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M-A in English at Panjab University
Chandigarh, Chandigarh
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About the Specialization
What is English at Panjab University Chandigarh?
This M.A. English program at Panjab University, Chandigarh, focuses on developing advanced critical understanding of literature, language, and cultural studies. It delves into diverse literary traditions from across the globe, alongside key linguistic and pedagogical theories. The curriculum is designed to equip students with analytical rigor and research skills, highly relevant for academic pursuits and various communication-intensive roles in the Indian market.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for humanities graduates, particularly those with a background in English literature or language, seeking to deepen their academic knowledge. It also suits aspiring researchers, educators, content creators, and professionals aiming to enhance their critical thinking and communication skills for roles in publishing, media, and corporate communications within India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect promising career paths in academia (lecturers, researchers), content writing, editing, journalism, and public relations within India. Entry-level salaries can range from INR 3-6 lakhs annually, with significant growth potential into senior editorial or academic positions. The program provides a strong foundation for UGC NET/JRF examinations, a prerequisite for college teaching in India.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Literary and Linguistic Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Diligently study foundational texts in literary history, criticism, phonetics, and Indian English literature. Actively participate in lectures and tutorials, focusing on understanding key concepts and theoretical frameworks from the start.
Tools & Resources
University library, Official course textbooks, eGyanKosh (IGNOU), NPTEL humanities lectures
Career Connection
A strong conceptual base is paramount for all advanced studies, competitive exams like NET/JRF, and effective teaching or research in India.
Cultivate Critical Reading and Analytical Writing- (Semester 1-2)
Develop the habit of close reading, annotating texts, and identifying nuanced arguments. Practice writing clear, well-structured analytical essays, focusing on developing original insights and supporting them with textual evidence.
Tools & Resources
Peer review sessions, University writing center, Academic style guides (MLA Handbook), Literary journals
Career Connection
Enhances research capabilities, essential for academia, content development, editing, and roles requiring sophisticated written communication.
Engage with Interdisciplinary Perspectives- (Semester 1-2)
Explore how English literature and language intersect with other disciplines like history, philosophy, sociology, and cultural studies. Attend inter-departmental seminars or guest lectures to broaden your academic outlook.
Tools & Resources
Cross-listed courses (if available), University-wide lecture series, General academic journals focusing on humanities
Career Connection
Fosters versatile thinking, valuable for interdisciplinary research, journalism, policy analysis, and diverse content creation roles in India.
Intermediate Stage
Strategic Elective Selection and Deep Dive- (Semester 3)
Carefully choose electives (e.g., Research Methodology, Film Studies, Gender Studies) that align with your long-term academic or career goals. Dive deep into the chosen area through extensive reading and discussions, aiming to develop specialized knowledge.
Tools & Resources
Faculty mentors, Departmental advisors, Specialized academic journals, Online courses (Coursera, edX)
Career Connection
Builds a specialized portfolio for dissertation topics, competitive exams (NET/JRF), or specific industry roles (e.g., film critic, research associate) in India.
Initiate Dissertation/Project Research- (Semester 3)
Begin conceptualizing and outlining your dissertation or term paper. Identify potential research questions, conduct preliminary literature reviews, and connect with faculty for mentorship on your chosen topic.
Tools & Resources
University research guides, Academic databases (JSTOR, ProQuest), Reference management software (Mendeley, Zotero), Faculty office hours
Career Connection
Develops independent research skills, critical for Ph.D. aspirations, research roles, and demonstrating analytical capability to employers.
Participate in Academic Conferences/Presentations- (Semester 3)
Seek opportunities to present your research work (even a term paper) at departmental seminars, university-level student conferences, or local academic events. Practice public speaking and engaging with academic feedback.
Tools & Resources
Department notices, Calls for papers from university and regional conferences, Presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides)
Career Connection
Boosts confidence, refines presentation skills, builds academic network, and adds valuable experience to your CV for academic and professional roles.
Advanced Stage
Refine and Complete Dissertation/Project- (Semester 4)
Dedicate significant time to writing, revising, and finalizing your dissertation or project. Ensure it meets academic standards, demonstrates original thought, and is formatted correctly. Seek regular feedback from your supervisor.
Tools & Resources
Supervisor guidance, University dissertation guidelines, Academic writing resources, Proofreading services
Career Connection
The dissertation is a major academic achievement, showcasing advanced research, analytical, and writing skills, critical for academia and high-level content roles in India.
Intensive Preparation for Competitive Exams/Placements- (Semester 4)
If pursuing academia, begin intensive preparation for UGC NET/JRF by solving past papers and revising core syllabus areas. If aiming for industry, tailor your CV/resume, prepare for interviews, and actively look for relevant job openings.
Tools & Resources
UGC NET study materials, Online mock tests, Career counseling services, LinkedIn, Job portals (Naukri.com, Internshala)
Career Connection
Directly targets post-M.A. career goals, whether in teaching/research or securing positions in publishing, media, or corporate communication in India.
Build a Professional Portfolio and Online Presence- (Semester 4)
Compile your best academic papers, projects, and any creative writing samples into a professional portfolio. Create a strong LinkedIn profile highlighting your skills, research interests, and academic achievements.
Tools & Resources
Online portfolio platforms (e.g., Google Sites, Medium), LinkedIn, Personal blog (if applicable)
Career Connection
Essential for showcasing your capabilities to potential employers, academic institutions, and collaborators, enhancing visibility and career opportunities in India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor''''s degree (B.A. with Honours in English or B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. with 50% marks having English as an elective subject for 3 years/6 semesters; or B.A. with 45% marks with English as an elective subject at B.A. level or 45% marks in aggregate with English as an elective subject at B.A. level).
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 64 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAPER I | History of English Literature (From Chaucer to Eighteenth Century) | Core | 4 | Old English Period, Middle English Period, Renaissance and Elizabethan Age, Jacobean, Caroline, Commonwealth Periods, Restoration and Augustan Age |
| PAPER II | Literary Criticism (From Plato to Coleridge) | Core | 4 | Classical Criticism (Plato, Aristotle), Neoclassical Criticism (Dryden, Pope, Johnson), Romantic Criticism (Wordsworth, Coleridge), Longinus and Sidney, Major Critical Concepts |
| PAPER III | Phonetics and Linguistics | Core | 4 | Phonetics and Phonology (Speech Sounds, IPA), Morphology and Syntax, Semantics and Pragmatics, Language Families and Language Change, Sociolinguistics and Psycholinguistics |
| PAPER IV | Indian English Literature | Core | 4 | Emergence of Indian English Writing, Major Indian English Novelists, Indian English Poetry and Drama, Themes in Indian English Fiction, Post-colonial Perspectives |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAPER V | History of English Literature (From Nineteenth Century to the Present) | Core | 4 | Romantic Age, Victorian Age, Modernism, Post-Modernism, Contemporary Literature and Movements |
| PAPER VI | Literary Theory | Core | 4 | New Criticism and Structuralism, Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction, Feminist Criticism, Post-colonial Theory, Marxist and Psychoanalytic Criticism |
| PAPER VII | English Language Teaching (ELT) | Core | 4 | Principles and Approaches to ELT, Methods (Grammar Translation, Direct, CLT), Teaching Language Skills (LSRW), Teaching Aids and Materials, Classroom Management and Assessment |
| PAPER VIII A | American Literature | Elective | 4 | Puritanism and Transcendentalism, Harlem Renaissance, Modern American Novel, American Poetry and Drama, Major American Authors |
| PAPER VIII B | Canadian Literature | Elective | 4 | Early Canadian Writing, Modern Canadian Fiction, Canadian Poetry and Drama, Themes in Canadian Literature, Major Canadian Authors |
| PAPER VIII C | Australian Literature | Elective | 4 | Colonial and Post-colonial Australian Writing, Modern Australian Fiction, Australian Poetry and Drama, Aboriginal Literature, Major Australian Authors |
| PAPER VIII D | Commonwealth Literature | Elective | 4 | Post-colonial Theory, Commonwealth Novel, Poetry and Drama from Commonwealth Nations, Issues of Identity and Exile, Major Authors from Various Regions |
| PAPER VIII E | Translation Studies | Elective | 4 | Theories of Translation, Types of Translation, Cultural Issues in Translation, Equivalence and Untranslatability, Role and Ethics of a Translator |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAPER IX | Poetry (From Chaucer to Eighteenth Century) | Core | 4 | Chaucer (Prologue to Canterbury Tales), Spenser (Faerie Queene, Selected Cantos), Donne (Selected Poems), Milton (Paradise Lost, Book I), Pope (Rape of the Lock), Dryden (Absalom and Achitophel) |
| PAPER X | Drama (From Shakespeare to the Present) | Core | 4 | Shakespeare (Hamlet), Congreve (The Way of the World), Shaw (Pygmalion), Beckett (Waiting for Godot), Pinter (The Birthday Party), Girish Karnad (Hayavadana) |
| PAPER XI | Fiction (From Nineteenth Century to the Present) | Core | 4 | Austen (Pride and Prejudice), Dickens (Great Expectations), Hardy (Tess of the d''''Urbervilles), Virginia Woolf (To the Lighthouse), Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea), R.K. Narayan (The Guide) |
| PAPER XII A | Research Methodology | Elective | 4 | Types of Research and Research Design, Data Collection and Sampling Methods, Qualitative and Quantitative Data Analysis, Academic Writing and Thesis Structure, Ethical Considerations and Plagiarism |
| PAPER XII B | Literary Informatics | Elective | 4 | Introduction to Digital Humanities, Textual Analysis Tools and Software, Literary Databases and E-texts, Digital Archiving and Preservation, Copyright and Open Access in Digital Age |
| PAPER XII C | Studies in Gender | Elective | 4 | Introduction to Gender Theories, Feminist Literary Criticism, Masculinities and Queer Theory, Gender and Representation in Literature, Historical and Cultural Perspectives on Gender |
| PAPER XII D | Film Studies | Elective | 4 | History of Cinema, Introduction to Film Theory, Genre Studies and Auteur Theory, Indian Cinema and its Aesthetics, Film Adaptation of Literature |
| PAPER XII E | New Literatures in English | Elective | 4 | Post-colonial Theory and Commonwealth Writing, African Literature, Caribbean Literature, South Asian Diaspora Literature, Indigenous Voices in English |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAPER XIII | Poetry (From Nineteenth Century to the Present) | Core | 4 | Wordsworth (Selected Poems), Keats (Selected Odes), Tennyson (Ulysses), T.S. Eliot (The Waste Land), W.B. Yeats (Selected Poems), Philip Larkin (Selected Poems) |
| PAPER XIV | Essay, Prose & Non-Fictional Prose (From Bacon to the Present) | Core | 4 | Bacon (Of Studies, Of Truth), Lamb (Dream Children, Old China), Orwell (Politics and the English Language), Virginia Woolf (A Room of One''''s Own), Edward Said (Orientalism Excerpts), Modern Indian Prose Writers |
| PAPER XV | Dissertation / Term Paper / Project | Project | 4 | Research Topic Selection, Literature Review and Methodology, Data Analysis and Argumentation, Thesis Writing and Formatting, Oral Defense/Presentation |
| PAPER XVI A | Children''''s Literature | Elective | 4 | History and Evolution of Children''''s Literature, Genres (Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Adventure), Picture Books and Illustrated Texts, Didacticism and Moral Instruction, Contemporary Trends and Authors |
| PAPER XVI B | Partition Literature | Elective | 4 | Historical Context of India''''s Partition, Themes of Trauma, Memory, Displacement, Representation in Fiction, Poetry, Memoirs, Major Writers (Manto, Khushwant Singh), Cultural and Political Impact |
| PAPER XVI C | Dalit Literature | Elective | 4 | The Dalit Movement and Social Context, Dalit Autobiographies and Testimonies, Protest Poetry and Fiction, Major Dalit Writers and Literary Figures, Themes of Caste, Identity, and Resistance |
| PAPER XVI D | Popular Culture and Media Studies | Elective | 4 | Theories of Popular Culture, Media Representations and Ideology, Fan Culture and Audience Studies, Advertising, Consumerism, and Global Media, Internet, Social Media, and Digital Culture |
| PAPER XVI E | Stylistics | Elective | 4 | Linguistic and Literary Stylistics, Foregrounding and Deviation, Parallelism, Cohesion, and Coherence, Discourse Analysis and Pragmatics, Register and Dialect in Literary Texts |
