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BA in English at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Palhipatti, Varanasi
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is English at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Palhipatti, Varanasi Varanasi?
This BA English program at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, offers a comprehensive exploration of literature in English, spanning various historical periods, global cultures, and critical theories. It emphasizes both classical and contemporary texts, including a significant focus on Indian Writing in English, aligning with India''''s rich linguistic diversity and literary heritage. The curriculum nurtures a deep understanding of literary analysis, critical thinking, and effective communication, essential for diverse career paths in the Indian market.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates from 10+2 seeking entry into academic, media, or content creation fields. It also caters to individuals passionate about literature, language, and cultural studies, aiming for careers in teaching, publishing, journalism, or civil services. Students with strong reading habits, analytical skills, and a desire to explore diverse literary traditions will find this specialization particularly rewarding, fostering intellectual growth and cultural awareness.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including content writing, editing, journalism, public relations, teaching, and civil services. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 LPA to 4.5 LPA, with significant growth potential in specialized roles like academic research or senior editorial positions. The program equips students with advanced communication, critical analysis, and research skills, highly valued in corporate, educational, and public sectors across the country, enabling them to pursue higher education or professional certifications.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Reading Foundation- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with the prescribed classical Indian and early English literature texts. Develop strong reading comprehension and analytical skills by actively noting themes, literary devices, and historical contexts. Participate in classroom discussions to articulate your understanding and refine interpretive abilities.
Tools & Resources
College Library, NCERT/IGNOU literary texts, Online literary resources like Project Gutenberg, Peer study groups
Career Connection
Mastering foundational texts is crucial for higher-level literary analysis, which is essential for careers in academia, content creation, and competitive exams requiring strong analytical reasoning.
Develop Academic Writing Proficiency- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on improving essay writing skills, understanding citation styles (e.g., MLA basics), and avoiding plagiarism. Practice summarizing, paraphrasing, and synthesizing information from diverse sources effectively. Seek feedback from professors on assignments to continually refine your academic prose.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab), Grammarly, University writing centers (if available), Grammar and style guides
Career Connection
Strong academic writing is a fundamental skill for all professions, particularly in research, publishing, journalism, and any role requiring professional communication.
Engage with Literary Debates and Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Actively explore and understand fundamental literary concepts, genres, and historical periods. Participate in literary clubs or college debates to articulate your perspectives on texts and engage with diverse interpretations, fostering critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
Tools & Resources
Literary magazines (online/print), YouTube channels on literary theory, College literary society, Discussions with peers and faculty
Career Connection
This builds a robust intellectual framework, critical for advanced studies, teaching, and jobs requiring deep analytical and interpretive skills, such as civil services or policy analysis.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Indian English Literature Deeply- (Semester 3-4)
Beyond classroom texts, read widely from diverse Indian English authors across various genres. Analyze how Indian socio-cultural contexts, historical events, and linguistic nuances shape the narratives and poetic expressions. Engage with contemporary Indian literary discourse and criticism.
Tools & Resources
Local libraries with Indian literature collections, Online journals on Indian literature, Interviews with Indian authors, Literary festivals (if accessible)
Career Connection
A deep understanding of Indian literature is invaluable for roles in publishing, cultural journalism, content development for Indian markets, and academic research focused on regional literatures.
Enhance Research and Critical Thinking- (Semester 3-4)
Undertake mini-research projects or extended essays on topics of interest, practicing literature review, argumentation, and scholarly presentation. Learn to apply basic literary theories to texts and critically evaluate different interpretations, moving beyond surface-level reading.
Tools & Resources
JSTOR (through institutional access), Google Scholar, Reputable academic blogs, Faculty mentorship for research topics
Career Connection
These skills are directly transferable to research-oriented careers, competitive exams, content strategy roles, and any profession demanding robust analytical problem-solving.
Develop Public Speaking and Presentation Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Actively volunteer for presentations in class, participate in college elocution or debate competitions, and join student-led seminars. Focus on articulating complex ideas clearly, confidently, and engagingly. Practice conveying literary insights to a diverse audience.
Tools & Resources
College debate club, Toastmasters (if available nearby), Self-recording and review, Faculty feedback on presentations
Career Connection
Excellent communication skills are paramount for roles in teaching, journalism, public relations, marketing, and leadership positions in any organization.
Advanced Stage
Specialize through Electives and Independent Study- (Semester 5-6)
Carefully choose Discipline Specific Electives (DSEs) that align with your career interests (e.g., American Literature for global content, Women''''s Writing for gender studies). Consider independent reading and research on a niche area within English literature, potentially culminating in a project.
Tools & Resources
Advanced literary journals, Specialized online courses (e.g., NPTEL, Coursera), Mentorship from professors in specific literary areas
Career Connection
Specialization makes you a more attractive candidate for specific roles (e.g., editor specializing in American fiction, researcher in gender studies) and prepares you for postgraduate studies.
Prepare for Post-Graduation and Career Pathways- (Semester 5-6)
Research postgraduate options (MA, B.Ed, competitive exams like NET/JRF, UPSC). Start preparing for entrance exams or civil services, focusing on General English, Essay Writing, and Literature-specific papers. Engage in internships related to publishing, content writing, or teaching for practical exposure.
Tools & Resources
Career counseling cell, Previous year question papers for competitive exams, Online aptitude tests, Networking with alumni
Career Connection
Proactive planning ensures a smooth transition to higher education or employment, enhancing your employability and providing a clear career trajectory in India.
Undertake a Comprehensive Research Project- (Semester 6)
Engage thoroughly with the final year research project or dissertation. Choose a topic that excites you, conduct meticulous research, and produce a well-structured, critically analyzed, and original piece of academic work. This serves as a capstone experience.
Tools & Resources
University library databases, Academic writing software, Statistical tools for qualitative data (if applicable), Dedicated faculty supervisor
Career Connection
Completing a significant research project demonstrates advanced analytical, writing, and independent work skills, highly valued in academia, research institutions, and any role requiring deep investigative abilities.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- 10+2 (Intermediate) examination passed from a recognized board in any stream.
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: Credits not specified
Assessment: Internal: 25% (Mid-term examinations, assignments, projects, presentations), External: 75% (End-semester university examinations)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAENG-101 | Indian Classical Literature (Major) | Core | 4 | Ancient Indian Aesthetics, Sanskrit Drama (e.g., Kalidasa''''s Abhijnanasakuntalam), Indian Epic Tradition (e.g., Vyasa''''s Mahabharata, Valmiki''''s Ramayana), Classical Indian Poetics, Literary Theories in Ancient India |
| BAENG-102 | English Literature: History, Periods, and Concepts (Major) | Core | 4 | Evolution of English Literature, Literary Movements and Periods (e.g., Medieval, Renaissance), Literary Forms and Genres (e.g., Drama, Poetry), Introduction to Literary Theory, Key Literary Concepts and Terms |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAENG-201 | Indian Writing in English (Major) | Core | 4 | Growth of Indian English Literature, Major Indian English Novelists (e.g., R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand), Indian English Poets (e.g., Sarojini Naidu, Nissim Ezekiel), Themes in Indian English Writing (e.g., Colonialism, Identity), Post-Colonial Perspectives on Indian Literature |
| BAENG-202 | English Literature: From Chaucer to Shakespeare (Major) | Core | 4 | Medieval English Literature, The Renaissance and Reformation, Elizabethan Age and Drama, Geoffrey Chaucer''''s Works (e.g., Canterbury Tales), William Shakespeare''''s Plays and Sonnets |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAENG-301 | British Poetry and Drama of the 17th and 18th Centuries (Major) | Core | 4 | Metaphysical Poetry (e.g., John Donne), Restoration Drama (e.g., William Wycherley), Augustan Age Poetry (e.g., Alexander Pope), Sentimental Comedy and Drama, Rise of the Novel in 18th Century |
| BAENG-302 | British Prose and Fiction of the 17th and 18th Centuries (Major) | Core | 4 | Age of Enlightenment and Reason, Essays of Bacon and Addison, Early Novelists (e.g., Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson), Satirical Prose (e.g., Jonathan Swift), Social and Philosophical Discourse |
| BAENG-SEC-I | Academic Writing and Composition (Skill Enhancement Course) | Skill Enhancement | 2 | Fundamentals of Academic Writing, Essay Structure and Argumentation, Research Skills and Referencing (e.g., MLA/APA basics), Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Plagiarism, Report Writing and Presentation |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAENG-401 | Romantic and Victorian Poetry (Major) | Core | 4 | Key Features of Romanticism, Major Romantic Poets (e.g., Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Shelley), Victorian Poetry and its Themes (e.g., Tennyson, Browning, Arnold), Dramatic Monologue, Nature, Imagination, and Society in Poetry |
| BAENG-402 | British Prose and Fiction of the 19th Century (Major) | Core | 4 | The Victorian Novel and its Characteristics, Major Victorian Novelists (e.g., Dickens, George Eliot, Brontë Sisters), Social Realism and Industrial Revolution in Literature, Essays of Carlyle and Ruskin, Themes of Class, Gender, and Morality |
| BAENG-SEC-II | Creative Writing (Skill Enhancement Course) | Skill Enhancement | 2 | Elements of Creative Writing, Poetry Writing Techniques, Short Story Structure and Narrative, Dialogue Writing, Developing Character and Plot |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAENG-501 | 20th Century English Literature (Major) | Core | 4 | Modernism and Post-Modernism, Major Modernist Poets (e.g., T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats), Modern Drama (e.g., Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter), Twentieth-Century Novel (e.g., Virginia Woolf, James Joyce), Themes of Alienation, Existentialism, and War |
| BAENG-502 | Literary Criticism and Theory (Major) | Core | 4 | Classical Literary Criticism (e.g., Aristotle, Plato), Romantic and Victorian Criticism, New Criticism and Russian Formalism, Structuralism and Post-Structuralism, Feminist, Marxist, and Post-Colonial Theories |
| BAENG-DSE-I | American Literature (Discipline Specific Elective) | Elective | 4 | Transcendentalism and American Romanticism, Major American Poets (e.g., Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson), Key American Novelists (e.g., Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald), Harlem Renaissance, Themes in American Literature (e.g., American Dream, Individualism) |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAENG-601 | World Literature in Translation (Major) | Core | 4 | Concepts of World Literature, European Modernism (e.g., Kafka, Camus), Latin American Literature (e.g., Gabriel Garcia Marquez), African Literature (e.g., Chinua Achebe), Post-Colonial Voices and Global Perspectives |
| BAENG-602 | Research Project / Dissertation in English (Major) | Core | 6 | Research Methodology in Literary Studies, Topic Selection and Literature Review, Data Collection and Analysis (Qualitative), Dissertation Writing and Formatting, Presentation Skills and Viva-Voce |
| BAENG-DSE-II | Women''''s Writing (Discipline Specific Elective) | Elective | 4 | Feminist Literary Criticism, Representation of Women in Literature, Themes of Patriarchy, Identity, and Resistance, Major Women Writers across Eras, Intersectionality and Gender Studies |
