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M-A in English at Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is English at Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya Varanasi?
This M.A. English program at Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya focuses on a comprehensive study of English literature, language, and critical theory. It provides deep insights into diverse literary periods and genres, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and analytical skills. The program is designed to meet the growing demand for skilled literary professionals and communicators in various Indian sectors.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a B.A. in English seeking advanced literary knowledge and research skills. It also caters to aspiring academics, content creators, journalists, and those aiming for competitive examinations. Individuals passionate about literary analysis, cultural studies, and effective communication will find this program highly enriching.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as educators, researchers, content writers, editors, and civil servants. Entry-level salaries range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing significantly with experience. The program enhances analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and communication, essential for academic and corporate growth.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Literary Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicating time to thoroughly understand foundational literary periods, movements, and theoretical frameworks from semesters 1 and 2. Regularly attend lectures, participate in discussions, and consult classic critical texts. Form study groups to dissect complex ideas and ensure a strong conceptual base.
Tools & Resources
Official syllabus readings, Key critical anthologies, Online literary journals, Peer study groups
Career Connection
A strong foundation is crucial for advanced literary research, effective teaching, and analytical roles in content creation, setting the groundwork for academic excellence and future career growth.
Develop Critical Reading and Writing Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with prescribed texts, identifying themes, literary devices, and authorial intent. Practice analytical essay writing regularly, focusing on clear argumentation, evidence-based analysis, and academic integrity. Seek feedback from professors and peers to refine writing style and critical expression.
Tools & Resources
MLA Handbook/Style Guide, Online writing centers, Turnitin (if available), Faculty consultations
Career Connection
These skills are indispensable for any role requiring intellectual rigor, from academia and research to journalism, content development, and policy analysis, enhancing employability in diverse fields.
Participate in Departmental Activities and Seminars- (Semester 1-2)
Engage actively in seminars, workshops, and literary events organized by the English Department. Present papers, participate in debates, and attend guest lectures to broaden perspectives beyond the curriculum. This helps in developing public speaking skills and academic networking within the institution.
Tools & Resources
Departmental notice boards, College literary society, University-level conferences
Career Connection
Such participation builds confidence, hones presentation skills, and fosters connections with faculty and peers, which are beneficial for networking, future research opportunities, and academic placements.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Interdisciplinary Connections- (Semester 3-4)
While specializing in English, seek to understand how literature intersects with history, philosophy, sociology, and cultural studies. This involves reading beyond the core syllabus and engaging with broader intellectual currents, particularly in papers like American Literature and Indian English Literature.
Tools & Resources
Cross-disciplinary academic journals, Online courses (NPTEL, SWAYAM), University library resources
Career Connection
An interdisciplinary approach enriches understanding, makes research more robust, and opens up career avenues in fields like cultural studies, public policy, and even content strategy in diverse industries.
Begin Research Project/Dissertation Planning- (Semester 3)
Start identifying areas of interest for the Semester 4 dissertation early. Consult with faculty mentors, read existing research papers, and formulate preliminary research questions. This proactive approach ensures ample time for literature review and methodological clarity.
Tools & Resources
JSTOR, Project MUSE, Google Scholar, Research guides/librarians, Faculty advisors
Career Connection
Early planning of the dissertation ensures a high-quality project, which is critical for academic pursuits (NET/JRF, PhD) and demonstrates independent research capabilities valued in all professional domains.
Engage with Literary Debates and Current Trends- (Semester 3-4)
Stay updated with contemporary literary criticism, new publications, and ongoing debates in the field. Participate in online forums, subscribe to literary newsletters, and critically analyze how established theories apply to emerging literary works. This is especially relevant for Modern and Post-Modern Literature, and Postcolonial Studies.
Tools & Resources
The Literary Hub, London Review of Books, The Indian Quarterly, Online literary forums
Career Connection
Being current with literary trends makes students more agile and relevant, preparing them for roles in publishing, journalism, and cultural commentary, where insight into contemporary narratives is key.
Advanced Stage
Focus on Dissertation/Research Publication- (Semester 4)
Dedicate significant effort to conducting thorough research, writing, and refining the dissertation. Aim for originality and scholarly rigor. Consider presenting findings at student conferences or even publishing excerpts in college journals to gain academic exposure.
Tools & Resources
Research software (if applicable), Grammarly/proofreading tools, University research cell, Academic editing services
Career Connection
A well-executed dissertation is a tangible portfolio piece for academic jobs (Assistant Professor), research positions, and strengthens applications for further studies (PhD) both in India and abroad.
Prepare for NET/JRF and Other Competitive Exams- (Semester 4)
Alongside academic coursework, begin dedicated preparation for national-level eligibility tests like UGC NET/JRF, which are crucial for teaching and research careers in Indian universities. Focus on paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) and paper 2 (English Literature).
Tools & Resources
Previous year question papers, Online coaching platforms, Standard reference books for NET/JRF, Mock tests
Career Connection
Success in NET/JRF directly qualifies graduates for Assistant Professor positions and provides a stipend for PhD research, significantly boosting career prospects in Indian academia.
Build a Professional Portfolio and Network- (Semester 4)
Compile a portfolio of academic writing (essays, papers, dissertation abstract) and any creative writing or content creation work. Attend job fairs, connect with alumni, and leverage online professional platforms to explore career opportunities and build a valuable professional network.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Professional writing samples, Resume/CV building workshops, Alumni association
Career Connection
A strong portfolio and network are vital for securing placements in publishing, content agencies, media, or educational institutions, providing access to mentorship and job openings in India''''s competitive market.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Graduation in any discipline, with B.A. having English as one of the subjects from a recognized university.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 64 (4 credits per paper, 4 papers per semester) Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEL 101 | Chaucer and the Early Renaissance | Core | 4 | Geoffrey Chaucer''''s life and works, The Canterbury Tales (Prologue, Nun''''s Priest''''s Tale), Troilus and Criseyde, Early Renaissance background, Morality plays, Sir Philip Sidney''''s Sonnets, Prose and poetry of the period |
| MEL 102 | Shakespeare | Core | 4 | Shakespearean tragedies (Hamlet, Othello), Comedies (As You Like It, Twelfth Night), Historical plays, Sonnets, Elizabethan theatre and dramatic conventions, Language and verse of Shakespeare |
| MEL 103 | History of English Literature (From Old English Period to 1798) | Core | 4 | Old English Period (Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon poetry), Middle English Period (Age of Chaucer, Romances), Renaissance (Elizabethan, Jacobean), Puritan and Restoration Ages, Augustan Age (Neoclassicism), Pre-Romanticism and Sensibility |
| MEL 104 | Literary Theory and Criticism (From Classical to Romantic Period) | Core | 4 | Plato''''s Poetics, Aristotle''''s Poetics, Longinus'''' On the Sublime, Sidney''''s An Apology for Poetry, Dryden''''s Essay of Dramatic Poesy, Wordsworth''''s Preface to Lyrical Ballads, Coleridge''''s Biographia Literaria, Major tenets of Classical and Romantic criticism |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEL 201 | The 17th and 18th Century English Literature | Core | 4 | John Milton (Paradise Lost), John Dryden, Alexander Pope (Rape of the Lock), Jonathan Swift (Gulliver''''s Travels), Samuel Johnson, Restoration Comedy, Rise of the Novel (Defoe, Richardson, Fielding), Age of Sensibility |
| MEL 202 | The Romantic Literature | Core | 4 | William Blake, William Wordsworth, S.T. Coleridge, Lord Byron, P.B. Shelley, John Keats, Romantic poetry characteristics and themes, Gothic novel and its impact, Essays of Charles Lamb and William Hazlitt, Social and political context of Romanticism |
| MEL 203 | History of English Literature (1798 to Modern Period) | Core | 4 | Victorian Age (Tennyson, Browning, Arnold), Pre-Raphaelites, Aestheticism, Decadence, Modernism (early 20th century poetry, drama, novel), Post-War Literature, Absurdism, Postmodernism and its characteristics, Contemporary literary trends |
| MEL 204 | Literary Theory and Criticism (From Victorian to Post-Structuralism) | Core | 4 | Matthew Arnold''''s theory of culture, T.S. Eliot''''s Tradition and the Individual Talent, I.A. Richards, F.R. Leavis, New Criticism, Structuralism (Saussure, Barthes), Post-Structuralism (Derrida, Foucault), Reader-Response Theory, Psychoanalytic Criticism |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEL 301 | Victorian Literature | Core | 4 | Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning, Matthew Arnold, Charles Dickens (Hard Times), William Thackeray, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy (Jude the Obscure), Victorian social issues, Science vs. Religion, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Fin de Siècle literature, Victorian novel characteristics |
| MEL 302 | Modern and Post-Modern Literature | Core | 4 | W.B. Yeats, T.S. Eliot (The Waste Land), Virginia Woolf (To the Lighthouse), James Joyce, Samuel Beckett (Waiting for Godot), Post-War drama and fiction, Characteristics of Modernism and Postmodernism, Stream of consciousness, Absurdism |
| MEL 303 | American Literature | Core | 4 | Transcendentalism (Emerson, Whitman), Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Henry James, Modern American Novel (Faulkner, Hemingway), Harlem Renaissance, African American Literature, Contemporary American drama and poetry |
| MEL 304 | Indian English Literature | Elective | 4 | Origins and development of Indian English writing, Raja Rao, R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Nayantara Sahgal, Kamala Markandaya, Contemporary Indian novelists (Rushdie, Roy), Indian English poetry (Tagore, Parthasarathy), Diaspora and post-colonial Indian writing |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEL 401 | Contemporary British Literature | Core | 4 | Post-1945 British fiction (Golding, Lessing, McEwan), Contemporary British drama (Pinter, Stoppard), Poetry of the latter half of 20th century, Multiculturalism in British Literature, Northern Irish Literature, Feminist and LGBTQ+ voices in contemporary Britain |
| MEL 402 | Research Methodology and Dissertation | Core/Project | 4 | Types of research (qualitative, quantitative), Research design and formulation of hypothesis, Data collection methods in literary studies, Application of literary theories in research, Academic writing and style guides (MLA/APA), Dissertation writing, viva-voce, presentation skills |
| MEL 403 | Postcolonial Studies | Elective | 4 | Theories of Postcolonialism (Said, Spivak, Bhabha), Colonial discourse and representation, Nationalism and resistance literature, Diaspora, migration, and hybridity, Subaltern studies, Gender and postcolonialism, Key postcolonial texts and authors |
| MEL 404 | Women''''s Writing | Elective | 4 | Feminist literary criticism and theory, Major women writers across periods, Representation of women in literature, Themes of identity, agency, patriarchy, Madness and the female body in literature, Intersections of gender, class, and race |
