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BACHELOR-OF-ARTS in English at Panchla Mahavidyalaya
Howrah, West Bengal
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About the Specialization
What is English at Panchla Mahavidyalaya Howrah?
This English Honours program at Panchla Mahavidyalaya, affiliated with the University of Calcutta, offers a comprehensive exploration of English language and literature. It delves into literary history, diverse cultural contexts, and critical theories from Anglo-Saxon to contemporary periods. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, analytical prowess, and advanced communication skills, making it highly relevant for various intellectual and professional pursuits within the Indian landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideally suited for students with a profound interest in literature, language, and cultural studies, seeking a robust foundation in the humanities. It attracts fresh graduates aspiring to careers in academia, content creation, journalism, publishing, or further higher education. Individuals passionate about reading, writing, and critical analysis, coupled with strong communication aptitude, will find this specialization enriching and well-aligned with diverse Indian industries.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue a wide array of career paths in India, including academic research, teaching at various levels, content writing, editing, technical writing, public relations, and media. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 LPA to 4.5 LPA, with experienced professionals potentially earning INR 6 LPA to 12 LPA or more in specialized publishing and media roles. The program also provides an excellent foundation for competitive examinations and advanced academic pursuits.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Immersive Reading & Analytical Engagement- (Semester 1-2)
Consistently engage with all prescribed literary texts and explore supplementary readings. Join or initiate a college literary club to actively discuss and critically analyze literature with peers, thereby deepening comprehension and enhancing critical thinking skills. Utilize academic search engines for basic background but prioritize direct textual engagement.
Tools & Resources
College Library, Project Gutenberg (for public domain texts), Literary Discussion Groups
Career Connection
Develops core analytical and interpretative skills, essential for any career requiring critical evaluation of information and complex problem-solving.
Mastering Communication Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Participate actively in all classroom discussions, seminars, and presentations to hone oral communication. Practice essay writing regularly, focusing on clear argumentation, structured thought, and grammatical precision. Seek feedback from professors and utilize college''''s language resources to improve written and verbal proficiency.
Tools & Resources
College Language Lab, Grammarly, Peer Review Sessions, Faculty Consultations
Career Connection
Strong communication is paramount for roles in content creation, journalism, teaching, public relations, and corporate communications across Indian industries.
Cultivating Academic Research Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Maintain a dedicated journal for reflections on readings, literary analyses, and initial research ideas. Familiarize yourself with the college library''''s academic databases and research methodologies from early on. This helps in understanding literary criticism and building a foundation for more complex research assignments.
Tools & Resources
College Library Databases (JSTOR, EBSCOhost), Google Scholar, Personal Reading Journal
Career Connection
Prepares for rigorous academic work, competitive examinations, and research-oriented roles by fostering independent learning and systematic inquiry.
Intermediate Stage
In-depth Exploration of Literary Theory- (Semester 3-5)
Go beyond basic definitions of literary theories (e.g., Feminism, Postcolonialism, Structuralism). Form study groups to apply various theoretical frameworks to diverse literary texts, broadening analytical perspectives. Attend workshops, seminars, and guest lectures on literary criticism to grasp complex theoretical nuances and debates.
Tools & Resources
Theory textbooks (e.g., Peter Barry), Online Literary Theory resources, Departmental Seminars
Career Connection
Develops advanced critical thinking and analytical rigor, valuable for academic research, content strategy, and any field requiring nuanced interpretation.
Practical Writing and Content Development- (Semester 3-5)
Actively seek opportunities to apply writing skills in practical settings. Contribute articles to the college magazine or local publications, start a blog, or engage in content creation for college events. Consider taking supplementary online courses in creative writing, copywriting, or technical writing to diversify your skill set.
Tools & Resources
College Magazine/Newsletter, Blogging Platforms (WordPress), Online Writing Courses (Coursera, Udemy)
Career Connection
Builds a portfolio of practical writing, making students highly competitive for roles in publishing, journalism, digital marketing, and content industries in India.
Networking and Mentorship Engagement- (Semester 3-5)
Connect with senior students, alumni, and faculty members within the English department and beyond. Attend literary festivals, guest lectures, and academic conferences to expand your professional network. Seek mentorship for academic guidance, potential internship opportunities, and career advice, fostering valuable connections for future growth.
Tools & Resources
Alumni Network, LinkedIn, Departmental Events, Faculty Office Hours
Career Connection
Opens doors to internships, job opportunities, and provides valuable industry insights and guidance, crucial for navigating the Indian job market.
Advanced Stage
Specialized Research and Dissertation (if applicable)- (Semester 6)
Intensely focus on your Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) papers and, if a dissertation is an option, choose a research topic aligned with your intellectual and career interests. Engage in rigorous academic research, critical analysis, and develop original arguments, demonstrating advanced scholarly capabilities.
Tools & Resources
Advanced Academic Databases, Research Guides, Faculty Advisors
Career Connection
Showcases high-level research and analytical skills, essential for postgraduate studies, research positions, and intellectual leadership roles.
Targeted Placement and Career Readiness- (Semester 6)
Actively participate in campus placement drives, career counseling sessions, and mock interview workshops. Develop a compelling resume highlighting your literary analysis, critical thinking, and communication skills. Prepare for aptitude tests and interviews relevant to content, education, or competitive civil services exams.
Tools & Resources
College Placement Cell, Resume Building Workshops, Mock Interview Sessions
Career Connection
Ensures readiness for entry into the professional world, securing placements in various sectors aligned with humanities graduates'''' skills.
Advanced Skill Development and Portfolio Building- (Semester 6)
Beyond the curriculum, consider developing advanced skills such as SEO writing, digital content management, instructional design, or advanced proofreading. Explore professional certifications in specialized writing tools or communication strategies. Curate a strong portfolio of your best academic and creative writing.
Tools & Resources
Online Certifications (e.g., Google Digital Garage), Portfolio Websites (Clippings.me), Professional Writing Software
Career Connection
Enhances employability and allows for specialization in niche roles within the dynamic and competitive Indian job market.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- No eligibility criteria specified
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: 140 (approx. based on CBCS structure for Honours) Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20% (approx. 15 marks for 6-credit papers, 10 marks for 2-credit papers), External: 80% (approx. 60 marks for 6-credit papers, 40 marks for 2-credit papers)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-1-1 | Early English Literature | Core | 6 | Anglo-Saxon Poetry (Beowulf), Chaucer''''s Canterbury Tales, Medieval Morality Plays, Renaissance Sonnets, Elizabethan Drama (Marlowe) |
| ENGA-CC-1-2 | 16th Century English Literature | Core | 6 | Elizabethan Prose and Poetry, Sir Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser, Shakespeare''''s Early Works, Jacobean Drama |
| AECC-1 | Environmental Studies | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution, Natural Resources Management, Climate Change and Global Warming, Environmental Ethics and Legislation |
| GE-1 | Generic Elective - I | Generic Elective | 6 | Chosen from other disciplines (e.g., History, Political Science, Economics), Fundamental concepts of chosen discipline, Key theories and approaches, Relevant socio-economic aspects, Basic analytical skills |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-2-3 | 17th Century English Literature | Core | 6 | Metaphysical Poets (Donne, Herbert), John Milton (Paradise Lost), Jacobean and Caroline Drama, Francis Bacon''''s Essays, Restoration Prose |
| ENGA-CC-2-4 | 18th Century English Literature | Core | 6 | Restoration Comedy (Congreve), Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, Rise of the Novel (Defoe, Richardson), Augustan Age Literature |
| AECC-2 | English Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Grammar and Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Report and Essay Writing, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking |
| GE-2 | Generic Elective - II | Generic Elective | 6 | Chosen from other disciplines, Core principles of the chosen subject, Theoretical frameworks, Societal impact and relevance, Basic research methods |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-3-5 | Romantic Period Literature | Core | 6 | Romantic Poets (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley), John Keats and Lord Byron, Jane Austen''''s Novels, Gothic Fiction, Romanticism in European Context |
| ENGA-CC-3-6 | Victorian Period Literature | Core | 6 | Victorian Poets (Tennyson, Browning), Charles Dickens'''' Novels, Bronte Sisters, George Eliot, Victorian Prose and Social Issues |
| ENGA-CC-3-7 | Literary Criticism | Core | 6 | Classical Criticism (Plato, Aristotle), Renaissance and Neoclassical Criticism, Romantic and Victorian Criticism, Russian Formalism, New Criticism |
| SEC-A-1 | Skill Enhancement Course - A | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Academic Writing and Composition, Creative Writing, Translation Studies, Technical Writing, Digital Humanities |
| GE-3 | Generic Elective - III | Generic Elective | 6 | Chosen from other disciplines, Advanced topics in selected field, Case studies and applications, Interdisciplinary connections, Problem-solving techniques |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-4-8 | Modernism and Postmodernism | Core | 6 | Modernist Poetry (Eliot, Yeats), Virginia Woolf and James Joyce, Theatre of the Absurd (Beckett), Postmodernist Fiction, Literary Experimentation |
| ENGA-CC-4-9 | Postcolonial Literature | Core | 6 | Postcolonial Theory, Salman Rushdie, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong''''o, Commonwealth Literature |
| ENGA-CC-4-10 | American Literature | Core | 6 | American Romanticism (Emerson, Whitman), Transcendentalism, Harlem Renaissance, American Modernism, Contemporary American Fiction |
| SEC-B-1 | Skill Enhancement Course - B | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | English Language Teaching (ELT), Journalism and Mass Communication, Book Publishing, Film Studies, Translation: Theory and Practice |
| GE-4 | Generic Elective - IV | Generic Elective | 6 | Chosen from other disciplines, Specialized topics in chosen field, Research methodologies, Current trends and debates, Professional applications |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-5-11 | 20th Century Literature (Early) | Core | 6 | W.B. Yeats''''s Poetry, T.S. Eliot''''s The Waste Land, Virginia Woolf''''s Novels, D.H. Lawrence''''s Fiction, Early Modernist Drama |
| ENGA-CC-5-12 | 20th Century Literature (Later) | Core | 6 | Post-World War II Literature, Samuel Beckett''''s Drama, Ted Hughes''''s Poetry, Philip Larkin, Emergent Postcolonial Voices |
| ENGA-DSE-A-1 | Modern Indian Writing in English Translation | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 6 | Post-independence Indian Fiction, Regional Literature in Translation, Mahasweta Devi, Premchand, Rabindranath Tagore |
| ENGA-DSE-A-2 | Partition Literature | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 6 | Historical Context of India-Pakistan Partition, Themes of Trauma and Memory, Saadat Hasan Manto, Amrita Pritam, Khushwant Singh''''s Train to Pakistan |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-6-13 | Contemporary Literary Theory | Core | 6 | Post-structuralism (Derrida, Foucault), Postmodernism and its implications, Cultural Studies, Eco-criticism, Digital Humanities and Literary Studies |
| ENGA-CC-6-14 | World Literature in English | Core | 6 | Anglophone Literature, Caribbean Literature, African Literature, Canadian Literature, Global Englishes and Diasporic Writing |
| ENGA-DSE-B-3 | Literature for Children | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 6 | History of Children''''s Literature, Genres (Fairy Tales, Adventure, Fantasy), Classic Authors (Lewis Carroll, Beatrix Potter), Moral and Educational Aspects, Contemporary Trends in Children''''s Books |
| ENGA-DSE-B-4 | Dalit Literature | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 6 | Dalit Aesthetics and Identity, Caste System in Indian Literature, Autobiographical Narratives (Om Prakash Valmiki), Marathi and Kannada Dalit Writers, Themes of Protest and Resistance |
