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BA-HONOURS in English at Shyam Lal College
Delhi, Delhi
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About the Specialization
What is English at Shyam Lal College Delhi?
This BA Honours English program at Shyam Lal College, affiliated with the University of Delhi, offers a comprehensive exploration of literature, language, and critical theory. Focusing on diverse literary traditions from classical to contemporary, the curriculum fosters analytical thinking and strong communication skills. In the Indian context, this specialization is highly relevant for careers in education, media, publishing, and content creation, industries experiencing significant growth.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a keen interest in literature, language, and critical analysis, aspiring to careers requiring advanced communication and interpretive abilities. It also suits individuals passionate about cultural studies, creative writing, and academic research. Students with a strong academic record in English language and literature are particularly well-suited, as it demands rigorous engagement with complex texts and theoretical frameworks.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as content writers, editors, journalists, public relations specialists, teachers, and researchers. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing significantly with experience. The program equips students with advanced analytical and communication skills, highly valued across various sectors, preparing them for postgraduate studies or competitive examinations for civil services.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Cultivate Critical Reading Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Engage actively with all prescribed texts. Don''''t just read for plot; analyze literary devices, themes, and historical context. Maintain a reading journal to document insights, challenging questions, and personal reflections on the texts. This builds foundational analytical skills essential for higher-level studies.
Tools & Resources
Annotated editions of classics, Literary theory glossaries, Online academic databases like JSTOR (accessible via college library)
Career Connection
Enhances comprehension and analytical prowess, crucial for any role requiring deep understanding and interpretation of complex information, such as journalism or content strategy.
Master Academic Essay Writing- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on structuring arguments logically, using evidence effectively, and adhering to academic citation styles (MLA/APA). Seek regular feedback from professors on essay drafts to refine writing, clarity, and analytical depth, moving beyond mere description to persuasive argumentation.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL, Grammarly, College writing center workshops, Peer review groups
Career Connection
Develops strong written communication skills, indispensable for professional reports, proposals, and any form of formal writing in corporate or academic settings.
Engage in Interdisciplinary Exploration- (Semester 1-2)
While specializing in English, take advantage of Generic Electives (GEs) to explore subjects like History, Political Science, or Psychology. This broadens your perspective, enriches your understanding of literary contexts, and provides diverse analytical frameworks that can inform your literary studies.
Tools & Resources
DU''''s list of GE courses, Library resources on related subjects, University seminars
Career Connection
Fosters holistic thinking and adaptability, making you a versatile candidate for roles that require understanding complex societal issues and varied viewpoints.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Literary Theory and Criticism- (Semester 3-5)
Dive deep into various critical theories (feminist, postcolonial, Marxist, etc.). Apply these theoretical lenses to texts, understanding how different perspectives shape interpretation. Participate in departmental seminars and discussions to articulate and defend your theoretical positions.
Tools & Resources
Critical theory anthologies, Online literary journals, Academic workshops
Career Connection
Develops advanced critical thinking and research skills, preparing for academic research, nuanced content analysis, or roles in cultural policy.
Cultivate Creative Writing Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Beyond academic essays, dedicate time to creative writing (poetry, short stories, drama). Join college literary societies, participate in writing competitions, and attend workshops. Experiment with different styles and genres to enhance your expressive capabilities.
Tools & Resources
College literary clubs, National writing contests, Online creative writing platforms
Career Connection
Essential for careers in publishing, journalism, advertising, scriptwriting, and any field requiring original content generation.
Seek Publishing and Media Internships- (Semester 3-5)
Actively look for internships during semester breaks with publishing houses, media organizations, digital content companies, or NGOs working in communication. This practical exposure helps connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications and builds a professional network.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, Online internship portals (Internshala, LinkedIn), Faculty contacts
Career Connection
Provides invaluable industry experience, strengthens your resume, and often leads to pre-placement offers or crucial networking for future job searches.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Substantive Research Project- (Semester 6-8)
For those pursuing the research track, engage thoroughly with the dissertation/research project. Choose a topic of genuine interest, conduct exhaustive literature reviews, master research methodologies, and produce a high-quality academic paper. Present your findings at college-level conferences.
Tools & Resources
College library''''s research databases, Faculty mentors, Academic writing guides
Career Connection
Develops independent research and analytical skills, critical for academia, policy analysis, strategic consulting, and advanced professional roles.
Network with Alumni and Industry Professionals- (Semester 6-8)
Leverage the college''''s alumni network and participate in career fairs and industry talks. Connect with professionals in publishing, journalism, education, and content creation. Informational interviews can provide insights into various career paths and potential mentorship opportunities.
Tools & Resources
College alumni association, LinkedIn, Professional networking events
Career Connection
Crucial for job searching, identifying hidden opportunities, and gaining mentorship that can significantly influence career trajectory and growth.
Prepare for Competitive Examinations/Higher Studies- (Semester 6-8)
If aiming for civil services (UPSC), banking, or postgraduate studies (MA English, Journalism, Mass Communication, Law), begin targeted preparation. Utilize the strong foundation in language, critical thinking, and general knowledge gained from the BA Hons English program for these competitive paths.
Tools & Resources
Coaching institutes, Online study materials, Previous year''''s papers, University admission guides
Career Connection
Direct pathway to high-impact government roles, prestigious academic careers, or specialized professional fields, capitalizing on the program''''s intellectual rigor.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Passed Class XII examination from any recognized Board/University, with minimum aggregate percentage as per University of Delhi admission guidelines.
Duration: 4 years (8 semesters)
Credits: 176 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-1 | Indian Classical Literature | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Ancient Indian Literary Traditions, Sanskrit Poetics and Aesthetics, Epic and Dramatic Forms, Key Texts like Mahabharata, Kalidasa''''s Shakuntala |
| DSC-2 | European Classical Literature | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Greek and Roman Epic Poetry, Classical Tragedy and Comedy, Plato and Aristotle''''s Philosophy, Concepts of Rhetoric, Homer''''s Odyssey, Sophocles'''' Oedipus Rex |
| DSC-3 | Indian Writing in English | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Evolution of Indian English Novel, Poetry and Drama in English, Themes of Colonialism and Post-colonialism, Contemporary Indian English Voices, Major Indian English Authors |
| AEC-1 | English Language (Communication) | Ability Enhancement Course | 2 | Reading Comprehension, Grammar and Usage, Effective Writing Skills, Listening and Speaking Strategies, Formal and Informal Communication |
| VAC-1 | Constitutional Values and Fundamental Duties | Value Addition Course | 2 | Preamble to the Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental Duties of Citizens, Constitutionalism and Democracy |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-4 | British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Century | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Chaucer and Medieval Literature, Renaissance Poetry and Humanism, Elizabethan Drama (Marlowe, Shakespeare), Metaphysical Poets, Early Modern English Literature |
| DSC-5 | British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th Century | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Restoration Drama and Comedy of Manners, Neoclassical Poetics, Augustan Age Satire, Age of Enlightenment Literature, John Dryden, Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift |
| DSC-6 | British Fiction: 18th Century | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Rise of the Novel as a Genre, Epistolary and Sentimental Fiction, Gothic Novel Traditions, Realism and Morality in Fiction, Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding |
| AEC-2 | Environmental Science | Ability Enhancement Course | 2 | Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution, Climate Change and Global Warming, Sustainable Development Practices, Environmental Ethics and Policies |
| VAC-2 | Yoga: Philosophy and Practice | Value Addition Course | 2 | History and Philosophy of Yoga, Asanas and Pranayama Techniques, Meditation and Mindfulness, Health and Wellness Benefits, Yoga in Daily Life |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-7 | British Poetry and Drama: 18th Century | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Pre-Romantic and Romantic Poetry, Lyricism and Nature Poetry, Gothic Drama Elements, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge |
| DSC-8 | British Fiction and Prose: 19th Century | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Victorian Novel and Society, Realism and Naturalism, Social Critique in Fiction, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy |
| DSC-9 | American Literature | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Early American Narratives, Transcendentalism and Romanticism, American Gothic Literature, African American Voices, Major American Poets and Novelists |
| SEC-1 | Academic Writing and Composition | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Essay Structure and Argumentation, Research Paper Writing, Referencing and Citation Styles, Avoiding Plagiarism, Developing a Thesis Statement |
| GE-1 | Introduction to Political Theory (Example GE) | Generic Elective | 4 | Concepts of Liberty and Equality, Justice and Rights, Democracy and Citizenship, Political Ideologies, State and Government |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-10 | British Poetry and Drama: Early 20th Century | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Modernist Poetic Movements, War Poetry and its Impact, Absurdist and Experimental Drama, W.B. Yeats, T.S. Eliot, Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter |
| DSC-11 | British Fiction: Early 20th Century | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Modernist Novel Techniques, Stream of Consciousness, Psychological Realism, Dystopian Narratives, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, George Orwell |
| DSC-12 | Women’s Writing | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Feminist Literary Theory, Gender and Representation, Autobiographical Writing by Women, Themes of Domesticity and Identity, Major Women Writers across Cultures |
| SEC-2 | Creative Writing | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Elements of Fiction Writing, Poetry Forms and Techniques, Playwriting Basics, Dialogue and Character Development, Non-fiction Creative Writing |
| GE-2 | Principles of Microeconomics (Example GE) | Generic Elective | 4 | Demand and Supply Analysis, Consumer Behavior, Production and Costs, Market Structures, Economic Welfare and Efficiency |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-13 | Modern European Drama | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Realism and Naturalism in Theatre, Symbolist and Expressionist Drama, Theatre of the Absurd, Henrik Ibsen, Bertolt Brecht, Samuel Beckett, Jean-Paul Sartre |
| DSC-14 | Postcolonial Literatures | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Postcolonial Theory and Concepts, Themes of Identity and Displacement, Nationalism and Hybridity, Chinua Achebe, Salman Rushdie, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong''''o, Gayatri Spivak |
| DSE-1 (Choice A) | Literature and Cinema | Discipline Specific Elective | 4 | Adaptation of Literature to Film, Narrative Structures in Film, Visual Storytelling Techniques, Semiotics of Cinema, Literary Genres in Film |
| DSE-2 (Choice B) | Translation Studies | Discipline Specific Elective | 4 | Theories of Translation, Cultural Transfer in Translation, Linguistic Equivalence, Literary Translation Challenges, Role of Translator |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-15 | Literary Criticism | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Classical and Neoclassical Criticism, Romantic Criticism, New Criticism and Formalism, Structuralism and Post-structuralism, Reader-Response Theory |
| DSC-16 | Research Methodology | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Introduction to Research Design, Qualitative Research Methods, Academic Writing and Ethics, Literature Review Techniques, Citation and Referencing Styles |
| DSE-3 (Choice A) | Science Fiction and Detective Literature | Discipline Specific Elective | 4 | Evolution of Science Fiction, Utopian and Dystopian Themes, Conventions of Detective Fiction, Crime and Deduction Narratives, Social Commentary in Genre Fiction |
| DSE-4 (Choice B) | Partition Literature | Discipline Specific Elective | 4 | Historical Context of India''''s Partition, Themes of Trauma and Memory, Displacement and Refugee Experiences, Narratives of National Identity, Major Writers of Partition Literature |
Semester 7
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-17 | Contemporary Literature | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Globalisation and Transnationalism, Digital Age Literature, Contemporary Literary Forms, Interdisciplinary Approaches to Literature, New Voices in World Literature |
| DSC-18 | Critical Theory | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Marxist and Feminist Criticism, Postmodernism and Deconstruction, Queer Theory and Gender Studies, Ecocriticism and Environmental Humanities, Cultural Studies and Popular Culture |
| GE-3 | Psychology of Wellbeing (Example GE) | Generic Elective | 4 | Concepts of Happiness and Flourishing, Resilience and Coping Mechanisms, Mindfulness and Stress Reduction, Positive Emotions and Strengths, Wellbeing Interventions |
| GE-4 | Indian History: Delhi through the Ages (Example GE) | Generic Elective | 4 | Ancient and Medieval Delhi, Sultanate and Mughal Periods, Colonial Delhi and British Raj, Post-Independence Delhi, Urban Development and Heritage |
Semester 8
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-19 | World Literatures (Elective A) | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Global Literary Traditions, Comparative Literary Studies, Cross-Cultural Narratives, Literary Movements beyond the Anglophone, Translation and World Literature |
| DSC-20 | Media and Literature (Elective B) | Discipline Specific Core | 4 | Media Theories and Concepts, Print Culture and Literature, Digital Humanities and Literature, Literature in Popular Media, Adaptation Studies (Text to Screen) |
| DISSERTATION | Dissertation/Research Project | Research Component | 12 | Advanced Research Design, Extensive Literature Review, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Academic Writing and Formatting, Thesis Development and Presentation |
