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BA-HONS in English at Pachhunga University College
Aizawl, Mizoram
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About the Specialization
What is English at Pachhunga University College Aizawl?
This BA (Honours) in English program at Pachhunga University College, affiliated with Mizoram University, provides a comprehensive exploration of diverse literary traditions and linguistic theories. It focuses on developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep appreciation for the written word, essential for various roles in India''''s rapidly evolving communication and content industries. The program equips students with advanced communication and interpretation abilities, catering to the growing demand for skilled communicators and content creators.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh 10+2 graduates with a keen interest in literature, language, and critical analysis, seeking a strong foundation for higher studies or careers in media, publishing, or education. it also suits individuals aiming for competitive examinations like the UPSC Civil Services, where strong language and analytical skills are paramount. Additionally, it can benefit those looking to enhance their communication abilities for roles in corporate communications or content development.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles in journalism, content writing, publishing, teaching, public relations, and advertising. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 to 4.5 LPA, with experienced professionals earning INR 6-12 LPA or more, particularly in senior content or editorial positions. The program fosters critical thinking and communication, crucial for success in the dynamic Indian job market and for pursuing advanced degrees or qualifying for prestigious civil service positions.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Cultivate Extensive Reading Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Engage in wide reading beyond prescribed texts, including literary classics, contemporary fiction, and non-fiction. Utilize college library resources and online platforms like Project Gutenberg for free e-books. Join a college reading club to discuss interpretations and broaden perspectives.
Tools & Resources
College Library, Project Gutenberg, Goodreads, College Reading Clubs
Career Connection
Strong reading habits are fundamental for developing vocabulary, comprehension, and analytical skills, which are crucial for academic success, competitive exams, and careers in content, journalism, and research.
Master Academic Writing and Research Basics- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on developing clear, concise, and argumentative writing skills. Learn to structure essays, paragraphs, and use proper citation methods (e.g., MLA style). Attend workshops on academic integrity and avoid plagiarism, utilizing tools for self-correction.
Tools & Resources
MLA Handbook, Purdue OWL, Grammarly (free version), College Writing Center/Faculty Mentorship
Career Connection
Proficiency in academic writing is essential for research, report generation, and professional communication across all industries, enhancing employability in content creation, editing, and administrative roles.
Enhance Communication and Public Speaking- (Semester 1-2)
Participate actively in classroom discussions, seminars, and debates. Join college or local Toastmasters clubs to practice public speaking and presentation skills. Focus on clear articulation, confident delivery, and effective audience engagement.
Tools & Resources
College Debate Club, Toastmasters International (local chapters), TED Talks for inspiration
Career Connection
Excellent communication skills are universally valued, crucial for interviews, presentations, teaching, and client-facing roles in sectors like marketing, PR, and corporate training.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Literary Criticism and Theory- (Semester 3-5)
Deepen understanding of various literary theories (feminism, post-colonialism, Marxism) and critical approaches. Apply these theories to analyze texts beyond surface-level readings. Participate in inter-departmental literary discussions or conferences.
Tools & Resources
Critical Theory textbooks, Online academic journals (JSTOR via college access), Literary theory discussion forums
Career Connection
Develops advanced analytical and interpretive skills, vital for roles in literary research, academic writing, cultural criticism, and civil services, requiring nuanced understanding of complex issues.
Explore Creative Writing and Publishing- (Semester 3-5)
Actively pursue creative writing in different genres (poetry, short stories, essays). Submit work to college magazines, local literary journals, or online platforms. Attend writing workshops and connect with local authors or literary groups for feedback and networking.
Tools & Resources
College Literary Magazine, Online writing communities (e.g., Wattpad, StoryMirror - for Indian context), Local author workshops
Career Connection
Builds a portfolio for careers in professional writing, content creation, journalism, publishing, and digital media, showcasing practical application of literary skills.
Undertake Mini-Research Projects and Internships- (Semester 3-5)
Initiate small research projects on topics of interest, focusing on data collection and analysis. Seek internships at local newspapers, publishing houses, digital marketing agencies, or NGOs to gain practical exposure to content creation, editing, and communication roles.
Tools & Resources
College faculty for guidance, LinkedIn for internship search, Local media/publishing houses
Career Connection
Provides real-world experience, helps in building a professional network, and translates theoretical knowledge into practical skills, significantly boosting resume value for placements.
Advanced Stage
Prepare for Competitive Examinations (UPSC, NET/SLET)- (Semester 6)
Dedicate time to preparing for postgraduate entrance exams or civil services examinations like UPSC, which often require strong essay writing, comprehension, and general knowledge. Join coaching classes or study groups focused on these exams.
Tools & Resources
UPSC/NET study materials, Online coaching platforms, Peer study groups
Career Connection
Directly enables entry into prestigious government services, academia, or research roles, offering high-impact career opportunities in India.
Build a Professional Portfolio and Network- (Semester 6)
Compile a portfolio of your best academic essays, creative writing pieces, research papers, and project work. Actively attend industry seminars, literary festivals, and alumni events to network with professionals in publishing, media, and education. Create a strong LinkedIn profile.
Tools & Resources
Online portfolio platforms (e.g., WordPress, Medium), LinkedIn, Industry events and workshops
Career Connection
A robust portfolio and professional network are critical for showcasing skills, gaining referrals, and securing placements in competitive fields like media, content marketing, and public relations.
Develop Specialized Career Skills- (Semester 6)
Identify a specific career path (e.g., technical writing, digital content creation, instructional design) and pursue online certifications or short courses. Focus on developing skills like SEO writing, basic graphic design for content, or advanced editing software proficiency.
Tools & Resources
Coursera/edX for certifications, HubSpot Academy for content marketing, Canva for graphic design basics
Career Connection
Acquiring niche skills makes graduates highly attractive to employers in specialized roles, providing a competitive edge in a diverse job market and facilitating direct entry into desired professions.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Passed the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) Examination of the Mizoram Board of School Education or any other examination recognized by the Mizoram University as equivalent thereto.
Duration: 3 years / 6 semesters
Credits: 144 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC01 | Indian Classical Literature | Core | 6 | Indian Poetics and Aesthetics, Natyashastra and Rasa Theory, Major Indian Epics and their Adaptations, Sanskrit Drama, Prakrit and Apabhramsha Literature |
| ENGC02 | European Classical Literature | Core | 6 | Greek Epic: Homer''''s Iliad/Odyssey, Greek Tragedy: Sophocles, Euripides, Roman Comedy: Plautus, Terence, Latin Lyric Poetry: Horace, Catullus, Classical Literary Theories: Aristotle''''s Poetics, Longinus'''' On the Sublime |
| AECC01 | Environmental Studies | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies, Natural Resources: Renewable and non-renewable, Ecosystems: Structure and function, Biodiversity and its conservation, Environmental pollution and control |
| GE01 | Generic Elective Course 1 | Elective (from other departments) | 6 | Topics from other disciplines such as Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, Commerce, Mathematics, Computer Science |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC03 | Indian Writing in English | Core | 6 | Evolution of Indian English Literature, Major Indian English Novelists, Indian English Poetry, Indian English Drama and Short Stories, Themes: Nationalism, Identity, Colonialism, Gender |
| ENGC04 | British Poetry and Drama (14th-17th Centuries) | Core | 6 | Chaucer and Medieval English Poetry, Elizabethan Drama: Shakespeare''''s Tragedies/Comedies, Metaphysical Poets: John Donne, George Herbert, Jacobean Drama and Revenge Tragedy, Renaissance Lyric Poetry |
| AECC02 | English/MIL Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Theory of Communication, Reading Skills and Comprehension, Writing Skills: Paragraph, Essay, Report, Grammar and Usage for Effective Communication, Presentation Skills and Public Speaking |
| GE02 | Generic Elective Course 2 | Elective (from other departments) | 6 | Topics from other disciplines such as Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, Commerce, Mathematics, Computer Science |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC05 | American Literature | Core | 6 | Colonial and Early American Writing, American Romanticism and Transcendentalism, Major American Novelists, Modern American Poetry and Drama, Themes: American Dream, Slavery, Frontier Life |
| ENGC06 | Popular Literature | Core | 6 | Introduction to Popular Fiction Genres, Detective and Crime Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, Children''''s Literature and Graphic Novels, Bollywood and Popular Culture Studies |
| ENGC07 | British Poetry and Drama (18th Century) | Core | 6 | Augustan Age Poetry: Pope, Swift, Restoration Comedy of Manners, Sentimental Comedy and Drama, Rise of the Novel, Pre-Romantic Poets: Gray, Collins |
| ENGSEC01A | Creative Writing | Skill Enhancement Course (Elective) | 2 | Principles and Techniques of Creative Expression, Forms of Poetry and Poetic Devices, Short Story Writing: Plot, Character, Setting, Playwriting: Dialogue and Structure, Essay and Feature Article Writing |
| GE03 | Generic Elective Course 3 | Elective (from other departments) | 6 | Topics from other disciplines such as Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, Commerce, Mathematics, Computer Science |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC08 | British Literature (19th Century) | Core | 6 | Romantic Poetry: Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Victorian Novel: Dickens, Eliot, Victorian Poetry: Tennyson, Browning, Drama and Theatre in the 19th Century, Prose and Essays of the Victorian Era |
| ENGC09 | Women’s Writing | Core | 6 | Feminist Literary Theory and Criticism, Women''''s Autobiographical Writings, Poetry by Women Writers, Fiction by Women Authors, Gender, Patriarchy, and Representation in Literature |
| ENGC10 | British Literature (Early 20th Century) | Core | 6 | Modernist Poetry: Eliot, Yeats, Modernist Novel: Woolf, Joyce, Absurdist and Experimental Drama, War Literature and its Impact, Imagism and Vorticism |
| ENGSEC02A | English Language Teaching | Skill Enhancement Course (Elective) | 2 | Principles and Methodologies of ELT, Teaching Grammar and Vocabulary, Teaching Language Skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Classroom Management and Materials Development, Assessment and Evaluation in ELT |
| GE04 | Generic Elective Course 4 | Elective (from other departments) | 6 | Topics from other disciplines such as Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, Commerce, Mathematics, Computer Science |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC11 | Modern European Drama | Core | 6 | Realism and Naturalism in European Theatre, Symbolism and Expressionism, Theatre of the Absurd: Beckett, Ionesco, Brecht and Epic Theatre, Existentialist Drama |
| ENGC12 | Postcolonial Literatures | Core | 6 | Introduction to Postcolonial Theory, Colonialism and Decolonization in Literature, Themes: Identity, Migration, Hybridity, African, Caribbean, and South Asian Writings, Subaltern Studies and Resistance Narratives |
| ENGDSE01A | Literary Theory | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Formalism and New Criticism, Structuralism and Post-structuralism, Deconstruction and Reader-Response Theory, Marxist and Feminist Literary Theories, Psychoanalytic and Postmodern Literary Theories |
| ENGDSE02A | Literature and Cinema | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Adaptation Theory: Literature to Film, Narrative Structures in Literature and Cinema, Semiotics of Cinema, Bollywood Studies and Indian Cinema, Representations and Intertextuality |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGC13 | World Literatures | Core | 6 | Concept of World Literature and its Scope, Literature in Translation: Challenges and Opportunities, Global South Literatures, Indigenous Literatures and Oral Traditions, Cross-Cultural Readings and Comparative Approaches |
| ENGC14 | Contemporary Literature | Core | 6 | Post-War and Postmodern Fiction, Contemporary Poetry and its Forms, Experimental Drama and Performance Studies, Digital Humanities and Cyberculture, Themes: Globalization, Consumerism, Identity in the 21st Century |
| ENGDSE03A | African Literature | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Oral Tradition and Folklore in African Literature, Colonialism and its Aftermath, Négritude Movement and Pan-Africanism, Apartheid Literature and Resistance Narratives, Post-Independence Themes and Challenges |
| ENGDSE04A | Research Methodology | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Introduction to Research: Types and Approaches, Research Design and Problem Formulation, Data Collection Methods: Primary and Secondary, Qualitative and Quantitative Research Techniques, Research Ethics and Academic Writing |
