

BA in English at Maharaja Madakari Nayaka First Grade College


Chitradurga, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is English at Maharaja Madakari Nayaka First Grade College Chitradurga?
This BA English program at Maharaja Madakari Nayaka First Grade Arts and Commerce College, affiliated to Davangere University, focuses on a comprehensive study of English language and literature. It explores diverse literary periods, genres, and critical theories, preparing students for various communication and content-driven roles in India. The curriculum aims to foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep appreciation for global literary traditions.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates seeking entry into fields like content writing, journalism, publishing, and teaching. It also suits individuals passionate about literature, language, and communication, aiming to build a strong foundation for postgraduate studies or competitive examinations. Students with a strong aptitude for reading, writing, and critical analysis will find this program highly rewarding.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue career paths such as content writer, editor, journalist, public relations specialist, teacher, or copywriter within India. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 to 4 LPA, with significant growth potential up to INR 8-12 LPA for experienced professionals. The program also serves as an excellent stepping stone for further academic pursuits like MA, B.Ed, or competitive exams.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Immerse in Literary Classics- (Semester 1-2)
Actively read and critically analyze prescribed texts, supplementing with online literary databases and critical essays from platforms like Project Gutenberg or SparkNotes. This builds a strong foundational understanding of literary movements and styles, crucial for advanced studies and analytical roles in content creation.
Tools & Resources
Project Gutenberg, SparkNotes, College Library Resources
Career Connection
Develops critical thinking and analytical skills, essential for content analysis, editing, and research roles.
Develop Strong Academic Writing Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Practice essay writing, critical analysis, and research paper construction, focusing on clarity, coherence, and argumentative structure. Utilize tools like Grammarly, Purdue OWL for citation guides, and seek regular feedback from professors.
Tools & Resources
Grammarly, Purdue OWL, College Writing Center
Career Connection
Establishes a solid base for all academic assessments and future professional writing careers in journalism, content, or academia.
Engage in Literary Discussions & Debates- (Semester 1-2)
Participate actively in classroom discussions, literary societies, and departmental events to articulate ideas and engage with diverse interpretations. Joining college debate clubs or book review forums helps hone public speaking and critical reasoning skills.
Tools & Resources
College Literary Society, Debate Club, Online Book Forums
Career Connection
Enhances public speaking, persuasive communication, and critical reasoning, invaluable for interviews and professional communication roles.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Diverse Literary Genres & Theories- (Semester 3-5)
Beyond the core syllabus, delve into genres like regional Indian literature in English translation, graphic novels, or drama performances. Engage with basic literary theories through online courses (e.g., NPTEL, Coursera) or open-access journals.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL, Coursera, Open-access literary journals
Career Connection
Broadens perspective and makes students versatile for content curation, academic research, and teaching roles requiring diverse literary knowledge.
Undertake Project-Based Learning- (Semester 3-5)
Seek opportunities to work on small research projects, literary analyses, or creative writing assignments beyond the curriculum. Collaborate with peers or professors to publish in college magazines or local literary journals.
Tools & Resources
College Magazine/Newsletter, Departmental Projects
Career Connection
Develops practical application of knowledge, enhances portfolio value for future employment in content, publishing, or media industries.
Build a Professional Network- (Semester 3-5)
Attend literary festivals, workshops, and guest lectures (online or offline) by authors, editors, and journalists. Connect with alumni working in relevant fields through platforms like LinkedIn or college networking events.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Literary Festivals (e.g., Jaipur Lit Fest), College Alumni Network
Career Connection
Provides exposure to industry trends, potential career paths, and internship opportunities within the Indian job market.
Advanced Stage
Refine Specialized Communication Skills- (Semester 5-6)
Focus on advanced writing skills for specific career paths, such as technical writing, academic publishing, or digital marketing content. Pursue certifications in content writing, SEO writing, or journalism ethics from platforms like HubSpot Academy or specific training institutes.
Tools & Resources
HubSpot Academy, Google Digital Garage, Specialized writing courses
Career Connection
Directly prepares students for industry-specific roles, increasing employability in the rapidly evolving digital and content landscape.
Intensive Placement Preparation- (Semester 5-6)
Engage in mock interviews, resume workshops, and group discussions focusing on common HR questions and subject-specific knowledge. Prepare a portfolio of written work, including academic essays, creative pieces, and any project reports. Utilize college placement cells and online job portals for targeted applications.
Tools & Resources
College Placement Cell, Naukri.com, LinkedIn Jobs, Mock Interview Platforms
Career Connection
Maximizes chances of successful placement in media houses, PR firms, publishing companies, or educational institutions.
Explore Higher Education and Competitive Exams- (Semester 5-6)
Research options for MA in English, B.Ed, or Civil Services exams. Prepare for entrance tests (e.g., NET, SET, GRE) by solving past papers and joining study groups. Explore various universities offering specialized English programs.
Tools & Resources
UGC NET/SET previous papers, Government job portals, University prospectuses
Career Connection
Ensures a clear pathway for advanced academic careers, research opportunities, teaching professions, or roles in the civil services.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- PUC (10+2) pass or equivalent from a recognized board
Duration: 6 semesters / 3 years
Credits: Credits not specified
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 1A | English Poetry (From Chaucer to Eighteenth Century) | Discipline Specific Core (Optional English) | 4 | Geoffrey Chaucer and Medieval Poetry, Edmund Spenser''''s Renaissance Poetics, William Shakespeare''''s Sonnets, John Donne and Metaphysical Poetry, John Milton''''s Epic Poetry, Alexander Pope and Neoclassical Verse |
| AECC | English Language (I) | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Fundamentals of Communication, Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary Building, Basic Writing Skills, Reading Comprehension Strategies |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 2A | English Poetry (From Romantic to Modern Age) | Discipline Specific Core (Optional English) | 4 | Romantic Poets: Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Keats, Victorian Poets: Tennyson, Browning, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Symbolism in Poetry, Modernist Poetry: Yeats, Eliot, Contemporary Trends in Poetry |
| AECC | English Language (II) | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Advanced Communication Techniques, Academic Essay Writing, Formal and Informal Letter Writing, Report Writing Principles, Public Speaking Skills |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 3A | English Prose | Discipline Specific Core (Optional English) | 4 | Baconian Essays, Addison and Steele''''s Periodical Essays, Romantic Prose: Charles Lamb, Victorian Prose: R.L. Stevenson, Modern Essays: G.K. Chesterton, A.G. Gardiner, Evolution of English Prose |
| SEC 1 | English Language Teaching (ELT) | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Methods and Approaches to ELT, Role of the English Teacher, Teaching Grammar and Vocabulary, Classroom Management in ELT, Lesson Planning and Material Development |
| AECC | English Language (III) | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Effective Presentation Skills, Interview Techniques, Group Discussion Strategies, Elements of Creative Writing, Effective Communication in Professional Settings |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 4A | English Drama | Discipline Specific Core (Optional English) | 4 | Shakespearean Tragedy (Hamlet), Restoration Comedy, Modern Drama: G.B. Shaw (Pygmalion), Irish Renaissance Drama: J.M. Synge, Poetic Drama: T.S. Eliot, Absurdist Theatre |
| SEC 2 | English Language Teaching (ELT) - Part II | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Teaching Listening and Speaking Skills, Teaching Reading Comprehension, Teaching Writing Skills, Use of Technology in ELT, Assessment in Language Learning |
| AECC | English Language (IV) | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Official Communication Formats, Business Correspondence, Effective Resume Writing, Crafting Cover Letters, Email Etiquette |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 5A | English Fiction | Discipline Specific Core (Optional English) | 4 | Early Novel: Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice), Victorian Novel: Charles Dickens (Hard Times), Thomas Hardy, Modernist Novel: Virginia Woolf (To the Lighthouse), Narrative Techniques and Forms, Themes in English Fiction, Evolution of the Novel |
| DSE 5B | Literary Criticism | Discipline Specific Elective (Optional English) | 4 | Classical Criticism: Aristotle''''s Poetics, Renaissance Criticism: Philip Sidney, Neoclassical Criticism: Samuel Johnson, Romantic Criticism: Wordsworth, Coleridge, Modern Criticism: T.S. Eliot, I.A. Richards, Contemporary Critical Approaches |
| DSC 6A | American Literature | Discipline Specific Core (Optional English) | 4 | Transcendentalism: Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Romanticism: Edgar Allan Poe, American Renaissance Poetry: Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Modern American Poetry: Robert Frost, Modern American Fiction: Ernest Hemingway, Themes in American Literature |
| DSE 6B | Indian Writing in English | Discipline Specific Elective (Optional English) | 4 | Early Indian English Fiction: R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Raja Rao, Indian Women Writers: Kamala Markandaya, Indian English Poetry: Arun Kolatkar, Nissim Ezekiel, Post-Independence Indian Writing, Themes of Identity and Colonialism, Evolution of Indian English Literature |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC 7A | History of English Literature | Discipline Specific Core (Optional English) | 4 | Old and Middle English Periods, The Renaissance and Elizabethan Age, The Augustan Age and Neoclassicism, The Romantic Revival, The Victorian Era, The Modern and Postmodern Ages |
| DSE 7B | Modern European Drama | Discipline Specific Elective (Optional English) | 4 | Realism and Naturalism: Henrik Ibsen (A Doll''''s House), August Strindberg, Symbolist Drama, Chekhovian Drama: Anton Chekhov (The Cherry Orchard), Theatre of the Absurd: Samuel Beckett (Waiting for Godot), Expressionism and Epic Theatre, Major Playwrights and Movements |
| DSC 8A | Commonwealth Literature | Discipline Specific Core (Optional English) | 4 | Australian Literature: A.D. Hope, Caribbean Literature: Derek Walcott, African Literature: Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Canadian Literature: Margaret Atwood, Postcolonial Themes and Voices, Nobel Laureates from Commonwealth |
| DSE 8B | Postcolonial Literature | Discipline Specific Elective (Optional English) | 4 | Key Concepts: Orientalism, Hybridity, Subalternity, Theories of Edward Said, Homi Bhabha, Gayatri Spivak, African Postcolonial Fiction: Ngugi wa Thiong''''o, Subcontinental Postcolonial Narratives: Salman Rushdie, Themes of Decolonization and Identity, Postcolonialism in various literary forms |




