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BA-HONS in English at Government Girls College, Gardanibagh
Patna, Bihar
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About the Specialization
What is English at Government Girls College, Gardanibagh Patna?
This English (Hons) program at Government Girls College, Patna, affiliated with Patliputra University, focuses on a comprehensive study of literature and language, following the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). It covers Indian, British, American, and Postcolonial literatures, alongside critical theory and communication skills, preparing students for diverse intellectual and professional pathways in the dynamic Indian job market.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a keen interest in literature, critical thinking, and communication. It suits individuals aspiring for careers in teaching, journalism, content creation, civil services, or further academic pursuits. It also benefits those looking to develop strong analytical and interpretative skills valuable across various sectors.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates can explore India-specific career paths in education, media, publishing, public relations, and corporate communications. Entry-level salaries might range from INR 2.5-4 LPA, growing with experience into roles like editors, educators, or media professionals. The program fosters analytical rigor and communication prowess, highly sought after in the Indian professional landscape.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Reading & Comprehension Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate daily time to extensive reading beyond the syllabus, including Indian and international newspapers, magazines, and non-fiction. Actively summarize texts and identify main arguments.
Tools & Resources
Libraries (college/public), Online news portals (The Hindu, Indian Express), Literary magazines, Goodreads
Career Connection
Enhances general knowledge, vocabulary, and analytical skills crucial for competitive exams, journalism, content writing, and public service.
Master Foundational Literary Analysis- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in classroom discussions on prescribed texts, learning to identify literary devices, themes, and historical contexts. Practice writing short analytical essays for each text.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks, Critical commentaries, Online literary journals, Peer study groups
Career Connection
Develops critical thinking and clear articulation, essential for academic research, teaching, content development, and articulate professional communication.
Develop Effective Communication Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on the AECC papers (Environmental Studies/MIL, English Communication) seriously. Join college debate clubs, public speaking events, and informal discussion groups to improve verbal communication and presentation skills.
Tools & Resources
English communication textbooks, Online TED Talks, College cultural committees, Mock interview practice
Career Connection
Direct relevance for all career paths, especially in media, PR, marketing, teaching, and any role requiring client or public interaction.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Critical and Interdisciplinary Reading- (Semester 3-5)
Explore interdisciplinary connections between literature and other subjects (history, sociology, philosophy) by reading supplementary texts and engaging in research projects beyond core syllabus requirements. Focus on understanding the socio-political contexts of literary works.
Tools & Resources
University library, Online academic databases, Guest lectures, Inter-departmental seminars
Career Connection
Fosters a holistic perspective and research capabilities, beneficial for higher studies, academic roles, and roles in policy analysis or social research.
Cultivate Academic Writing & Research Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Leverage SEC papers like "Academic Writing and Composition" by rigorously practicing essay writing, referencing, and research methodologies. Aim to write a publishable-quality short essay or review for a college magazine or online platform.
Tools & Resources
Online writing guides (Purdue OWL), Citation managers (Mendeley, Zotero), Peer review sessions, College journal
Career Connection
Essential for postgraduate studies, research positions, content writing, editing, and professional documentation in any sector.
Seek Practical Exposure & Network Building- (Semester 3-5)
Look for part-time internships, volunteering opportunities, or projects related to writing, editing, or social media with local NGOs, small businesses, or media outlets in Patna. Attend literary festivals or workshops.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, Local job portals, LinkedIn, University alumni network
Career Connection
Builds practical experience, professional contacts, and a portfolio, significantly enhancing employability in media, publishing, or communications.
Advanced Stage
Specialize and Deepen Theoretical Understanding- (Semester 6)
Carefully choose DSE papers based on career interests (e.g., Women''''s Writing for gender studies, Postcolonial Lit for international relations) and delve deeply into their theoretical frameworks. Attend specialized workshops or online courses.
Tools & Resources
Advanced literary theory texts, Specialized online courses (Coursera, NPTEL), Faculty mentorship
Career Connection
Prepares students for focused postgraduate studies, specialized research, or niche roles in cultural organizations, think tanks, or academia.
Master Competitive Exam Preparation- (Semester 6)
For those aspiring to civil services (UPSC, BPSC), teaching (NET/SET), or journalism, dedicate significant time to rigorous preparation, including current affairs, general studies, and optional subjects (like English literature).
Tools & Resources
Coaching institutes, Online test series, Previous year question papers, Dedicated study groups
Career Connection
Directly impacts success in highly competitive government jobs and academic positions in India.
Refine Portfolio & Interview Skills- (Semester 6)
Compile a strong portfolio of academic papers, creative writing samples, or project reports. Practice mock interviews, focusing on articulating critical insights, communication skills, and career aspirations.
Tools & Resources
Career counseling centers, Online resume builders, Professional mentors, Mock interview platforms
Career Connection
Ensures industry readiness, significantly improving placement chances in diverse roles across media, content, education, and corporate sectors.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- No eligibility criteria specified
Duration: 3 years / 6 semesters
Credits: 148 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC-101 | INDIAN CLASSICAL LITERATURE | Core | 6 | Kalidasa (Abhijnanashakuntalam), Sudraka (Mricchakatika), Vyasa (Mahabharata - Selections), Ilango Adigal (Cilappatikaram), Indian Poetics |
| ENGC-102 | EUROPEAN CLASSICAL LITERATURE | Core | 6 | Homer (The Iliad), Sophocles (Oedipus Rex), Horace (Epistles Book I), Ovid (Metamorphoses), Plato (Symposium) |
| AECC-1 | Environmental Studies / MIL (Modern Indian Language) | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 4 | Ecosystems, Natural Resources, Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution, Social Issues and the Environment |
| GEN-1 | Generic Elective 1 | Generic Elective (Chosen from other disciplines like History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology) | 6 |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC-203 | INDIAN WRITING IN ENGLISH | Core | 6 | R.K. Narayan (The English Teacher), Anita Desai (Clear Light of Day), A.K. Ramanujan (Is there an Indian way of thinking?), Kamala Das (An Introduction), Salman Rushdie (Midnight''''s Children - Selections) |
| ENGC-204 | BRITISH POETRY AND DRAMA (14TH TO 17TH CENTURIES) | Core | 6 | Chaucer (The General Prologue), Shakespeare (Twelfth Night, Sonnets), Donne (The Good Morrow), Milton (Paradise Lost Book 1) |
| AECC-2 | English Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 4 | Theory of Communication, Reading Skills, Writing Skills, Speaking Skills, Group Discussions and Interviews |
| GEN-2 | Generic Elective 2 | Generic Elective (Chosen from other disciplines) | 6 |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC-305 | BRITISH POETRY AND DRAMA (18TH CENTURY) | Core | 6 | Dryden (Mac Flecknoe), Pope (The Rape of the Lock), William Congreve (The Way of the World), Thomas Gray (Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard), Oliver Goldsmith (She Stoops to Conquer) |
| ENGC-306 | BRITISH ROMANTIC LITERATURE | Core | 6 | William Blake (Songs of Innocence), William Wordsworth (Tintern Abbey), S.T. Coleridge (Kubla Khan), P.B. Shelley (Ode to the West Wind), John Keats (Ode to a Nightingale) |
| ENGC-307 | BRITISH LITERATURE (19TH CENTURY) | Core | 6 | Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice), Charles Dickens (Hard Times), George Eliot (The Mill on the Floss), Thomas Hardy (Far from the Madding Crowd) |
| SEC-1 | Skill Enhancement Course 1 (e.g., Academic Writing and Composition) | Skill Enhancement Course | 4 | Academic conventions, Referencing and Plagiarism, Research methodology, Essay and Report writing, Critical reading |
| GEN-3 | Generic Elective 3 | Generic Elective (Chosen from other disciplines) | 6 |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC-408 | BRITISH LITERATURE (20TH CENTURY) | Core | 6 | T.S. Eliot (The Waste Land), W.B. Yeats (The Second Coming), Virginia Woolf (Mrs Dalloway), George Bernard Shaw (Pygmalion), Samuel Beckett (Waiting for Godot) |
| ENGC-409 | LITERARY CRITICISM | Core | 6 | Plato (Poetics), Aristotle (Poetics), Philip Sidney (An Apology for Poetry), Dr. Johnson (Preface to Shakespeare), Wordsworth (Preface to Lyrical Ballads), S.T. Coleridge (Biographia Literaria) |
| ENGC-410 | COMPARATIVE LITERATURE | Core | 6 | Introduction to Comparative Literature, Theories of Comparative Literature, Themes in Comparative Literature, Influence and Reception Studies, National vs. World Literature |
| SEC-2 | Skill Enhancement Course 2 (e.g., Business Communication) | Skill Enhancement Course | 4 | Principles of effective communication, Business correspondence, Report writing, Presentation skills, Email etiquette, Negotiation |
| GEN-4 | Generic Elective 4 | Generic Elective (Chosen from other disciplines) | 6 |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC-511 | AMERICAN LITERATURE | Core | 6 | Edgar Allan Poe (The Fall of the House of Usher), Emily Dickinson (Poems), Mark Twain (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn), T.S. Eliot (The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock), Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman) |
| ENGC-512 | POPULAR LITERATURE | Core | 6 | Chetan Bhagat (Five Point Someone), Detective Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy Literature, Children''''s Literature, Graphic Novels |
| DSE-1 | Discipline Specific Elective 1 (e.g., Women''''s Writing) | Discipline Specific Elective (Chosen from options like Modern Indian Writing, Women''''s Writing, Children''''s Literature, etc.) | 6 | Feminist literary theory, Key women writers, Representation of women in literature, Gender and literature, Women''''s voices in different contexts |
| DSE-2 | Discipline Specific Elective 2 (e.g., Modern Indian Writing) | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Post-colonial Indian literature, Partition literature, Regional Indian literatures in translation, Contemporary Indian authors, English vs. vernacular traditions |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC-613 | POSTCOLONIAL LITERATURES | Core | 6 | Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart), Ngugi Wa Thiong''''o (Decolonising the Mind), Derek Walcott (A Far Cry from Africa), A.K. Ramanujan (Small-Scale Reflections on a Great House), Edward Said (Orientalism - Selections) |
| ENGC-614 | LITERARY THEORY | Core | 6 | Structuralism and Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction, Feminist Literary Theory, Marxist Criticism, Post-colonialism, Psychoanalytic Criticism, Reader-Response Theory |
| DSE-3 | Discipline Specific Elective 3 (e.g., Children''''s Literature) | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | History of children''''s literature, Genres in children''''s literature, Classic children''''s authors and illustrators, Moral values and themes, Pedagogical aspects of children''''s literature |
| DSE-4 | Discipline Specific Elective 4 (e.g., Travel Writing) | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | History of travel literature, Travelogues and autobiographical elements, Cultural encounters in travel writing, Exploration narratives, Ethics of representation in travel writing |
