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M-A in English at Girls Degree College, Bilgram
Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is English at Girls Degree College, Bilgram Hardoi?
This M.A. English program at Girls Degree College, Hardoi, affiliated with CSJM University, focuses on developing advanced critical understanding of English literature, language, and literary theories. It covers a vast canvas from classical to contemporary works, encompassing Indian, American, and European literary traditions, alongside crucial aspects of literary criticism and research methodology. The program aims to cultivate analytical thinking, effective communication, and a global perspective, essential skills highly valued across diverse sectors in India.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for Bachelor of Arts graduates with a strong foundation in English literature, aspiring educators, researchers, content writers, journalists, and professionals seeking to enhance their analytical and communication skills. It caters to individuals passionate about literary studies and cultural analysis, those preparing for NET/SET examinations, and civil services aspirants who require a deep understanding of humanities and social sciences.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as college lecturers (after NET/SET), school teachers, content developers, editors, technical writers, journalists, and researchers. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 to 4 LPA, while experienced professionals can earn INR 6 to 10+ LPA, especially in higher education, publishing, or media. The program also provides a strong foundation for pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees, furthering academic careers.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Cultivate Deep Reading and Critical Analysis- (undefined)
Engage thoroughly with primary texts beyond syllabus requirements. Actively participate in classroom discussions, challenging interpretations and forming original arguments. Utilize online resources like literary databases (e.g., JSTOR, Project MUSE through university library access) to explore secondary criticism. This builds a strong analytical base crucial for all future academic and professional endeavors.
Tools & Resources
University Library Resources, JSTOR, Project MUSE, Peer study groups
Career Connection
Develops critical thinking and analytical skills, essential for research, content development, and competitive examinations like NET/SET or Civil Services.
Master Academic Writing Foundations- (undefined)
Focus on developing clear, concise, and well-structured academic essays. Learn and consistently apply a recognized citation style (e.g., MLA 9th Edition). Seek feedback from faculty on assignments and utilize grammar and plagiarism checking tools. Attend university-organized writing workshops to refine thesis statements and argumentation.
Tools & Resources
MLA Handbook, Grammarly, Turnitin, University Writing Center
Career Connection
Strong academic writing is fundamental for research papers, dissertations, publishing in journals, and any content-creation role in industry.
Enhance Language and Communication Skills- (undefined)
Actively work on improving both written and spoken English proficiency. Participate in departmental debates, seminars, and presentations. Practice public speaking and articulate complex ideas clearly. Engage in discussions with peers and faculty to refine vocabulary and expression, which is vital for teaching and media roles.
Tools & Resources
Toastmasters International (if available nearby), Online English newspapers and magazines, Peer group discussions
Career Connection
Improves employability in teaching, journalism, public relations, and corporate communication roles requiring excellent verbal and written skills.
Intermediate Stage
Actively Engage in Research Projects and Electives- (undefined)
Beyond coursework, identify areas of interest and initiate small-scale research projects, possibly under faculty mentorship. Choose elective papers strategically to deepen knowledge in a specific area (e.g., Postcolonial Literature, Women''''s Writing, Translation Studies). This specialization helps in identifying future research or career niches.
Tools & Resources
Departmental research forums, Faculty mentorship, Online academic journals
Career Connection
Prepares students for higher research degrees (M.Phil., Ph.D.), and specialized roles in publishing, content curation, or policy analysis.
Develop Seminar and Conference Presentation Skills- (undefined)
Actively volunteer to present papers in departmental seminars and college-level conferences. Prepare well-structured presentations using visual aids. Engage confidently in Q&A sessions. Attend regional or national student literary conferences to broaden exposure and network with other scholars.
Tools & Resources
PowerPoint/Google Slides, Open-access conference proceedings, Public speaking guides
Career Connection
Crucial for academic careers (lecturer, researcher), as well as roles requiring strong presentation and persuasive communication skills.
Explore Interdisciplinary Literary Connections- (undefined)
Look beyond strict literary boundaries and explore how English literature interacts with other disciplines like history, sociology, psychology, and philosophy. This broadens critical perspectives and analytical frameworks, enriching research and understanding of texts in a wider cultural context. Attend workshops on cultural studies or digital humanities.
Tools & Resources
Cross-disciplinary journals, University lecture series (if available), MOOCs on related subjects
Career Connection
Fosters a holistic understanding, valuable for interdisciplinary research, journalism, and roles in think tanks or policy analysis where diverse perspectives are valued.
Advanced Stage
Excel in Dissertation/Major Project Work- (undefined)
View the major project or dissertation as the capstone of your MA. Start early, choose a compelling research question, conduct exhaustive literature review, and meticulously execute the research methodology. Maintain regular communication with your supervisor and be open to critical feedback for revisions and refinements.
Tools & Resources
Dissertation writing guides, Citation management software (Zotero, Mendeley), Supervisor guidance
Career Connection
Showcases independent research capability, a key requirement for academic positions, advanced degrees, and research-intensive industry roles.
Strategize for Career Development and Networking- (undefined)
Actively prepare for post-MA career paths. Attend campus placement drives (if any), create a professional CV, and practice interview skills. Network with alumni, faculty, and professionals in fields of interest (education, media, publishing). Consider internships to gain practical industry exposure before graduation.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Alumni network, Career counseling services, Internship portals
Career Connection
Directly facilitates securing employment, whether in academia, content industries, or government sectors, leveraging professional connections.
Develop Teaching and Mentorship Skills- (undefined)
If interested in academia, seek opportunities to assist professors with undergraduate classes, participate in teaching assistant roles, or mentor junior students. Practice explaining complex literary concepts clearly and engagingly. This experience is invaluable for those aspiring to become lecturers or educators.
Tools & Resources
Peer teaching programs, Teaching methodology workshops, Educational theory resources
Career Connection
Builds pedagogical skills and classroom management experience, directly enhancing prospects for teaching positions in colleges and universities.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A. with English as a subject or an equivalent degree from a recognized university.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELT 101 | English Literary Criticism and Theory I | Core | 4 | Classical Criticism (Aristotle, Longinus), Sir Philip Sidney''''s Defence of Poesie, Dr. Samuel Johnson''''s Preface to Shakespeare, Wordsworth and Coleridge on Poetry, Matthew Arnold and ''''The Function of Criticism'''' |
| ELT 102 | Indian English Literature | Core | 4 | Origin and Development of Indian English Fiction, Prominent Indian English Poets (Nissim Ezekiel, Kamala Das), Major Indian English Novelists (R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand), Indian English Drama and its themes, Post-Independence Indian English Writing |
| ELT 103 | Early English Literature (Chaucer to Renaissance) | Core | 4 | Geoffrey Chaucer and Medieval English Poetry, Renaissance Poetry (Spenser, Sidney), Elizabethan Drama (Marlowe, Shakespeare), Metaphysical Poets (Donne, Herbert), Prose of the Renaissance (Francis Bacon) |
| ELT 104 | History of English Language and Phonetics | Core | 4 | Old English Period and its characteristics, Middle English and Chaucer''''s language, Modern English: Changes and Developments, Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology, Articulation of Vowels and Consonants, IPA |
| ELO 105 A | Communication Skills | Elective | 4 | Fundamentals of Communication, Verbal and Non-verbal Communication, Barriers to Effective Communication, Presentation Skills and Public Speaking, Report Writing and Business Correspondence |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELT 201 | English Literary Criticism and Theory II | Core | 4 | Modern Criticism (T.S. Eliot, I.A. Richards), New Criticism and its tenets, Structuralism and Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction and Reader-Response Theory, Cultural Materialism and Postcolonial Criticism |
| ELT 202 | American Literature | Core | 4 | Transcendentalism (Emerson, Whitman), 19th Century American Poetry (Emily Dickinson), Realism and Naturalism in American Fiction (Mark Twain), Modern American Novel (Hemingway, Faulkner), Post-War American Literature and Drama |
| ELT 203 | European Classical Literature in Translation | Core | 4 | Greek Epic: Homer''''s Odyssey/Iliad, Greek Tragedy: Sophocles'''' Oedipus Rex, Roman Epic: Virgil''''s Aeneid, Medieval Italian: Dante''''s Inferno, German Classical: Goethe''''s Faust |
| ELT 204 | Nineteenth Century English Literature | Core | 4 | Romantic Poetry (Keats, Shelley, Byron), Victorian Poetry (Tennyson, Browning), Victorian Novel (Dickens, Eliot, Austen), Victorian Prose (Carlyle, Ruskin), Emergence of Realism and Naturalism |
| ELO 205 A | Stylistics and Discourse Analysis | Elective | 4 | Introduction to Stylistics and its Scope, Linguistic Levels of Analysis (Phonological, Lexical, Syntactic), Discourse Analysis: Cohesion and Coherence, Pragmatics and Speech Act Theory, Applications of Stylistics in Literary Texts |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELT 301 | Research Methodology and Academic Writing | Core | 4 | Introduction to Research in Humanities, Research Design and Methods of Data Collection, Literature Review and Hypothesis Formulation, Academic Writing: Structure, Style, Referencing (MLA), Plagiarism, Ethics in Research, Dissertation Planning |
| ELT 302 | Twentieth Century and Contemporary English Literature I | Core | 4 | Modernist Poetry (Yeats, Pound, Eliot), Modernist Novel (Joyce, Woolf, Lawrence), Modern Drama (Shaw, Beckett), Post-War English Literature, Introduction to Postmodernism |
| ELT 303 | New Literatures in English | Core | 4 | Postcolonial Theory and its implications, African Literature (Achebe, Soyinka), Caribbean Literature (Walcott, Brathwaite), Australian and Canadian Literature (Atwood, Munro), Diasporic and South Asian Literatures |
| ELO 304 A | Women''''s Writing | Elective | 4 | Feminist Literary Theory and its waves, Representation of Women in Literature, Key Women Writers (Virginia Woolf, Alice Walker), Indian Women''''s Writing (Kamala Das, Ismat Chughtai), Themes of Gender, Patriarchy, and Identity |
| ELP 305 | Project/Dissertation/Term Paper (Minor) | Project | 4 | Topic Selection and Research Question Formulation, Preliminary Literature Review, Developing a Research Outline, Data Collection and Initial Analysis, Drafting a Short Academic Paper/Report |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELT 401 | Twentieth Century and Contemporary English Literature II | Core | 4 | Postmodern Fiction and its characteristics, Theatre of the Absurd and its exponents, Contemporary Poetry and its trends, Science Fiction and Fantasy in literature, Digital Literature and Hypertext Fiction |
| ELT 402 | Literary Theory and Critical Approaches | Core | 4 | Postcolonialism and Subaltern Studies, Ecocriticism and Environmental Humanities, New Historicism and Cultural Studies, Queer Theory and Gender Studies, Digital Humanities and its methodologies |
| ELO 403 A | Translation Studies | Elective | 4 | Theories of Translation: Equivalence, Skopos, Types of Translation: Literary, Technical, Cultural, Challenges in Translation: Loss and Gain, Cultural Context and Translator''''s Role, Machine Translation and its future |
| ELP 404 | Project/Dissertation/Term Paper (Major) | Project | 8 | Advanced Research Proposal Development, Extensive Literature Review and Critical Engagement, Methodological Framework and Data Analysis, Writing a Comprehensive Dissertation/Thesis, Presentation and Viva-Voce Examination |
