, look for subjects related to contemporary literature, cultural studies, or specialized writing. Attend introductory sessions for optional subjects to make informed choices.
Tools & Resources
Departmental advisors, Alumni network insights, Career counseling services
Career Connection
Strategic elective choices can directly align your academic profile with specific job market demands, opening doors to specialized roles in research, education, or industry.
Participate in Academic Conferences and Workshops- (Semester 3)
Look for local, regional, or national academic conferences and workshops in literary studies. Present a paper (even a short one) or simply attend to network with scholars and get exposed to current research trends. This builds confidence and provides valuable experience for your CV.
Tools & Resources
University notice boards, Academic conference listing websites, Faculty recommendations
Career Connection
Conference participation demonstrates academic engagement, improves public speaking skills, and helps in building a professional network, which is vital for academic and research careers.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Robust Dissertation/Project- (Semester 4)
Devote significant effort to your Project/Dissertation in the final semester. Choose a topic that excites you and aligns with your long-term goals. Maintain regular communication with your supervisor, meticulously follow research ethics, and aim for a high-quality written output that showcases your advanced analytical abilities.
Tools & Resources
Supervisor guidance, University library resources, Plagiarism checker software, Referencing tools (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley)
Career Connection
A well-executed dissertation is a strong portfolio piece for higher education applications, and demonstrates independent research capability valued in think tanks, research institutions, and advanced content development roles.
Prepare for NET/JRF and Other Competitive Exams- (Semester 4)
If aspiring for college teaching or research in India, begin intensive preparation for the UGC-NET/JRF examination during your final year. Form study groups, solve previous year''''s papers, and consider joining coaching classes. Similarly, prepare for Civil Services or other government job exams if that is your career path.
Tools & Resources
UGC-NET/JRF study materials, Previous year question papers, Online coaching platforms, Competitive exam guides
Career Connection
Success in NET/JRF is a prerequisite for most university-level teaching positions in India and opens avenues for government-funded research fellowships, providing a clear academic career trajectory.
Network and Explore Career Opportunities- (Semester 4)
Actively network with alumni, faculty, and professionals in fields related to English literature (e.g., publishing, media, education). Attend career fairs, workshops on interview skills, and update your LinkedIn profile. Seek internships in publishing houses, content agencies, or educational institutions to gain practical experience before graduation.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, College alumni association, Career services cell, Industry networking events
Career Connection
Proactive networking and internships can directly lead to job offers, provide insights into industry expectations, and help in making a smooth transition from academia to a professional career.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- No eligibility criteria specified
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Credits: 64 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG101 | Old and Middle English Literature | Core | 4 | Old English Poetry (Beowulf), Middle English Poetry (Chaucer), Early English Prose (Wycliffe), Medieval Drama (Morality Plays), Langland''''s Piers Plowman |
| ENG102 | Elizabethan and Jacobean Literature | Core | 4 | Renaissance Poetry (Spenser, Sidney), Shakespearean Drama (Hamlet, Macbeth), Marlowe''''s Plays (Doctor Faustus), Jacobean Drama (Webster, Jonson), Elizabethan Prose (Bacon) |
| ENG103 | Augustan and Romantic Literature | Core | 4 | Restoration & Augustan Poetry (Dryden, Pope), 18th Century Novel (Swift, Defoe), Romantic Poetry (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Shelley, Byron), Romantic Prose (Lamb, Hazlitt), Jane Austen''''s Novels |
| ENG104 | Indian English Literature | Core | 4 | Early Indian English Poets (Derozio, Toru Dutt), Major Indian English Novelists (Mulk Raj Anand, R.K. Narayan, Raja Rao), Modern Indian English Poetry (Nissim Ezekiel, Kamala Das), Post-Independence Indian English Drama, Emerging trends in Indian English Writing |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG201 | Victorian and Modern British Literature | Core | 4 | Victorian Poetry (Tennyson, Browning, Arnold), Victorian Novel (Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy), Modernist Poetry (T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats), Modern British Drama (George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett), Virginia Woolf''''s Novels |
| ENG202 | Literary Criticism I | Core | 4 | Classical Criticism (Plato, Aristotle), Renaissance Criticism (Philip Sidney, Ben Jonson), Neoclassical Criticism (Samuel Johnson, Alexander Pope), Romantic Criticism (Wordsworth, Coleridge), New Criticism (I.A. Richards, T.S. Eliot) |
| ENG203 | American Literature | Core | 4 | Early American Poetry (Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson), Major American Novelists (Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway), Modern American Drama (Eugene O''''Neill, Arthur Miller), Transcendentalism (Emerson, Thoreau), African-American Literature (Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison) |
| ENG204 | Commonwealth Literature | Core | 4 | Introduction to Post-colonial Theory, African Writers (Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka), Caribbean Writers (Derek Walcott, V.S. Naipaul), Australian Writers (Patrick White, Les Murray), Canadian Writers (Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro) |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG301 | Research Methodology | Core | 4 | Introduction to Research in Humanities, Types of Research (Descriptive, Analytical, Applied), Research Design and Hypothesis Formulation, Data Collection Methods (Primary & Secondary), Academic Writing, Plagiarism, Bibliography & Citation Styles |
| ENG302 | Literary Criticism II | Core | 4 | Structuralism and Post-structuralism (Saussure, Barthes, Derrida), Feminist Criticism (Woolf, Showalter, Cixous), Post-Colonial Criticism (Said, Spivak, Bhabha), Marxist Criticism (Raymond Williams, Terry Eagleton), Cultural Studies and New Historicism |
| ENG303 | Optional Paper I | Elective | 4 | Students select one paper from the following comprehensive list of options (choices for Semesters 3 and 4 combined): European Drama, African Literature, Post-Colonial Literature, Canadian Literature, Indian English Literature, Diasporic Literature, English Language Teaching, Stylistics, Women''''s Writing, Contemporary Literary Theory. |
| ENG304 | Optional Paper II | Elective | 4 | Students select one paper from the same comprehensive list of options, ensuring it is different from Optional Paper I chosen in this semester. |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG401 | Literary Theory | Core | 4 | Deconstruction and Reader-Response Theory, Psychoanalytic Criticism (Freud, Lacan), Queer Theory and Gender Studies, Eco-criticism and Environmental Humanities, Digital Humanities and Literary Studies |
| ENG402 | Optional Paper III | Elective | 4 | Students select one paper from the comprehensive list of options, ensuring it is different from Optional Papers I and II chosen in Semester 3, and from Optional Paper IV chosen in this semester. |
| ENG403 | Optional Paper IV | Elective | 4 | Students select one paper from the comprehensive list of options, ensuring it is different from Optional Papers I, II, and III chosen across the semesters. |
| ENG404 | Project/Dissertation | Project | 4 | Topic Selection and Research Proposal, Extensive Literature Review, Methodology and Data Analysis, Thesis Writing and Formatting, Oral Presentation and Defense |
