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M-A in English at Guru Nanak Dev University
Amritsar, Punjab
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About the Specialization
What is English at Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar?
This M.A. English program at Guru Nanak Dev University focuses on developing advanced literary and linguistic competencies, offering a comprehensive exploration of global literary traditions and critical theories. It emphasizes both historical literary studies and contemporary analytical frameworks, equipping students with deep insights into language, literature, and cultural studies, highly relevant for academic and content-driven sectors in India.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for arts graduates passionate about literature, language, and critical thinking, seeking entry into academic, research, or content creation roles. It also suits working professionals, such as teachers or journalists, looking to enhance their literary credentials and analytical skills, as well as career changers aiming to transition into fields requiring strong communication and interpretive abilities.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as educators, content writers, editors, journalists, public relations specialists, or researchers. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing significantly with experience. The program fosters critical analysis, effective communication, and research skills, aligning with demand for skilled professionals in India’s expanding media, education, and publishing industries.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Develop Robust Reading & Critical Analysis Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with prescribed texts by taking detailed notes, highlighting key themes, and questioning authorial intent. Participate in classroom discussions and join a university literary club to debate different interpretations and refine your analytical approach. Focus on understanding the historical and theoretical contexts of the literature.
Tools & Resources
University library, JSTOR, Literary journals, Peer discussion groups
Career Connection
Essential for academic research, content writing, literary criticism, and any role requiring deep comprehension and analytical thought.
Master Academic Writing and Research Basics- (Semester 1-2)
Pay close attention to academic writing workshops offered by the department or university. Practice structuring essays, citing sources correctly using MLA/Chicago style, and avoiding plagiarism. Start building a personal bibliography of relevant scholarly articles and books for future reference.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL, Zotero/Mendeley for reference management, University writing center, Sample academic papers
Career Connection
Crucial for dissertations, research proposals, academic publications, and professional communications in any field.
Build Foundational Knowledge in Linguistics & Phonetics- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to understanding the core concepts of English language history, structure, and phonetics. Utilize online resources, pronunciation guides, and language learning apps to improve your grasp of linguistic principles. This strengthens your understanding of language evolution and mechanics, which is vital for teaching and advanced linguistic studies.
Tools & Resources
Online dictionaries with pronunciation guides, Phonetic charts, Dedicated linguistic textbooks
Career Connection
Directly beneficial for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), language pathology, content editing, and communication roles.
Intermediate Stage
Deep Dive into Research Methodology & Project Planning- (Semester 3)
Apply the research methodology principles learned by identifying a potential dissertation topic early in the semester. Begin an extensive literature review, refine your research questions, and outline your proposed research design. Consult with faculty for guidance on selecting an appropriate supervisor and topic.
Tools & Resources
Research databases (MLA International Bibliography, Google Scholar), University research ethics guidelines, Faculty consultations
Career Connection
Directly prepares for the dissertation in Semester 4, essential for academic research careers, M.Phil/Ph.D. admissions, and project management roles.
Engage with Diverse Literary & Cultural Theories- (Semester 3)
Actively participate in discussions about British, World, and Postcolonial Literature, integrating various critical theories. Explore connections between literary texts and broader cultural, social, and political contexts. Consider presenting a paper at a departmental seminar or a small-scale student conference to hone presentation skills.
Tools & Resources
Academic journals, University seminars, Literary theory texts, Peer review sessions
Career Connection
Enhances analytical depth crucial for roles in cultural commentary, journalism, international relations, and academic discourse.
Develop Interdisciplinary Perspectives through Electives- (Semester 3)
Carefully select your Optional Paper (I) based on your career interests, whether it''''s Shakespeare, Women’s Writing, Popular Literature, or Contemporary Theory. Use this opportunity to specialize and explore how literature intersects with other fields or societal concerns, expanding your intellectual breadth.
Tools & Resources
Elective course descriptions, Faculty advisors, Career counseling services
Career Connection
Allows for early specialization, making you a more attractive candidate for specific niches in publishing, education, or media.
Advanced Stage
Execute and Present a High-Quality Dissertation- (Semester 4)
Dedicate significant time to the research, writing, and revision of your M.A. dissertation. Work closely with your supervisor, adhering to deadlines. Prepare for the viva-voce examination by practicing your presentation and articulating your research findings clearly and concisely.
Tools & Resources
University dissertation guidelines, Supervisor feedback, Academic writing tools, Presentation software
Career Connection
The dissertation is a capstone project, demonstrating advanced research and writing skills, critical for Ph.D. applications, research positions, and advanced content creation roles.
Refine Specialization and Professional Skills- (Semester 4)
Leverage your chosen Optional Paper (II) to further deepen your expertise in areas like Linguistics, ELT, Translation Studies, or Comparative Literature. Simultaneously, participate in university career workshops focusing on interview skills, resume building, and networking specific to the humanities job market in India.
Tools & Resources
Industry-specific workshops, Career services, Professional networking events, Alumni meetups
Career Connection
Directly targets career readiness, providing a competitive edge for placements in education, publishing, media, and language services.
Build a Professional Portfolio and Network- (Semester 4)
Curate a portfolio of your best academic essays, research papers, and any creative writing pieces. Connect with alumni and professionals in your target industries through LinkedIn and university-organized events. Seek opportunities for short-term internships or volunteer roles in publishing, journalism, or NGOs to gain practical experience.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Professional associations (e.g., Association for English Studies in India), University job fairs, Portfolio websites
Career Connection
Creates tangible evidence of your skills and broadens your professional network, significantly improving job search effectiveness and opening doors to diverse opportunities.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A. with English as one of the subjects having 50% marks in aggregate or 50% marks in English (Core/Elective/Functional English) or Bachelor’s degree with Honours in English or B.A. / B.Sc. / B.Com. with 55% marks in aggregate (As per GNDU Handbook of Information-Admissions 2023-24, p. 41).
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.A.ENG. 1.1 | Literary Criticism (From Plato to Leavis) | Core | 5 | Plato and Aristotle, Sidney and Dryden, Neoclassical and Romantic Criticism, Matthew Arnold, I.A. Richards, T.S. Eliot, F.R. Leavis |
| M.A.ENG. 1.2 | English Language: History, Structure and Phonetics | Core | 5 | History of English Language (Old, Middle, Modern), Phonetics and Phonology (Speech Sounds, IPA), Morphology and Word Formation, Syntax (Sentence Structure), Semantics (Meaning in Language) |
| M.A.ENG. 1.3 | British Literature (Renaissance to Restoration) | Core | 5 | Renaissance Drama and Poetry, Metaphysical Poets (Donne, Marvell), John Milton (Paradise Lost), Restoration Comedy and Satire, John Dryden |
| M.A.ENG. 1.4 | Indian Writing in English | Core | 5 | Early Indian English Fiction and Poetry, Raja Rao, R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Post-Independence Indian English Literature, Salman Rushdie, Contemporary Indian English Writers |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.A.ENG. 2.1 | Literary Theory (Post-Structuralism to Postmodernism) | Core | 5 | Structuralism and Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction (Derrida), Feminist Literary Theory, Postcolonial Theory (Said, Spivak, Bhabha), New Historicism, Marxism, Postmodernism |
| M.A.ENG. 2.2 | Teaching of English | Core | 5 | English Language Teaching (ELT) in India, Methods and Approaches to ELT, Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Teaching Language Skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking), Material Development and Evaluation |
| M.A.ENG. 2.3 | British Literature (18th Century and Romantic Period) | Core | 5 | 18th Century Prose and Poetry (Age of Reason), Augustan Age Literature, Rise of the Novel (Defoe, Swift), Romantic Poetry (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Shelley), Jane Austen and Romantic Fiction |
| M.A.ENG. 2.4 | American Literature | Core | 5 | American Renaissance and Transcendentalism, 19th Century American Poetry (Whitman, Dickinson), Modern American Fiction (Faulkner, Hemingway), American Drama (O''''Neill, Williams), Harlem Renaissance |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.A.ENG. 3.1 | British Literature (Victorian and Modern Period) | Core | 5 | Victorian Poetry (Tennyson, Browning), Victorian Prose and Novel (Dickens, Eliot), Modernism in British Literature, Virginia Woolf, T.S. Eliot, D.H. Lawrence, W.B. Yeats and Irish Literary Revival |
| M.A.ENG. 3.2 | Research Methodology | Core | 5 | Types and Approaches to Research, Research Design and Hypothesis Formulation, Data Collection and Analysis in Humanities, Literary Research Methods, Academic Writing, Plagiarism, Referencing Styles |
| M.A.ENG. 3.3 | World Literature | Core | 5 | Concept and Scope of World Literature, European Literature (beyond English), African Literature, Latin American Literature, Asian Literature (e.g., Japanese, Chinese) |
| M.A.ENG. 3.4 | Optional Paper – I (Choose any one) | Elective | 5 | Option A: Shakespeare (Tragedies, Comedies, Romances, Sonnets), Option B: Women’s Writing (Feminist Literary Criticism, Key Authors, Themes), Option C: Popular Literature (Detective Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy), Option D: Contemporary Literary and Cultural Theory (Cultural Studies, Eco-criticism) |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.A.ENG. 4.1 | British Literature (Post-War and Contemporary) | Core | 5 | Post-War British Fiction, Theatre of the Absurd, Angry Young Men Movement, Contemporary British Poetry, Postmodern Trends in British Literature |
| M.A.ENG. 4.2 | Postcolonial Literature | Core | 5 | Concepts of Postcolonialism, Subaltern Studies, Hybridity, Diaspora, African and Caribbean Writing, South Asian Postcolonial Writers, Themes of Identity, Nation, Resistance |
| M.A.ENG. 4.3 | Optional Paper – II (Choose any one) | Elective | 5 | Option A: Linguistics (Sociolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Applied Linguistics), Option B: English Language Teaching (Curriculum Design, Assessment, Technology in ELT), Option C: Translation Studies (Theories of Translation, Cultural Aspects, Practice), Option D: Comparative Literature (Methods, Interdisciplinary Approaches, Worlding) |
| M.A.ENG. 4.4 | Dissertation | Project | 5 | Research Proposal Development, Literature Review and Data Collection, Theoretical Framework Application, Thesis Writing and Editing, Presentation and Viva-Voce |
