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MA in English Literature at National College (Autonomous)
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
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About the Specialization
What is English Literature at National College (Autonomous) Tiruchirappalli?
This MA English Literature program at National College, Tiruchirappalli, offers a comprehensive exploration of literary traditions from Chaucer to contemporary global writings. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep appreciation for the nuances of language and culture, preparing students for diverse roles in India''''s burgeoning education, publishing, and media industries.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for humanities graduates seeking entry into academia, content creation, or communication fields. It also caters to aspiring teachers and lecturers, working professionals aiming to enhance their critical and communication skills, and individuals passionate about literary studies. Applicants should ideally possess a strong foundation in English literature or language from their undergraduate studies.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates can expect robust career paths in India as educators, content writers, editors, journalists, or communication specialists. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 lakhs annually, with significant growth potential in academic institutions, publishing houses, and corporate communications. The program''''s interdisciplinary approach also prepares students for competitive exams for civil services and public sector roles.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Cultivate Strong Reading and Analytical Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with prescribed texts, focusing on historical context, literary movements, and critical theories. Maintain a detailed reading journal to record observations, questions, and initial analyses, and actively participate in classroom discussions.
Tools & Resources
Online literary databases (JSTOR, Project MUSE), College library resources, Literary criticism journals
Career Connection
Develops foundational critical thinking, research skills, and articulate expression crucial for academic writing, teaching, and content development roles.
Enhance Academic Writing and Research Ethics- (Semester 1-2)
Master the conventions of academic writing, including essay structure, argumentation, and proper citation formats (e.g., MLA style). Attend workshops on research methodology and plagiarism prevention, ensuring all submitted work adheres to ethical academic standards.
Tools & Resources
MLA Handbook, Purdue OWL, College''''s academic writing center, Turnitin (if available)
Career Connection
Essential for higher studies (M.Phil./Ph.D.), research positions, and any profession requiring clear, well-structured written communication.
Engage in Peer Learning and Collaborative Study- (Semester 1-2)
Form study groups to discuss complex literary texts and theories, share perspectives, and prepare for examinations collaboratively. Peer teaching can deepen understanding and build confidence in explaining literary concepts to others.
Tools & Resources
Google Meet/Zoom for virtual discussions, Shared document platforms (Google Docs), College common rooms
Career Connection
Improves communication skills, teamwork, and ability to articulate complex ideas, valuable for teaching, corporate training, and collaborative project environments.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Diverse Literary Theories and Their Applications- (Semester 3-4)
Delve into various literary theories (e.g., Feminism, Postcolonialism, Deconstruction) and apply them to analyze texts from different periods and cultures. Seek out faculty guidance for deeper theoretical understanding and practical application.
Tools & Resources
Theoretical texts, Critical essays, Academic journals, Departmental seminars
Career Connection
Develops advanced analytical skills, critical perspectives, and intellectual versatility, highly sought after in academia, research, and nuanced content creation.
Participate in Departmental Seminars and Workshops- (Semester 3-4)
Actively attend and, if possible, present papers at departmental seminars, literary fests, and workshops. This exposes students to current research, expands their academic network, and hones presentation skills.
Tools & Resources
College event calendars, Departmental notice boards, Faculty mentorship
Career Connection
Boosts public speaking abilities, networking opportunities, and academic visibility, crucial for pursuing M.Phil./Ph.D. or securing teaching positions.
Undertake Independent Research Projects (Pre-Dissertation)- (Semester 3-4)
Begin exploring potential research interests and topics early, conducting preliminary literature reviews. This practice serves as a preparatory step for the final dissertation, allowing students to refine their research questions and methodologies.
Tools & Resources
Library''''s research databases, Faculty research interests, Past dissertations
Career Connection
Provides hands-on research experience, develops project management skills, and builds a strong foundation for future academic or research roles.
Advanced Stage
Prepare for NET/SET Examinations- (Final semester and post-graduation)
Dedicate significant time to systematically prepare for the National Eligibility Test (NET) or State Eligibility Test (SET), which are crucial for securing teaching positions and pursuing research in Indian universities. Focus on both paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) and paper 2 (English Literature).
Tools & Resources
Previous year question papers, UGC NET/SET study materials, Online coaching platforms, Peer study groups
Career Connection
Directly enables eligibility for Assistant Professor positions and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian higher education institutions.
Develop a Professional Portfolio and Network- (Throughout the program, intensified in the final semester)
Compile a portfolio of best academic papers, creative writing samples, and research work. Actively network with faculty, alumni, and professionals in target industries (e.g., publishing, media, education) through LinkedIn and conferences.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Professional conferences, College alumni network, Personal website/blog
Career Connection
Facilitates job applications, internship opportunities, and opens doors to mentorship and career advancement in competitive fields.
Master Interview and Communication Skills- (Final semester and post-graduation)
Practice mock interviews for academic, content, and corporate roles. Focus on articulating literary insights, research experience, and communication abilities clearly and concisely. Seek feedback from career services or mentors.
Tools & Resources
College career counseling, Mock interview sessions, Online resources for interview preparation, Public speaking clubs
Career Connection
Essential for excelling in job interviews for teaching, editing, content writing, and other communication-intensive roles across various sectors in India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A. English Literature / Communicative English or any B.A. Degree or B.Sc. Degree with Part I / Part II English from any recognized University.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 93 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23PGLE1CC1 | CHAUCER TO MILTON | Core | 5 | Medieval Literature, Renaissance Drama and Poetry, Elizabethan Age Prose, Puritanism and the Civil War, Chaucer''''s Poetry, Spenser and Milton |
| 23PGLE1CC2 | THE ROMANTIC AGE | Core | 5 | Romanticism: Characteristics and Ideals, First Generation Romantics (Wordsworth, Coleridge), Second Generation Romantics (Byron, Shelley, Keats), Romantic Prose (Lamb, Hazlitt, De Quincey), Gothic Novel and Historical Romance, Jane Austen and Walter Scott |
| 23PGLE1CC3 | THE VICTORIAN AGE | Core | 5 | Victorian Era: Social and Literary Context, Victorian Poetry (Tennyson, Browning, Arnold), Victorian Prose (Carlyle, Ruskin, Pater), The Victorian Novel (Dickens, Thackeray), George Eliot and Thomas Hardy, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood |
| 23PGLE1EC1 | ELECTIVE – I: ANGLO-INDIAN LITERATURE | Elective | 4 | Emergence of Indian English Writing, Early Indian English Novelists, Indian English Poetry, Themes and Concerns in Anglo-Indian Literature, R. K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Raja Rao, Kamala Markandaya and Nayantara Sahgal |
| 23PGLE1AC1 | ABILITY ENHANCEMENT COMPULSORY COURSE (AECC) – I : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY | Core | 4 | Definition and Types of Research, Formulating Research Problems, Literature Review and Hypothesis, Data Collection Methods, Interpretation and Report Writing, Documentation and Plagiarism |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23PGLE2CC4 | ELIZABETHAN AND JACOBEAN DRAMA | Core | 5 | Renaissance Drama: Context and Conventions, University Wits and Early Playwrights (Marlowe), Shakespearean Tragedy (Hamlet, Othello), Jacobean Drama and Revenge Tragedy (Webster), Comedy of Humours (Ben Jonson), Themes in Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama |
| 23PGLE2CC5 | ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS | Core | 5 | Introduction to Linguistics, Phonetics and Phonology, Morphology and Lexicology, Syntax and Semantics, History of the English Language, Sociolinguistics and Psycholinguistics |
| 23PGLE2CC6 | LITERARY CRITICISM | Core | 5 | Classical Criticism (Plato, Aristotle), Neoclassical Criticism (Dryden, Johnson), Romantic Criticism (Wordsworth, Coleridge), New Criticism and Formalism, Reader-Response Theory, Practical Criticism and Stylistics |
| 23PGLE2EC2 | ELECTIVE – II: CANADIAN LITERATURE | Elective | 4 | Introduction to Canadian Literature, Themes: Wilderness, Identity, Multiculturalism, Canadian Novelists (Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro), Canadian Poets (A.M. Klein, E.J. Pratt), Indigenous Voices in Canadian Literature, Robertson Davies and Michael Ondaatje |
| 23PGLE2AC2 | ABILITY ENHANCEMENT COMPULSORY COURSE (AECC) – II: ENGLISH FOR CAREER | Core | 4 | Effective Communication Skills, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, Interview Techniques and Group Discussions, Presentation Skills, Professional Etiquette, Public Speaking |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23PGLE3CC7 | TWENTIETH CENTURY LITERATURE | Core | 5 | Modernism and its Manifestations, Poetry: T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats, Ted Hughes, Novel: Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, D.H. Lawrence, Drama: Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Postmodernism and its Characteristics, Stream of Consciousness technique |
| 23PGLE3CC8 | AMERICAN LITERATURE | Core | 5 | Early American Literature and Puritanism, American Romanticism and Transcendentalism, Realism and Naturalism, Modern American Novel (Faulkner, Hemingway), African American Literature (Toni Morrison), American Poetry (Whitman, Dickinson) |
| 23PGLE3CC9 | LITERARY THEORIES | Core | 5 | Structuralism and Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction (Derrida), Feminist Literary Theory, Postcolonial Theory (Said, Spivak, Bhabha), Psychoanalytic Criticism (Freud, Lacan), Marxist Literary Criticism |
| 23PGLE3EC3 | ELECTIVE – III: WORLD LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION | Elective | 4 | Introduction to World Literature, European Classics (Kafka, Camus), Latin American Boom (Garcia Marquez), African Literature (Chinua Achebe), Asian Literature in Translation, Challenges of Translation |
| 23PGLE3AC3 | SKILL ENHANCEMENT COURSE (SEC) – I : SOFT SKILLS | Core | 4 | Interpersonal Communication, Time Management and Goal Setting, Stress Management and Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution and Negotiation, Leadership and Teamwork, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23PGLE4CC10 | NEW LITERATURES IN ENGLISH | Core | 5 | Postcolonialism and Commonwealth Literature, African Literature and its Themes, Caribbean Literature (Walcott, Brathwaite), Australian and New Zealand Literature, Salman Rushdie and V.S. Naipaul, Diaspora and Transnational Literatures |
| 23PGLE4CC11 | GENDER STUDIES | Core | 5 | Introduction to Gender Studies, Feminist Literary Criticism (Woolf, Beauvoir), Masculinity Studies, Queer Theory (Butler, Foucault), Gender and Representation in Literature, Intersectionality and Identity |
| 23PGLE4PRO | PROJECT / DISSERTATION | Project | 6 | Research Topic Selection, Detailed Literature Review, Methodology and Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation of Findings, Structure and Chapters of Dissertation, Presentation and Viva-Voce |
| 23PGLE4AC4 | ABILITY ENHANCEMENT COMPULSORY COURSE (AECC) – IV: TEACHING METHODOLOGY | Core | 4 | Principles of Teaching and Learning, Methods of Language Teaching, Classroom Management Techniques, Lesson Planning and Curriculum Design, Assessment and Evaluation Strategies, Use of Educational Technology |
| 23PGLE4VOE | VALUE ADDED / EXTENSION EDUCATION COURSE (VAEC) – I: JOURNALISM | Core | 4 | Principles and Ethics of Journalism, News Reporting and Feature Writing, Editing and Proofreading, Types of Media: Print, Broadcast, Digital, Media Laws and Public Relations, Interviewing and Investigative Journalism |
