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MA in English at Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA)
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
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About the Specialization
What is English at Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) Thanjavur?
This M.A. English program at Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy focuses on a comprehensive study of literature and language, blending classical and contemporary theories. It emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and cultural understanding, catering to India''''s growing demand for nuanced literary analysis and effective communication professionals across various sectors.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for English literature graduates, aspiring academicians, researchers, and content creators seeking advanced literary insights. It also suits working professionals in publishing, media, or education looking to upskill with advanced critical and analytical competencies, preparing them for diverse intellectual and creative roles in the Indian landscape.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in teaching, academia, research, content writing, publishing, and media. Entry-level salaries for MA English graduates in India typically range from INR 3-6 lakhs per annum, with significant growth potential into senior roles based on experience and specialization within academic or corporate fields.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Literary Foundations- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on understanding historical literary periods, genres, and foundational theories. Actively engage in extensive reading beyond prescribed texts to broaden knowledge and context. Join literary clubs for discussions and peer learning.
Tools & Resources
SASTRA Library resources, online literary databases (JSTOR, Project Gutenberg), literary discussion forums
Career Connection
Develops analytical and interpretive skills crucial for academic research, content creation, and teaching professions.
Hone Academic & Presentation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Prioritize mastering academic writing for essays and research papers, adhering to citation styles like MLA. Actively participate in class presentations, seeking feedback to improve public speaking and communication skills, essential for professional roles.
Tools & Resources
SASTRA Writing Centre, online guides for MLA/APA, presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides), peer review groups
Career Connection
Equips students for research publications, conference presentations, and effective communication in corporate or academic environments.
Develop Foundational Research Acumen- (Semester 1-2)
Engage early with research methodology concepts learned in courses. Practice identifying research problems, conducting literature reviews, and structuring arguments. Participate in minor research projects or departmental essay competitions to apply these skills.
Tools & Resources
SASTRA research guides, academic databases, reference managers (Mendeley, Zotero), faculty mentorship
Career Connection
Establishes a strong base for dissertation work, future research endeavors, and analytical roles in any industry.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize Through Electives and Projects- (Semester 3)
Carefully choose electives that align with career interests (e.g., Film Studies for media, Technical Writing for corporate communication). Approach Project-I as an opportunity to deep-dive into a specific literary area, preparing for the dissertation.
Tools & Resources
Faculty advisors for elective selection, research databases, project proposal templates, SASTRA''''s research labs/centers
Career Connection
Narrows down expertise, making students more attractive for specialized roles in media, publishing, or specific academic fields.
Engage with Contemporary Literary Theories- (Semester 3)
Beyond coursework, explore advanced literary theories (e.g., Postcolonialism, Ecocriticism, Gender Studies) through seminars, workshops, and independent reading. Apply these frameworks to analyze diverse texts and current societal issues.
Tools & Resources
Online courses (Coursera, edX), academic journals, departmental reading groups, guest lectures by scholars
Career Connection
Cultivates critical and interdisciplinary thinking, highly valued in academia, think tanks, and content strategy roles.
Expand Professional Network- (Semester 3)
Attend departmental events, guest lectures, and national/international literary conferences. Connect with faculty, visiting scholars, and peers. Seek out mentorship opportunities to gain insights into academic and industry careers.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, conference websites, SASTRA alumni network, faculty office hours
Career Connection
Opens doors to internships, collaborative research, and future employment opportunities through referrals and direct contacts.
Advanced Stage
Excel in Dissertation Research- (Semester 4)
Dedicate significant time to the dissertation, focusing on original research, rigorous argumentation, and impeccable academic writing. Regularly consult with advisors and utilize SASTRA''''s research support services for successful completion.
Tools & Resources
SASTRA Research Support, plagiarism detection tools (Turnitin), statistical software (if applicable), writing workshops
Career Connection
The dissertation is a capstone, demonstrating advanced research capability, critical thinking, and independent work, crucial for PhD admissions and high-level research roles.
Develop Teaching and Pedagogy Skills- (Semester 4)
For those interested in academia, explore English Language Teaching (ELT) methodologies. Seek opportunities for teaching assistantships or peer tutoring within SASTRA to gain practical pedagogical experience and understand classroom dynamics.
Tools & Resources
ELT textbooks, online teaching resources, departmental teaching workshops, mentorship from experienced faculty
Career Connection
Directly prepares students for teaching positions in colleges, universities, and language training institutes in India and abroad.
Strategic Career Planning and Placement Preparation- (Semester 4)
Actively engage with SASTRA''''s placement cell for resume building, interview preparation, and mock interviews. Explore diverse job opportunities in academia, content development, editing, and media, leveraging the program''''s multidisciplinary strengths.
Tools & Resources
SASTRA Placement Cell, career counseling services, online job portals (Naukri, LinkedIn), alumni career panels
Career Connection
Ensures readiness for the job market, helping graduates secure desired positions quickly and effectively post-graduation.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor''''s degree in English Literature or any other Bachelor''''s degree with English as one of the subjects offered by a recognized University, with a minimum of 50% marks.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENLT 501 | History of English Language & Literary Forms | Core | 4 | Indo-European Family of Languages, Old and Middle English Literature, Early Modern English Language, Modern English Development, Poetic Forms and Devices, Drama, Fiction and Prose Forms |
| ENLT 502 | Literary Criticism and Theory - I | Core | 4 | Classical Criticism (Plato, Aristotle), Neo-Classical Criticism (Dryden, Johnson), Romantic Criticism (Wordsworth, Coleridge), Modern Criticism Foundations, Structuralism, Deconstruction and Post-Structuralism |
| ENLT 503 | Indian English Literature | Core | 4 | Genesis of Indian English Writing, Indian English Poetry, Indian English Fiction, Indian English Drama, Contemporary Trends and Voices, Diaspora and Post-Colonial Themes |
| ENLT 504 | Research Methodology | Core | 4 | Fundamentals of Research, Types of Research Design, Data Collection and Analysis, Research Writing and Documentation, Plagiarism and Research Ethics, Thesis and Dissertation Preparation |
| ENSK 501 | Presentation Skills | Soft Skill | 2 | Elements of Effective Presentation, Structuring and Organizing Content, Effective Delivery and Body Language, Using Visual Aids, Handling Questions and Audience Interaction, Professional Communication Strategies |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENLT 505 | British Literature (14th - 18th Century) | Core | 4 | Chaucer and Medieval Literature, Renaissance Drama (Shakespeare), Metaphysical and Cavalier Poetry, Restoration Comedy and Satire, Augustan Age Poetry and Prose, Rise of the Novel |
| ENLT 506 | Literary Criticism and Theory - II | Core | 4 | Russian Formalism, New Criticism, Reader-Response Theories, Marxist Literary Criticism, Feminist Literary Criticism, Postcolonial Theory and Praxis, Cultural Studies |
| ENLT 507 | American Literature | Core | 4 | Puritan and Colonial American Writing, American Romanticism and Transcendentalism, Modernist American Poetry, 20th Century American Novel, African-American Literature, Contemporary American Voices |
| ENLT 508 | World Literature | Core | 4 | European Masterpieces, African Literary Traditions, Latin American Narratives, East Asian Literary Forms, Nobel Prize Winners in Literature, Comparative Literary Perspectives |
| ENSK 502 | Academic Writing | Soft Skill | 2 | Principles of Academic Writing, Essay and Research Paper Structures, Citation Styles (MLA, APA), Avoiding Plagiarism and Referencing, Abstract and Synopsis Writing, Thesis and Dissertation Proposal |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENLT 601 | British Literature (19th - 20th Century) | Core | 4 | Romantic Period Poetry and Prose, Victorian Age Literature, Modernist Movements, Post-War British Fiction, Contemporary British Drama, Critical Approaches to 19th-20th Century Texts |
| ENLT 602 | Postcolonial Studies | Core | 4 | Colonialism and its Legacies, Postcolonial Theory and Theorists, Orientalism and othering, Subaltern Studies, Hybridity and Diaspora, African and Caribbean Voices, South Asian Postcolonial Perspectives |
| ENEL 603 | Canadian Literature | Elective | 4 | Canadian Identity and Nationalism, Wilderness and Landscape Themes, Multiculturalism and Diversity, Indigenous Voices and Perspectives, Canadian Poetry and Fiction, Literary Movements in Canada |
| ENEL 604 | New Literatures in English | Elective | 4 | Anglophone Literatures, Caribbean Writing, African Writing, Australian Literature, New Zealand Literature, Post-colonial Contexts and Voices |
| ENEL 605 | Ecocriticism | Elective | 4 | Environmental Literary Studies, Nature Writing and Pastoral Tradition, Ecocritical Theory, Anthropocene and Climate Change Narratives, Ecofeminism, Environmental Justice and Ethics |
| ENEL 606 | Dalit Literature | Elective | 4 | Dalit Identity and Experience, Caste System and Social Exclusion, Protest Literature and Activism, Autobiographical Narratives (Jeevan Charitra), Marathi Dalit Literature, Regional Dalit Voices and Translation |
| ENEL 607 | Film Studies | Elective | 4 | History of Cinema, Film Theory and Criticism, Film Genres and Movements, Auteurs and Filmmaking Styles, Indian Cinema (Bollywood, Regional), Documentary and Experimental Film |
| ENEL 608 | Disability Studies | Elective | 4 | Models of Disability (Medical, Social), Representation of Disability in Literature, Disability Activism and Rights Movements, Inclusive Education and Policy, Caregiving Narratives and Ethics, Intersectionality of Disability and Identity |
| ENEL 609 | Translation Studies | Elective | 4 | Theories of Translation, Types of Translation (Literary, Technical), Cultural Translation and Equivalence, Translating Poetry and Prose, Adaptation and Transcreation, Machine Translation and Digital Tools |
| ENEL 610 | Folklore and Oral Traditions | Elective | 4 | Theories of Folklore, Myths, Legends, and Folktales, Oral Narratives and Storytelling, Performance Studies and Rituals, Indian Folklore and Regional Traditions, Folklore and Cultural Identity |
| ENLT 60P | Project - I | Project | 4 | Project Formulation and Topic Selection, Extensive Literature Review, Research Design and Methodology, Data Collection and Analysis, Interim Report Writing, Project Presentation Skills |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENLT 603 | English Language Teaching | Core | 4 | Principles of ELT, Language Acquisition Theories, Teaching Methodologies (Communicative, Task-Based), Classroom Management Techniques, Materials Development for ELT, Language Assessment and Evaluation |
| ENLT 604 | Gender Studies | Core | 4 | Gender as a Social Construct, Feminist Theories and Movements, Masculinities Studies, Queer Theory, Gender and Media Representation, Gender in the Indian Context |
| ENEL 611 | Children''''s Literature | Elective | 4 | History of Children''''s Literature, Genres in Children''''s Literature, Picture Books and Early Readers, Adolescent and Young Adult Fiction, Moral Education and Values, Indian Children''''s Literature |
| ENEL 612 | Media and Communication Studies | Elective | 4 | Media Theories and Models, Mass Communication Processes, Journalism and News Reporting, Digital Media and Social Networks, Media Ethics and Regulations, Advertising and Public Relations |
| ENEL 613 | Technical Writing | Elective | 4 | Principles of Technical Communication, Audience Analysis and Document Design, Technical Reports and Proposals, User Manuals and Instructions, Online Documentation and Help Systems, Editing and Proofreading Technical Content |
| ENEL 614 | English for Specific Purposes (ESP) | Elective | 4 | Needs Analysis in ESP, Course Design and Syllabus Development, ESP for Business and Commerce, ESP for Science and Technology, ESP for Law and Medicine, Assessment in ESP |
| ENSS 601 | Self Study | Core | 4 | Independent Learning Strategies, Advanced Research Skill Development, Literature Review on a Chosen Topic, Critical Analysis of Specialized Texts, Self-Paced Academic Exploration, Presentation of Self-Learned Concepts |
| ENLT 60S | Dissertation | Project | 8 | Original Research Problem Identification, Extensive Literature Review and Gap Analysis, Advanced Research Methodology, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Thesis Writing and Structuring, Oral Defense (Viva Voce) Preparation |
