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B-A-HONOURS in English at Calcutta Girls' College
Kolkata, West Bengal
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About the Specialization
What is English at Calcutta Girls' College Kolkata?
This B.A. (Honours) English program at Calcutta Girls'''' College focuses on developing a deep understanding of literary traditions across various eras and cultures. It encompasses classical, British, Indian, American, and postcolonial literatures, integrating critical theories and communication skills. The curriculum is designed to foster analytical thinking and cultural appreciation, preparing students for diverse roles in the evolving Indian media and education sectors.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for young women who possess a keen interest in literature, language, and critical inquiry. It appeals to fresh graduates seeking entry into academia, journalism, content creation, or civil services. Individuals passionate about storytelling, cultural studies, and effective communication will find this specialization particularly rewarding, building a strong foundation for future intellectual pursuits.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue enriching career paths in India such as journalism, publishing, teaching, content writing, public relations, and academic research. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 Lakhs to 4 Lakhs annually, with significant growth potential for experienced professionals. The strong analytical and communication skills acquired are highly valued in various Indian industries, including IT and marketing.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Literary Foundations- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with prescribed texts, actively participating in classroom discussions. Maintain a reading journal to document insights, themes, and literary techniques, and seek clarifications from faculty regularly. This forms the bedrock for advanced literary analysis.
Tools & Resources
Reading journals, College Library, Departmental study groups
Career Connection
A strong foundation in literary knowledge is crucial for academic success and provides the depth required for careers in teaching, research, and content development.
Enhance Academic Writing & Communication- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on improving essay writing, critical analysis, and verbal communication skills through consistent practice. Utilize college''''s language labs and participate in debate clubs or literary societies to hone articulation and persuasive writing.
Tools & Resources
Grammarly (premium for students), Debate clubs, Public speaking workshops
Career Connection
Superior communication and writing skills are indispensable for any professional role, particularly in media, journalism, content creation, and civil services, directly impacting placement prospects.
Explore Interdisciplinary Connections- (Semester 1-2)
Actively choose Generic Elective (GE) papers from diverse fields like History, Political Science, or Philosophy. Understand how these disciplines intersect with literature, broadening your perspective and analytical toolkit.
Tools & Resources
Calcutta University course catalogs, Academic advisors
Career Connection
An interdisciplinary approach enhances critical thinking and problem-solving, making graduates adaptable to a wider range of roles beyond core English specializations.
Intermediate Stage
Deepen Critical Literary Theories- (Semester 3-5)
Beyond understanding texts, delve into literary theories (e.g., feminism, postcolonialism, structuralism). Apply these theoretical frameworks to analyze literature, fostering advanced critical thinking and research capabilities.
Tools & Resources
Internet Archive, JSTOR (through institutional access), Theory reader anthologies
Career Connection
Mastery of literary theory is essential for postgraduate studies, research positions, and specialized roles in academic publishing or cultural criticism.
Engage in Creative Writing & Research- (Semester 3-5)
Participate in departmental creative writing workshops or contribute to the college''''s literary magazine. Initiate small research projects, even if informal, on topics of personal interest to develop independent inquiry skills.
Tools & Resources
Departmental literary society, College magazine, Online writing platforms
Career Connection
Hands-on experience in creative writing is invaluable for careers in journalism, advertising, content marketing, and professional writing. Research skills are vital for academia and policy analysis.
Seek Internships and Mentorship- (Semester 3-5)
Actively look for short-term internships during breaks in areas like publishing, content development, or NGOs. Connect with alumni or faculty mentors who can guide career paths and provide real-world insights into the industry.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, LinkedIn, Alumni network events
Career Connection
Internships provide practical experience and networking opportunities, significantly boosting employability and offering a clear advantage during placement drives.
Advanced Stage
Specialized Skill Development- (Semester 6)
Choose Discipline Specific Electives (DSEs) strategically to align with career aspirations (e.g., Film Studies for media, Translation Studies for language services). Consider pursuing online certifications to complement your academic learning.
Tools & Resources
Coursera/edX for specialized courses, NPTEL lectures
Career Connection
Specialized skills differentiate you in a competitive job market, opening doors to niche roles in media, communication, and inter-cultural services.
Placement Preparation and Networking- (Semester 6)
Attend resume building workshops, mock interviews, and career counseling sessions offered by the college. Network with professionals through industry events, seminars, and online platforms to explore job opportunities and gain insights.
Tools & Resources
College career services, Professional networking events, LinkedIn
Career Connection
Proactive placement preparation directly translates into securing desirable job offers and establishing a strong professional network for future career growth.
Consider Higher Education / Civil Services- (Semester 6 onwards)
If aspiring for academia or civil services, begin preparing for entrance examinations (e.g., NET, SET, UPSC, WBCS) early. Engage in extensive reading beyond the syllabus and participate in relevant study groups for focused preparation.
Tools & Resources
Coaching institutes (if required), Previous year question papers, Online study groups
Career Connection
Early preparation for competitive exams provides a significant edge for entry into prestigious postgraduate programs or highly sought-after government positions, ensuring a robust career trajectory.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Passed 10+2 Examination or its equivalent from a recognized board/council. Minimum 50% marks in aggregate and 45% marks in the subject concerned (English), or 55% marks in the subject concerned, or 50% marks in aggregate if the subject was not studied at the 10+2 level, provided other eligibility criteria are met. (As per Calcutta Girls'''' College Admission Guidelines)
Duration: 3 years / 6 semesters
Credits: 140 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-1-1 | Indian Classical Literature | Core | 6 | Kalidasa’s Abhijnanashakuntalam, Sudraka’s Mrcchakatika, Vyasa’s Mahabharata (excerpts), Bharata’s Natyashastra |
| ENGA-CC-1-2 | European Classical Literature | Core | 6 | Homer’s The Iliad, Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, Horace’s Satires (selections), Aristotle’s Poetics |
| AECC-1 | English Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Theory of Communication, Reading Comprehension, Writing Skills, Grammar and Vocabulary, Oral Communication |
| GE-1 | Generic Elective - I | Generic Elective | 6 | Selected from other disciplines offered by the college |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-2-3 | Indian Writing in English | Core | 6 | R.K. Narayan’s The Guide, Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali (selections), Mahesh Dattani’s Tara, Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable |
| ENGA-CC-2-4 | British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries | Core | 6 | Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath’s Prologue, William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, John Donne’s selected poems |
| AECC-2 | Environmental Studies | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Natural Resources and Conservation, Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution, Social Issues and the Environment, Human Population and Environment |
| GE-2 | Generic Elective - II | Generic Elective | 6 | Selected from other disciplines offered by the college |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-3-5 | British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th Centuries | Core | 6 | William Wycherley’s The Country Wife, Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock, John Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel (selections), William Congreve’s The Way of the World |
| ENGA-CC-3-6 | British Novel: 18th Century | Core | 6 | Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, Henry Fielding’s Joseph Andrews, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Laurence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy (selections) |
| ENGA-CC-3-7 | British Romantic Literature | Core | 6 | William Wordsworth’s selected poems, S.T. Coleridge’s selected poems, P.B. Shelley’s selected poems, John Keats’s selected poems, William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience |
| SEC-A-1 | Academic Writing and Composition | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Academic Conventions, Essay Structure and Argumentation, Research and Documentation, Referencing Styles, Analytical and Critical Writing |
| GE-3 | Generic Elective - III | Generic Elective | 6 | Selected from other disciplines offered by the college |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-4-8 | British Literature: 19th Century | Core | 6 | Alfred Tennyson’s selected poems, Robert Browning’s selected poems, Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, George Eliot’s The Mill on the Floss |
| ENGA-CC-4-9 | Women’s Writing | Core | 6 | Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (selections), Kamala Das’s selected poems, Sylvia Plath’s selected poems |
| ENGA-CC-4-10 | Modern European Drama | Core | 6 | Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children (selections) |
| SEC-B-2 | Creative Writing | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Understanding Poetics and Aesthetics, Writing Short Stories, Elements of Playwriting, Screenplay Fundamentals, Journaling and Personal Narratives |
| GE-4 | Generic Elective - IV | Generic Elective | 6 | Selected from other disciplines offered by the college |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-5-11 | Postcolonial Literatures | Core | 6 | Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s The River Between, Derek Walcott’s selected poems, A.K. Ramanujan’s selected poems |
| ENGA-CC-5-12 | American Literature | Core | 6 | Walt Whitman’s selected poems, Emily Dickinson’s selected poems, William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury (selections), Toni Morrison’s Beloved (selections) |
| ENGA-DSE-A-1 | Literary Theory and Criticism | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Plato, Aristotle and Classical Poetics, Formalism and Structuralism, Psychoanalysis and Literature, Feminist Literary Theory, Postcolonial Theory |
| ENGA-DSE-B-2 | Partition Literature | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Historical Context of Partition, Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan, Saadat Hasan Manto’s Toba Tek Singh, Urvashi Butalia’s The Other Side of Silence, Poetry of Partition |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-6-13 | Popular Literature | Core | 6 | Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (selections), Graphic Novels and Comics |
| ENGA-CC-6-14 | Modern Indian Literature in Translation | Core | 6 | Premchand’s Godaan (selections), Mahasweta Devi’s Draupadi, Mohan Rakesh’s Halfway House, U.R. Ananthamurthy’s Samskara (selections) |
| ENGA-DSE-A-3 | Film Studies | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Introduction to Film Theory, Narrative and Spectatorship, Genre Studies in Cinema, Indian Cinema and its Aesthetics, Film Adaptation of Literature |
| ENGA-DSE-B-4 | Translation Studies | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Theories of Translation, Types of Translation: Literary, Technical, Issues of Equivalence and Fidelity, Cultural Transference and Adaptation, Role of Translator and Ethics |
