
BA in English at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar College

Unakoti, Tripura
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About the Specialization
What is English at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar College Unakoti?
This English Honours program at Ambedkar College, Unakoti, affiliated with Tripura University, offers a comprehensive study of English literature, language, and critical theory. It provides a deep dive into diverse literary traditions from classical European and Indian works to contemporary global writings. The program equips students with advanced analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills highly valued across various Indian sectors.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for students passionate about literature, language, and culture, seeking a foundational understanding of English studies. It caters to fresh graduates aspiring for careers in teaching, content creation, media, civil services, or higher education. Individuals aiming to enhance their critical analysis and communication abilities for diverse professional roles in the Indian job market will find this program beneficial.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates can pursue India-specific career paths in journalism, publishing, academia, content writing, public relations, and corporate communications. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 LPA to 4.5 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program prepares students for competitive exams, postgraduate studies (MA English), and offers growth trajectories in various Indian companies and government roles.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Cultivate Active Reading and Critical Thinking- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with prescribed literary texts by taking detailed notes, highlighting key arguments, and forming personal interpretations. Actively participate in class discussions to refine analytical skills and develop a nuanced understanding of literary concepts.
Tools & Resources
University library resources for literary texts and criticism, Online literary databases (e.g., Project Gutenberg, JSTOR-accessed via university), College literary clubs for peer discussions and debates
Career Connection
Strong critical thinking and analytical skills are fundamental for success in research, content creation, civil services, and any role requiring complex problem-solving in India.
Master Academic Writing and Research Basics- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on developing clear, concise, and well-structured academic essays and papers. Learn proper citation methods (e.g., MLA style) and fundamental research methodologies to support your arguments with credible evidence.
Tools & Resources
Academic writing guides and style manuals, University''''s plagiarism detection software, Workshops on research paper writing and citation by the college library
Career Connection
This builds foundational skills essential for professional documentation, technical writing, editing roles, and pursuing higher academic degrees like MA and PhD.
Enhance Communication and Presentation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Practice effective oral communication by volunteering for presentations, engaging in debates, and participating in group discussions. Actively listen and articulate thoughts clearly and persuasively in English.
Tools & Resources
College debate and drama societies, Public speaking workshops offered by the college, Recording and reviewing your own presentations for self-assessment
Career Connection
Excellent communication skills are paramount for roles in media, teaching, public relations, corporate communications, and any client-facing jobs across India.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Diverse Literary Genres and Theories- (Semester 3-4)
Beyond the core syllabus, read widely across different literary genres (e.g., postmodern fiction, graphic novels, travelogues) and familiarize yourself with various literary theories (e.g., feminism, postcolonialism, queer theory).
Tools & Resources
Online literary journals and critical essays, Reputable literary analysis YouTube channels, Inter-college literary quizzes and essay competitions
Career Connection
A broad understanding of literature and critical theories enriches your perspective, opening doors to specialized roles in publishing, academic research, and cultural journalism.
Engage in Skill Enhancement and Practical Application- (Semester 3-4)
Actively choose Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC) that align with your emerging career interests (e.g., Creative Writing, Academic Writing, Translation Studies). Apply theoretical knowledge to practical projects or assignments, developing a portfolio.
Tools & Resources
Platforms like Medium or Wattpad for creative writing practice, Volunteer opportunities for college newsletters, magazines, or content creation teams, Mentorship from professors for project ideas and feedback
Career Connection
Practical skills gained through SECs and projects significantly enhance employability in content development, technical writing, editing, and media production companies in India.
Build Professional Networks and Seek Internships- (Semester 3-4)
Attend literary festivals, academic seminars, and workshops in Tripura or nearby cities. Connect with alumni, professors, and industry professionals in fields like publishing, journalism, or education. Actively look for internship opportunities.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn for professional networking, College placement cell for internship leads, Local newspapers, content agencies, NGOs, or educational institutions for summer internships
Career Connection
Networking can lead to mentorship, valuable internship experiences, and crucial insights into specific career paths, aiding future placements in the Indian job market.
Advanced Stage
Deep Dive into Specialised Electives and Research- (Semester 5-6)
Select Discipline Specific Electives (DSE) that directly align with your postgraduate aspirations or specific career interests. Undertake a significant research project, dissertation, or extended essay in a chosen area of English studies.
Tools & Resources
Extensive library and online research resources, Consistent consultation with faculty mentors for guidance on thesis writing and research methodology, Access to academic databases for in-depth scholarly articles
Career Connection
Specialised knowledge and comprehensive research experience are crucial for postgraduate admissions, academic careers, and roles requiring in-depth analysis and critical inquiry.
Intensive Placement and Higher Studies Preparation- (Semester 5-6)
Actively prepare for competitive examinations such as NET/SET for academia, UPSC for civil services, or various journalism and communication entrance exams. Refine your resume/CV and practice interview skills through mock sessions.
Tools & Resources
College career counseling sessions and mock interview workshops, Online platforms and coaching institutes for competitive exam preparation (e.g., EduGorilla, Byju''''s for general studies), Alumni network for career advice and industry insights
Career Connection
Direct and focused preparation for specific career paths or higher education ensures a smoother and more successful transition post-graduation into relevant professional fields in India.
Portfolio Development and Professional Showcasing- (Semester 5-6)
Compile a professional portfolio of your best academic papers, creative writing pieces, project reports, and critical essays. Actively seek opportunities to publish in college magazines, local literary journals, or online platforms.
Tools & Resources
Create an online portfolio using platforms like WordPress or Behance (for creative content), Attend job fairs and career expos to showcase your skills and portfolio to potential employers, Professional headshots and a well-crafted LinkedIn profile
Career Connection
A strong and curated portfolio effectively demonstrates your capabilities, achievements, and professional potential to recruiters in publishing, content creation, media, and communications industries.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- 10+2 pass with a minimum of 45% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in English for Honours, or 55% in English Honours subject, or 50% in aggregate and 45% in English Honours subject.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-1 | Environmental Studies | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 4 | Introduction to Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution, Social Issues and the Environment |
| ENG-CC-1 | European Classical Literature | Core | 6 | The Epic: Homer''''s Iliad, The Tragedy: Sophocles'''' Oedipus Rex, Aristotle''''s Poetics, Plato''''s Republic (Book X), Virgil''''s Aeneid |
| ENG-CC-2 | Indian Classical Literature | Core | 6 | Vedic Period & Epics, Sanskrit Drama: Kalidasa''''s Abhijnanasakuntalam, Classical Tamil Literature, Ancient Indian Poetics, Narrative Traditions: The Mahabharata |
| GE-1 | Generic Elective - I | Generic Elective | 6 |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-2 | English Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 4 | Theory of Communication, Reading Skills, Writing Skills, Listening and Speaking Skills, Group Discussions and Presentations |
| ENG-CC-3 | European Literature (14th-17th Century) | Core | 6 | The Renaissance Background, Chaucer''''s The Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare''''s Sonnets & Drama, Cervantes'''' Don Quixote, Milton''''s Paradise Lost |
| ENG-CC-4 | Indian Literature in English | Core | 6 | Early Indian English Poetry, R.K. Narayan''''s The Guide, Mulk Raj Anand''''s Untouchable, Nissim Ezekiel''''s Poetry, Contemporary Indian English Novel |
| GE-2 | Generic Elective - II | Generic Elective | 6 |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG-CC-5 | American Literature | Core | 6 | Transcendentalism, Emily Dickinson''''s Poetry, Mark Twain''''s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Walt Whitman''''s Leaves of Grass, African-American Literature |
| ENG-CC-6 | Popular Literature | Core | 6 | Genre Fiction Introduction, Detective Fiction: Conan Doyle, Fantasy: J.R.R. Tolkien, Children''''s Literature: Lewis Carroll, Graphic Novels |
| ENG-CC-7 | British Literature (18th Century) | Core | 6 | The Age of Reason and Enlightenment, Satire: Jonathan Swift''''s Gulliver''''s Travels, Poetry: Alexander Pope, Novel: Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, Samuel Johnson''''s Literary Criticism |
| ENG-SEC-1 | Academic Writing and Composition | Skill Enhancement Course | 4 | Introduction to Academic Writing, Research Skills and Plagiarism, Structuring Arguments and Essays, Referencing and Bibliographies, Report and Abstract Writing |
| GE-3 | Generic Elective - III | Generic Elective | 6 |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG-CC-8 | British Romantic Literature | Core | 6 | Introduction to Romanticism, William Wordsworth''''s Poetry, S.T. Coleridge''''s Poetry and Criticism, John Keats'''' Odes, Percy Bysshe Shelley''''s Poetry |
| ENG-CC-9 | British Literature (19th Century) | Core | 6 | The Victorian Age Context, Charles Dickens'''' Great Expectations, George Eliot''''s Silas Marner, Alfred Tennyson''''s In Memoriam, Robert Browning''''s Dramatic Monologues |
| ENG-CC-10 | Women''''s Writing | Core | 6 | Feminist Literary Criticism, Jane Austen''''s Pride and Prejudice, Virginia Woolf''''s A Room of One''''s Own, Sylvia Plath''''s Poetry, Bharati Mukherjee''''s Jasmine |
| ENG-SEC-2 | Creative Writing | Skill Enhancement Course | 4 | Elements of Creative Writing, Writing Poetry, Crafting Short Stories, Basics of Playwriting, Journaling and Memoir Writing |
| GE-4 | Generic Elective - IV | Generic Elective | 6 |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG-CC-11 | Modern European Drama | Core | 6 | Realism and Naturalism, Henrik Ibsen''''s A Doll''''s House, Bertolt Brecht''''s Mother Courage, Samuel Beckett''''s Waiting for Godot, Theatre of the Absurd |
| ENG-CC-12 | Postcolonial Literatures | Core | 6 | Postcolonial Theory, Chinua Achebe''''s Things Fall Apart, Salman Rushdie''''s Midnight''''s Children, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong''''o''''s Decolonising the Mind, Identity and Hybridity |
| ENG-DSE-1 | Literary Criticism | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Classical Criticism: Aristotle, Plato, Romantic Criticism: Wordsworth, Coleridge, New Criticism, Structuralism, Post-structuralism and Deconstruction |
| ENG-DSE-2 | Modern Indian Writing in English Translation | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Indian Literary Traditions, Regional Literatures in Translation, Translation Theory and Practice, Mahasweta Devi''''s ''''Draupadi'''', U.R. Ananthamurthy''''s Samskara |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG-CC-13 | Literary Criticism and Theory | Core | 6 | Marxist Criticism, Feminist Criticism, Psychoanalytic Criticism, Postcolonial Theory, Eco-criticism |
| ENG-CC-14 | Contemporary Literature | Core | 6 | Postmodernism, Magic Realism: Gabriel García Márquez, Metafiction, Toni Morrison''''s Beloved, Margaret Atwood''''s The Handmaid''''s Tale |
| ENG-DSE-3 | Partition Literature | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Historical Context of Partition, Trauma and Memory, Saadat Hasan Manto''''s ''''Toba Tek Singh'''', Bhisham Sahni''''s Tamas, Amrita Pritam''''s Pinjar |
| ENG-DSE-4 | Literature and Cinema | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Adaptation Theory, Narrative Structures in Film, Auteur Theory, Analyzing Film Language, Representations in Bollywood and Hollywood |




