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BA in English at Mawlai Presbyterian College
East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
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About the Specialization
What is English at Mawlai Presbyterian College East Khasi Hills?
This English program at Mawlai Presbyterian College, affiliated with North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), offers a comprehensive exploration of diverse literary traditions and critical theories. Students engage with classical and modern, Indian and European, and postcolonial literatures, fostering strong analytical, interpretive, and communication skills. The curriculum is designed to cultivate a deep appreciation for language, culture, and critical thought, highly relevant in India''''s evolving professional landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for students passionate about literature, critical thinking, and effective communication. It suits fresh graduates aspiring for careers in teaching, journalism, content creation, civil services, or publishing. It also benefits individuals seeking to enhance their analytical abilities and cultural understanding, laying a strong foundation for both academic pursuits and diverse professional roles in India''''s dynamic job market.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can pursue diverse career paths in India, including roles in content writing, editing, journalism, public relations, teaching, and civil services. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 to 4.5 LPA, with experienced professionals in publishing, media, or academia potentially earning INR 8-15 LPA. The program''''s focus on critical analysis and strong communication significantly aids professional growth in various Indian organizations.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Literary Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to understanding foundational literary theories, genres, and historical periods from Indian and European classical literature. Utilize NEHU recommended texts, critical essays, and online literary archives. Form study groups to discuss complex ideas and develop a strong analytical framework for interpreting texts.
Tools & Resources
NEHU recommended reading lists, Project Gutenberg, Literary criticism journals, Peer study groups
Career Connection
A strong conceptual foundation in literature is crucial for academic success and provides the analytical tools required for various professions, including research, journalism, and content development.
Enhance Communication Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in the ''''English Communication'''' AECC course. Practice public speaking, essay writing, and critical listening. Seek feedback on your written and oral presentations from faculty. Join college debating societies or literary clubs to hone verbal articulation and persuasive communication.
Tools & Resources
College debate clubs, Toastmasters (if available), Grammarly, Online writing guides
Career Connection
Exceptional communication skills are paramount for success in any career path, particularly in roles like content creation, public relations, teaching, and administrative services in India.
Explore Interdisciplinary Electives- (Semester 1-2)
Thoughtfully choose Generic Elective (GE) courses from other disciplines (e.g., History, Political Science, Psychology). This broadens your perspective, enriches your understanding of English literature''''s societal contexts, and develops a holistic analytical approach.
Tools & Resources
NEHU prospectus for GE options, Academic advisors, Interdisciplinary textbooks
Career Connection
Interdisciplinary knowledge makes graduates more adaptable and versatile, highly sought after in modern Indian workplaces that value diverse skill sets and critical thinking across domains.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize through Skill Enhancement Courses- (Semester 3-4)
Select Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC) like Academic Writing, Creative Writing, or English Language Teaching (ELT) strategically. Actively engage in practical exercises, workshops, and projects to develop tangible skills. Consider publishing short creative pieces in college magazines or local journals.
Tools & Resources
Creative writing workshops, ELT textbooks, College publications, Local writing competitions
Career Connection
Developing specialized skills in academic writing, creative expression, or language teaching enhances your resume, opening doors to specific roles in publishing, media, education, and content industries in India.
Engage with Contemporary Literary Debates- (Semester 3-4)
Beyond the syllabus, explore contemporary literary theory, postcolonial studies, and gender studies through independent reading and discussions. Follow prominent Indian literary critics and authors. Attend literary festivals or online webinars to stay updated on current discourse and expand your intellectual horizon.
Tools & Resources
Literary magazines (e.g., The Indian Quarterly), Online literary forums, TED Talks on literature, Guest lectures by authors/scholars
Career Connection
A keen awareness of contemporary issues and critical perspectives is vital for roles in academia, journalism, and research, enabling graduates to contribute meaningfully to cultural discussions in India.
Participate in Literary Research Projects- (Semester 3-4)
Identify areas of interest within your core subjects and initiate small research projects, perhaps in collaboration with faculty or peers. Practice identifying research questions, gathering resources, and presenting findings effectively. This builds foundational research skills essential for higher studies.
Tools & Resources
NEHU library resources, JSTOR, MLA Handbook, Faculty mentorship
Career Connection
Early exposure to research methodology is invaluable for those considering postgraduate studies, academic careers, or research-intensive roles in think tanks and policy analysis in India.
Advanced Stage
Strategically Choose Discipline Specific Electives (DSEs)- (Semester 5-6)
Align your DSE choices with your career aspirations. If interested in academia, opt for Literary Criticism or Research Methodology. If journalism or media is your goal, consider Travel Writing or Popular Literature analysis. Deep dive into the chosen area through extensive reading and projects.
Tools & Resources
Career counseling services, Industry expert talks, Advanced subject-specific readings, Project-based learning
Career Connection
Strategic DSE choices allow for specialization, making you a more attractive candidate for targeted roles in publishing, research, media, or education sectors, aligning with specific industry demands in India.
Undertake Internships or Volunteering- (Semester 5-6)
Seek internships in publishing houses, media organizations, content marketing firms, NGOs, or educational institutions. Gain practical exposure to professional environments. Volunteering for literary events or community literacy programs also provides valuable experience and networking opportunities.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, LinkedIn, Internshala, Local NGOs and publishing houses
Career Connection
Practical experience through internships is a significant differentiator in the Indian job market, offering real-world skills, industry contacts, and often leading to pre-placement offers.
Prepare for Post-Graduation and Competitive Exams- (Semester 5-6)
Utilize the strong analytical and communication foundation to prepare for NET/SLET, UPSC Civil Services, or other postgraduate entrance exams. Focus on general knowledge, current affairs, and subject-specific aptitude. Engage in mock interviews and group discussions to refine your competitive edge.
Tools & Resources
Coaching institutes (if desired), Previous year question papers, Current affairs magazines, Online preparation platforms
Career Connection
Early and focused preparation for competitive exams or postgraduate studies maximizes opportunities for higher education, prestigious government jobs, and specialized careers in India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- No eligibility criteria specified
Duration: 6 semesters / 3 years
Credits: 140 Credits
Assessment: Internal: As per NEHU regulations (typically 30%), External: As per NEHU regulations (typically 70%)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-1 | Environmental Studies | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies, Natural Resources and Associated Problems, Ecosystems and Energy Flow, Biodiversity and its Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Management, Human Population and the Environment |
| ENG-C-1 | Indian Classical Literature | Core | 6 | Sanskrit Drama (Abhijnanasakuntalam), Indian Epic Tradition (Mahabharata, Ramayana), Classical Indian Poetics and Aesthetics, Ancient Indian Narratives and Folklores, Literary Texts from Sanskrit, Pali, and Tamil, Themes of Dharma, Karma, and Moksha |
| ENG-C-2 | European Classical Literature | Core | 6 | Greek Epic (Homer''''s Iliad), Greek Tragedy (Sophocles'''' Oedipus Rex), Roman Comedy (Plautus'''' Pot of Gold), Aristotle''''s Poetics, Plato''''s Republic (Book X), Classical Rhetoric and Philosophy |
| BA-GE-1 | Generic Elective - 1 (from other discipline) | Generic Elective | 6 | Introduction to chosen academic discipline (e.g., History, Political Science, Sociology, Economics), Fundamental concepts and theories of the field, Basic methodologies and approaches, Scope and relevance of the subject area, Interdisciplinary connections with other subjects, Key thinkers and their contributions |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-2 | English Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Theory and Process of Communication, Reading Skills and Comprehension, Writing Skills (Paragraph, Essay, Report Writing), Listening Skills and Note-Taking, Oral Communication and Presentation Skills, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Pronunciation |
| ENG-C-3 | Indian Writing in English | Core | 6 | Early Indian English Novel (Mulk Raj Anand, Raja Rao), Indian English Poetry (Sarojini Naidu, Nissim Ezekiel), Indian English Short Stories (R.K. Narayan, Anita Desai), Post-Independence Indian English Literature, Themes of Colonialism, Nationalism, Identity, and Culture, Diaspora Literature and its characteristics |
| ENG-C-4 | British Poetry and Drama (14th - 17th Centuries) | Core | 6 | Geoffrey Chaucer (The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales), Elizabethan Drama (Christopher Marlowe''''s Doctor Faustus), William Shakespeare (Sonnets, A Midsummer Night''''s Dream), Metaphysical Poets (John Donne, George Herbert), Renaissance Poetry and its themes, Jacobean and Caroline Drama |
| BA-GE-2 | Generic Elective - 2 (from other discipline) | Generic Elective | 6 | Advanced concepts and debates in the chosen GE discipline, Application of theoretical frameworks to practical problems, Case studies and problem-solving exercises, Methods of analysis and interpretation in the field, Contemporary issues and future directions, Cross-cultural perspectives |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEC-1 | Skill Enhancement Course - 1 (Choose one from: Academic Writing and Composition, Creative Writing, Translation Studies) | Skill Elective | 2 | Academic Writing and Composition techniques, Creative Writing (Poetry, Prose, Drama), Principles and practice of Translation Studies, Drafting and editing academic papers, Developing imaginative and expressive writing skills, Intercultural communication through translation |
| ENG-C-5 | American Literature | Core | 6 | Early American Poetry (Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson), American Renaissance (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau), African-American Literature (Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison), Modern American Fiction (F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway), Themes of American Dream, Identity, Race, and Puritanism, Post-World War II American Literature |
| ENG-C-6 | Popular Literature | Core | 6 | Detective Fiction (Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie), Children''''s Literature (Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl), Science Fiction (H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov), Fantasy Literature (J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling), Graphic Novels and Comics Studies, Analysis of Best-sellers and Mass Market Fiction |
| ENG-C-7 | British Poetry and Drama (18th Century) | Core | 6 | Augustan Poetry (Alexander Pope, John Dryden), Restoration Comedy (William Congreve''''s The Way of the World), Sentimental Drama and Novel, Satire and Mock-Heroic Literature, Rise of the Novel (Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding), Age of Enlightenment and Reason |
| BA-GE-3 | Generic Elective - 3 (from other discipline) | Generic Elective | 6 | Specialized topics and subfields within the chosen GE discipline, Critical analysis of current research and scholarship, Independent study or mini-project in the field, Ethical considerations and social impact of the discipline, Preparation for advanced learning in the subject, Policy implications and practical applications |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEC-2 | Skill Enhancement Course - 2 (Choose one from: English Language Teaching, Soft Skills, Public Speaking) | Skill Elective | 2 | English Language Teaching methodologies and practices, Soft Skills for professional development and interpersonal communication, Public Speaking and presentation techniques, Curriculum design and material development in ELT, Developing leadership and teamwork skills, Overcoming stage fright and building confidence |
| ENG-C-8 | British Romantic Literature | Core | 6 | Romantic Poets (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, Keats), Gothic Novel (Mary Shelley''''s Frankenstein), Nature and Imagination in Romanticism, Themes of Revolution, Individualism, Emotion, and Spirituality, Romantic literary theory and criticism, The Sublime and the Picturesque |
| ENG-C-9 | British Literature (18th Century) | Core | 6 | Enlightenment Philosophy and its Literary Impact, Satirical Prose (Jonathan Swift''''s Gulliver''''s Travels), Epistolary Novel (Samuel Richardson''''s Pamela), Sentimentalism and the Rise of Sentiment, Periodical Essays (Joseph Addison, Richard Steele), Early Feminist Voices and Social Critique |
| ENG-C-10 | British Literature (19th Century) | Core | 6 | Victorian Novel (Charles Dickens, George Eliot), Victorian Poetry (Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning), Realism and Naturalism in Literature, Social Commentary and the Industrial Revolution, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Aestheticism, Themes of Doubt, Progress, and Empire |
| BA-GE-4 | Generic Elective - 4 (from other discipline) | Generic Elective | 6 | Integration of learning from previous generic electives, Advanced application of disciplinary knowledge to complex problems, Conducting independent research or project work, Exploring contemporary debates and future trends in the field, Developing comprehensive understanding for higher studies or career, Ethical considerations in advanced research |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG-C-11 | Women''''s Writing | Core | 6 | Feminist Literary Theory and Criticism, Early Women Writers (Mary Wollstonecraft, Jane Austen), Suffragist Literature and Political Activism, Contemporary Women Novelists (Virginia Woolf, Alice Walker), Gender, Representation, and Patriarchy in Literature, Themes of Identity, Autonomy, and Social Roles |
| ENG-C-12 | Modern European Drama | Core | 6 | Realism and Naturalism (Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov), Symbolism and Expressionism in Theatre, Theatre of the Absurd (Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco), Epic Theatre (Bertolt Brecht), Post-War European Drama and its themes, Modern Dramatic Techniques and Innovations |
| ENG-DSE-1 | Discipline Specific Elective - 1 (Choose one from: Literary Criticism, Partition Literature, Travel Writing: A Literary Approach, Dalit Literature, Autobiography) | Elective | 6 | Literary Criticism (Formalism, Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Marxism), Partition Literature (Indian subcontinent partition narratives), Travel Writing as a literary genre and its evolution, Dalit Literature (themes, history, prominent writers), Autobiography (forms, theories, representative texts), In-depth study of chosen specialized literary field |
| ENG-DSE-2 | Discipline Specific Elective - 2 (Choose one from: Literary Criticism, Partition Literature, Travel Writing: A Literary Approach, Dalit Literature, Autobiography) | Elective | 6 | Advanced theories and schools of Literary Criticism, Cultural impact and aftermath in Partition Literature, Exploration of place, identity, and perspective in Travel Writing, Social justice, resistance, and identity in Dalit Literature, Narrative strategies and ethics in Autobiography, Interdisciplinary approaches to literary studies |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG-C-13 | Postcolonial Literatures | Core | 6 | Theories of Postcolonialism (Edward Said, Gayatri Spivak, Homi Bhabha), African Literature (Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong''''o), Caribbean Literature (Derek Walcott, V.S. Naipaul), South Asian Literature (Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy), Themes of Identity, Hybridity, Resistance, Decolonization, Subaltern Studies and Postcolonial Discourse |
| ENG-C-14 | English Language Teaching | Core | 6 | ELT Methodologies (Grammar-Translation, Communicative Approach, Task-Based Learning), Second Language Acquisition Theories, Course Design and Material Development in ELT, Classroom Management and Pedagogy in Language Teaching, Assessment and Evaluation in Language Teaching, Role of Technology in ELT |
| ENG-DSE-3 | Discipline Specific Elective - 3 (Choose one from: Science Fiction and Detective Literature, Research Methodology, Indian Aesthetics, Children''''s Literature) | Elective | 6 | Science Fiction (themes, subgenres, representative authors), Detective Literature (history, conventions, famous detectives), Research Methodology (types, design, data collection, analysis), Indian Aesthetics (Rasa Theory, Dhvani, Alankaras, Natyashastra), Children''''s Literature (genres, authors, pedagogical aspects), Specialized study in chosen advanced literary or academic field |
| ENG-DSE-4 | Discipline Specific Elective - 4 (Choose one from: Science Fiction and Detective Literature, Research Methodology, Indian Aesthetics, Children''''s Literature) | Elective | 6 | Philosophical implications and social commentary in Science Fiction, Narrative structures and psychological aspects of Detective Literature, Academic writing, citation styles, and thesis preparation in Research Methodology, Impact of ancient Indian theories on contemporary arts in Indian Aesthetics, Psychological, social, and developmental aspects of Children''''s Literature, Interdisciplinary connections and advanced research potential |
