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BA in English at Serampore College
Hooghly, West Bengal
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About the Specialization
What is English at Serampore College Hooghly?
This English program at Serampore College, affiliated with the University of Calcutta, focuses on a comprehensive study of literature from various periods and cultures, alongside critical theory and communication skills. It aims to develop advanced analytical, critical, and interpretive abilities among students. The program addresses the increasing demand for strong communicators and critical thinkers in India''''s diverse professional landscape, offering a robust foundation in literary and cultural studies.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a keen interest in literature, language, and cultural studies, aspiring to careers in teaching, journalism, publishing, content creation, or civil services. It also suits individuals seeking to enhance their critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills for higher education or professional roles that demand strong verbal and written proficiency.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as educators, content writers, editors, journalists, public relations specialists, and competitive exam aspirants. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 LPA to 4.5 LPA, with significant growth potential in publishing, media, and academic sectors. The strong foundational skills are also beneficial for pursuing an MA in English or other humanities, or MBA programs.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Reading and Comprehension Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with prescribed texts, actively highlight and annotate, and regularly summarize complex literary passages. Utilize online literary resources like SparkNotes for plot and character analysis, but always prioritize original text comprehension. Form small reading groups to discuss interpretations and clarify doubts, enhancing understanding of diverse classical and Indian literary contexts.
Tools & Resources
Course textbooks, Online literary databases (JSTOR, Project Gutenberg for classics), Reading groups, Library resources
Career Connection
Develops critical thinking and analytical skills, essential for any future career requiring in-depth information processing and concise articulation, such as content writing or academic research.
Master Academic Writing and Communication- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on developing clear, structured, and grammatically correct academic essays. Practice different forms of writing such as argumentative essays, literary analysis, and reviews. Seek feedback from professors and peers on assignments and actively participate in communication-focused AECC courses. Utilize tools like Grammarly and Purdue OWL for refining writing style and citation practices.
Tools & Resources
Grammarly, Purdue OWL, College writing center (if available), Peer review sessions
Career Connection
Crucial for success in higher education, content creation, journalism, and any professional role demanding effective written communication, giving a competitive edge in job applications.
Explore Indian Literary and Cultural Contexts- (Semester 1-2)
Beyond the syllabus, actively seek out contemporary Indian authors, literary journals, and cultural events. Attend local poetry slams, book readings, and theatre productions. This broadens understanding of the rich Indian literary landscape and its relevance to the ''''Indian Writing in English'''' papers. Engage in discussions about post-colonial perspectives and local narratives.
Tools & Resources
Local libraries, Literary festivals (e.g., Kolkata Literary Meet), Online Indian literary magazines, Cultural societies in college
Career Connection
Provides unique insights valuable for roles in Indian media, publishing, cultural heritage organizations, and content development targeting Indian audiences, enhancing cultural sensitivity and contextual awareness.
Intermediate Stage
Engage with Literary Theories and Criticism- (Semester 3-5)
Begin exploring different schools of literary criticism (Feminist, Marxist, Postcolonial, Structuralism) as introduced in core courses. Apply these theoretical frameworks to analyze texts beyond what''''s taught in class. Join a literary society or debate club to hone your argumentative skills and discuss complex literary concepts. Actively seek to understand how these theories shape interpretation.
Tools & Resources
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (for theory overviews), College literary societies, Academic journals accessible via library, Critical theory textbooks
Career Connection
Develops advanced analytical and critical reasoning skills, highly valued in research, academia, and any profession requiring complex problem-solving and nuanced understanding, such as policy analysis or strategic communication.
Participate in Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC) and Workshops- (Semester 3-5)
Actively choose SEC subjects like Creative Writing, Academic Writing, or Translation Studies and dedicate time to practical application. Attend college-organized workshops on public speaking, professional communication, or digital content creation. Use these opportunities to build a portfolio of your creative or analytical work. Explore platforms like Medium or local college magazines to publish your writings.
Tools & Resources
Medium.com, College magazines/yearbooks, Department workshops, Online writing communities
Career Connection
Directly builds marketable skills for creative industries (content writing, scriptwriting), publishing (editing, translation), and education, providing tangible evidence of abilities for potential employers.
Network and Seek Mentorship- (Semester 3-5)
Connect with faculty members, alumni, and professionals in fields of interest (journalism, publishing, teaching). Attend career fairs and guest lectures to understand industry trends and potential roles. Seek opportunities for mentorship, whether formal or informal, to gain insights into career paths and develop a professional network that can open doors to internships and job opportunities.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Alumni network events, Department career guidance cells, Industry professionals
Career Connection
Facilitates internships, offers career guidance, and creates opportunities for referrals and early career breaks in competitive fields, crucial for navigating the Indian job market.
Advanced Stage
Undertake Research Projects and Dissertations- (Semester 6)
Proactively identify areas of interest within literature and pursue independent research projects, especially if the curriculum offers dissertation options. Work closely with a faculty mentor to develop a strong thesis, conduct thorough research, and produce a high-quality academic paper. This showcases your specialized knowledge and research aptitude.
Tools & Resources
University library databases, Academic software (e.g., Zotero for referencing), Faculty mentors, Research methodology guides
Career Connection
Prepares students for advanced academic pursuits (MA, PhD) and roles in research organizations, policy think tanks, and content strategy where deep analytical and investigative skills are paramount.
Focus on Career-Oriented Electives and Internships- (Semester 6)
Strategically choose Discipline Specific Electives (DSEs) that align with your career aspirations (e.g., if aiming for publishing, choose courses on contemporary literature; for teaching, focus on literary theory). Actively seek internships in media houses, publishing firms, NGOs, or educational institutions to gain practical experience and apply academic knowledge in a professional setting. Convert these internships into potential pre-placement offers.
Tools & Resources
Internshala, Naukri.com (for entry-level internships), College placement cell, Company websites
Career Connection
Directly enhances employability, provides real-world experience, helps build a professional network, and often leads to full-time employment opportunities post-graduation in India.
Prepare for Post-Graduation and Competitive Exams- (Semester 6)
For those aiming for higher studies (MA in English, Journalism, Mass Communication) or competitive exams (UPSC, NET/SET), begin dedicated preparation. This involves extensive revision of literary history and theory, current affairs, and general knowledge. Utilize online coaching platforms and mock tests. Develop strong essay writing skills for descriptive papers, drawing on your literary background.
Tools & Resources
Online coaching platforms (Unacademy, BYJU''''S for competitive exams), Mock test series, Previous year question papers, Reference books for General Knowledge
Career Connection
Ensures readiness for postgraduate admissions or securing coveted government jobs and academic positions in India, leveraging the analytical and communication strengths gained from the English program.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- 10+2 (HS) or equivalent with 50% in aggregate and 45% in English, OR 55% in English in the qualifying examination (as per University of Calcutta norms followed by Serampore College)
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: 140 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-1 | Environmental Studies | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies, Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-renewable, Ecosystems: Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation: Threats and Strategies, Environmental Pollution: Causes, Effects, Control Measures, Human Population and Environment: Population Growth, Family Welfare |
| ENGA-CC-1 | European Classical Literature | Core Course | 6 | Homer: The Iliad (Book I, II, VI, IX, XVIII, XXII, XXIV), Sophocles: Oedipus Rex, Plato: Symposium (Allegory of the Cave, Books VII-X of The Republic), Horace: Ars Poetica, Ovid: Metamorphoses (Selections) |
| ENGA-CC-2 | Indian Writing in English | Core Course | 6 | Rabindranath Tagore: Gitanjali (Selected Poems), Mulk Raj Anand: Untouchable, Raja Rao: Kanthapura, A.K. Ramanujan: Selected Poems (e.g., ''''Small-Scale Reflections on a Great House'''', ''''A River''''), Girish Karnad: Tughlaq |
| GE-1 | Generic Elective - I (from another discipline) | Generic Elective | 6 |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-2 | English Communication / MIL Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Theory of Communication: Types, Modes, Barriers, Reading Skills: Skimming, Scanning, Inferring, Writing Skills: Paragraph, Essay, Report Writing, Speaking Skills: Presentation, Group Discussion, Listening Skills: Active Listening, Note-taking |
| ENGA-CC-3 | British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries | Core Course | 6 | Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales (General Prologue), Edmund Spenser: Prothalamion, William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, John Donne: Selected Poems (''''The Sunne Rising'''', ''''Canonization''''), John Milton: Paradise Lost (Book I) |
| ENGA-CC-4 | British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th Centuries | Core Course | 6 | John Dryden: Mac Flecknoe, Alexander Pope: The Rape of the Lock, William Congreve: The Way of the World, Jonathan Swift: Gulliver''''s Travels (Book I), Samuel Johnson: Rasselas |
| GE-2 | Generic Elective - II (from another discipline) | Generic Elective | 6 |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-5 | British Romantic Literature | Core Course | 6 | William Wordsworth: Lyrical Ballads (Preface, Selected Poems), S.T. Coleridge: Kubla Khan, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Lord Byron: Don Juan (Canto I), P.B. Shelley: Odes (''''Ode to the West Wind''''), John Keats: Odes (''''Ode on a Grecian Urn'''', ''''Ode to a Nightingale''''), Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice |
| ENGA-CC-6 | British Literature: 18th Century | Core Course | 6 | Daniel Defoe: Robinson Crusoe, Henry Fielding: Tom Jones (Selections), Laurence Sterne: Tristram Shandy (Selections), Oliver Goldsmith: She Stoops to Conquer, Richard Brinsley Sheridan: The School for Scandal |
| ENGA-CC-7 | British Literature: 19th Century | Core Course | 6 | Charles Dickens: Great Expectations, Emily Brontë: Wuthering Heights, Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Ulysses, Robert Browning: My Last Duchess, Porphyria''''s Lover, Matthew Arnold: Dover Beach |
| SEC-1 | Academic Writing and Composition | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Introduction to Academic Writing, Paragraph Writing: Cohesion and Coherence, Essay Writing: Structure and Argumentation, Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences, Research and Referencing: MLA/APA styles, Paraphrasing and Summarizing |
| GE-3 | Generic Elective - III (from another discipline) | Generic Elective | 6 |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-8 | British Literature: The Early 20th Century | Core Course | 6 | Joseph Conrad: Heart of Darkness, D.H. Lawrence: Sons and Lovers, T.S. Eliot: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, W.B. Yeats: Selected Poems (e.g., ''''The Second Coming''''), Virginia Woolf: Mrs Dalloway |
| ENGA-CC-9 | Modern European Drama | Core Course | 6 | Henrik Ibsen: A Doll''''s House, George Bernard Shaw: Pygmalion, Samuel Beckett: Waiting for Godot, Bertolt Brecht: Mother Courage and Her Children, Anton Chekhov: The Cherry Orchard |
| ENGA-CC-10 | Postcolonial Literatures | Core Course | 6 | Chinua Achebe: Things Fall Apart, Ngugi wa Thiong''''o: Decolonising the Mind, Salman Rushdie: Midnight''''s Children (Selections), Derek Walcott: A Far Cry from Africa, Gabriel Garcia Marquez: One Hundred Years of Solitude (Selections) |
| SEC-2 | Creative Writing | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Introduction to Creative Writing: Imagination and Expression, Elements of Storytelling: Plot, Character, Setting, Poetic Forms: Rhyme, Meter, Imagery, Dialogue Writing and Character Voice, Script Writing: Basics for stage/screen, Writing for Different Genres: Short Story, Poetry, Play |
| GE-4 | Generic Elective - IV (from another discipline) | Generic Elective | 6 |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-11 | Women''''s Writing | Core Course | 6 | Virginia Woolf: A Room of One''''s Own, Alice Walker: The Color Purple, Sylvia Plath: Ariel (Selected Poems), Kamala Das: My Story, Mahasweta Devi: Draupadi |
| ENGA-CC-12 | Literary Criticism | Core Course | 6 | Plato: On Poesis (from Republic), Aristotle: Poetics, Samuel Johnson: Preface to Shakespeare, William Wordsworth: Preface to Lyrical Ballads, T.S. Eliot: Tradition and the Individual Talent |
| ENGA-DSE-1 | Discipline Specific Elective - I (Option: Modern Indian Writing in English Translation) | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Dharamshekar: The Cycle of Seasons, Munshi Premchand: The Shroud, Ismat Chughtai: The Quilt, Mahasweta Devi: Breast-Giver, O.V. Vijayan: The Legends of Khasak |
| ENGA-DSE-2 | Discipline Specific Elective - II (Option: Literary Theory) | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Structuralism and Post-structuralism, Feminist Criticism, Marxist Criticism, New Criticism, Postcolonial Theory |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGA-CC-13 | American Literature | Core Course | 6 | Ralph Waldo Emerson: Self-Reliance, Walt Whitman: Song of Myself (Selections), Emily Dickinson: Selected Poems, Mark Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby |
| ENGA-CC-14 | Popular Literature | Core Course | 6 | Lewis Carroll: Alice in Wonderland, Agatha Christie: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Arthur Conan Doyle: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Philosopher''''s Stone, Comic Books and Graphic Novels: Introduction |
| ENGA-DSE-3 | Discipline Specific Elective - III (Option: Contemporary Literature) | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid''''s Tale, Kazuo Ishiguro: The Remains of the Day, J.M. Coetzee: Disgrace, Jhumpa Lahiri: Interpreter of Maladies, Hanif Kureishi: The Buddha of Suburbia |
| ENGA-DSE-4 | Discipline Specific Elective - IV (Option: Literature for Children and Young Adults) | Discipline Specific Elective | 6 | History and Evolution of Children''''s Literature, Classic Children''''s Texts: Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh, Young Adult Fiction: Themes and Authors, Picture Books and Early Readers, Adaptations and Media for Young Audiences |
