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B-A-HONS in English at University of Delhi
Delhi, Delhi
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About the Specialization
What is English at University of Delhi Delhi?
This B.A. (Hons.) English program at the University of Delhi provides a comprehensive exploration of literary traditions, critical theories, and diverse forms of creative expression. It focuses on developing advanced analytical, interpretative, and communication skills, highly valued across various sectors in India. The program distinguishes itself by its rich historical scope, theoretical depth, and engagement with global literary contexts, catering to the growing demand for skilled communicators and content specialists in the Indian market.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a strong passion for literature, critical thinking, and a keen interest in language and communication. It suits individuals aspiring to careers in academia, journalism, content creation, publishing, advertising, and the civil services. Students seeking to enhance their analytical and expressive capabilities, or those aiming for further postgraduate studies in humanities and social sciences, will find this specialization particularly rewarding.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue diverse India-specific career paths such as content writers, editors, journalists, public relations specialists, teachers, researchers, and civil servants. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 lakhs per annum, with experienced professionals earning significantly more in corporate communication or academic roles. The strong foundation in critical thinking and communication also positions graduates for rapid growth trajectories in Indian media, publishing, and education companies.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Cultivate Active Reading and Critical Analysis- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with assigned texts, practice close reading, and develop critical perspectives beyond surface-level understanding. Participate actively in classroom discussions and tutorials to sharpen analytical skills.
Tools & Resources
University Library resources, Literary criticism journals, Peer study groups, Online academic databases like JSTOR
Career Connection
Strong analytical skills are foundational for any career requiring research, interpretation, and problem-solving, such as journalism, research, or content development.
Master Academic Writing and Research Basics- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on improving essay writing, argumentation, and basic research methodologies. Regularly practice academic writing, paying attention to structure, clarity, and proper citation formats.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab), DU Writing Centre (if available), Grammarly Premium, Referencing style guides (MLA/Chicago)
Career Connection
Proficiency in academic writing is crucial for research roles, technical writing, publishing, and any profession requiring formal written communication.
Engage with Literary and Cultural Societies- (Semester 1-2)
Join college literary societies, debate clubs, or cultural groups to foster a holistic understanding of arts and enhance public speaking and collaborative skills. Participate in poetry slams, book readings, and theatre productions.
Tools & Resources
College Literary Society, Dramatic Arts Society, Debate Club, National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) events in Delhi
Career Connection
Networking and developing presentation skills through these platforms are invaluable for careers in media, public relations, teaching, and cultural management.
Intermediate Stage
Explore Interdisciplinary Electives and Global Literature- (Semester 3-4)
Select Generic Electives from diverse fields to broaden perspectives and understand interconnections between literature and other disciplines. Dive into different world literatures beyond the core curriculum.
Tools & Resources
Other departmental course catalogs, Online open courses (Coursera, edX) on global literature, Literary festivals (e.g., Jaipur Literature Festival)
Career Connection
A broad intellectual base is highly attractive to employers in diverse fields like international relations, policy analysis, and cross-cultural communication roles.
Undertake Research Projects and Paper Presentations- (Semester 3-5)
Seek opportunities to work on small research projects with faculty or write papers for college fests and seminars. This helps in understanding academic rigor and presenting findings effectively.
Tools & Resources
Faculty mentorship, College research cells, Academic conferences for undergraduates, Presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides)
Career Connection
Developing research and presentation skills is vital for postgraduate studies, academic careers, and roles requiring strategic planning and reporting.
Begin Internship Exploration and Skill Specialization- (Semester 4-5)
Identify areas of interest within English Hons (e.g., content writing, editing, journalism, teaching) and start looking for relevant internships. Acquire specific skills through workshops or short courses.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, LinkedIn, Internshala, Online courses (e.g., Copywriting, SEO content), Professional networking events
Career Connection
Early internships provide practical exposure, build a professional network, and make graduates more employable in specific industry verticals like digital marketing or publishing.
Advanced Stage
Intensify Placement Preparation and Networking- (Semester 5-6)
Actively participate in placement workshops, mock interviews, and resume building sessions. Network with alumni and industry professionals through mentorship programs or informational interviews.
Tools & Resources
University Career Services, LinkedIn networking, Alumni association events, Interview preparation guides
Career Connection
Directly impacts securing desirable job opportunities by preparing students for the competitive job market and connecting them with potential employers.
Undertake a Comprehensive Dissertation/Major Project- (Semester 6)
Engage in a significant research project or dissertation under faculty guidance. This allows for in-depth exploration of a chosen literary area and demonstrates independent research capabilities.
Tools & Resources
Faculty supervisors, Advanced academic databases, Research methodology workshops, Thesis writing software (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley)
Career Connection
A strong dissertation is a key asset for higher studies (MA, M.Phil, PhD) and positions graduates for research-oriented roles in think tanks or academia.
Develop Advanced Communication and Leadership Skills- (Semester 5-6)
Take on leadership roles in college events, mentor junior students, and participate in advanced public speaking forums. Focus on refining persuasive communication and team management abilities.
Tools & Resources
Student council, Event organizing committees, Toastmasters International clubs (if available)
Career Connection
Leadership and advanced communication skills are crucial for managerial positions, public relations, advocacy, and any role requiring influence and effective team guidance.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Class XII (10+2) or equivalent with English as a compulsory subject, and other subjects as per University of Delhi Admission Bulletin and CUET (UG) requirements.
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Credits: 108 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-1 | Indian Classical Literature | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Sanskrit Drama, Classical Indian Poetics, Natyashastra, Kalidasa''''s Abhijnanasakuntalam, Sudraka''''s Mrcchakatika |
| DSC-2 | European Classical Literature | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Greek Epic, Roman Drama, Tragedy and Comedy, Homer''''s Iliad, Sophocles'''' Oedipus Rex |
| GE-1 | Academic Writing and Composition | Generic Elective (GE) | 4 | Fundamentals of Academic Writing, Essay Structure, Research Skills, Citations and Referencing, Argumentation |
| AEC-1 | Environmental Science | Ability Enhancement Course (AEC) | 2 | Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution, Climate Change, Sustainable Development |
| VAC-1 | Ethics and Culture | Value Addition Course (VAC) | 2 | Introduction to Ethics, Moral Philosophy, Cultural Diversity, Indian Ethical Traditions, Ethics in Everyday Life |
| SEC-1 | Communication in Everyday Life | Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) | 2 | Verbal and Non-verbal Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, Active Listening, Conflict Resolution |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-3 | Indian Writing in English | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Colonial and Post-colonial Writing, Major Indian English Authors, Themes of Identity and Nationhood, Aurobindo, Tagore, Premchand, R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand |
| DSC-4 | British Poetry and Drama: 14th-17th Centuries | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Chaucer and Medieval Poetry, Elizabethan Drama, Shakespearean Tragedy and Comedy, Metaphysical Poetry, John Milton''''s Paradise Lost |
| GE-2 | Literature and Cinema | Generic Elective (GE) | 4 | Adaptation Theory, Narrative Techniques in Film, Literary Sources for Cinema, Indian Cinema and Literature, Global Cinema Studies |
| AEC-2 | English Language | Ability Enhancement Course (AEC) | 2 | Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary Building, Reading Comprehension, Writing Skills, Public Speaking |
| VAC-2 | Constitutional Values and Fundamental Duties | Value Addition Course (VAC) | 2 | Indian Constitution, Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties |
| SEC-2 | Creative Writing | Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) | 2 | Elements of Fiction, Poetry Writing, Playwriting Basics, Journaling, Feedback and Revision |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-5 | British Poetry and Drama: 18th Century | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Augustan Age Literature, Satire and Mock-Epic, Age of Reason, Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, Restoration Comedy |
| DSC-6 | British Literature: The Early 19th Century | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Romanticism, Nature and Imagination, Individualism, William Wordsworth, S.T. Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats |
| DSC-7 | American Literature | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Transcendentalism, Realism and Naturalism, African American Literature, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald |
| GE-3 | Literatures of the Indian Diaspora | Generic Elective (GE) | 4 | Diaspora Studies, Migration and Identity, Narratives of Exile, Jhumpa Lahiri, V.S. Naipaul, Amitav Ghosh, Bharati Mukherjee |
| VAC-3 | Digital Empowerment | Value Addition Course (VAC) | 2 | Digital Literacy, Online Safety, E-governance, Digital Tools for Learning, Cyber Ethics |
| SEC-3 | Textual Analysis | Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) | 2 | Close Reading Techniques, Literary Devices, Genre Analysis, Critical Interpretations, Applying Literary Theories |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-8 | British Literature: The Mid-19th Century | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Victorian Age Literature, Industrial Revolution Impact, Realism and Social Criticism, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning |
| DSC-9 | Modern European Drama | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Theatre of the Absurd, Existentialist Drama, Social Realism in Theatre, Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov, Bertolt Brecht, Samuel Beckett |
| DSC-10 | Postcolonial Literatures | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Colonialism and Resistance, Hybridity and Subalternity, Decolonization Narratives, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong''''o, Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy |
| GE-4 | Contemporary India: Women and Empowerment | Generic Elective (GE) | 4 | Gender Studies, Women''''s Movements in India, Gender and Society, Legal Frameworks for Women, Challenges to Women''''s Empowerment |
| VAC-4 | Art and Culture | Value Addition Course (VAC) | 2 | Introduction to Indian Arts, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Cultural Heritage, Art Criticism |
| SEC-4 | Soft Skills | Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) | 2 | Personal and Professional Etiquette, Teamwork and Collaboration, Problem Solving, Interview Skills, Presentation Skills |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-11 | British Literature: The Early 20th Century | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Modernism, World Wars Impact on Literature, Stream of Consciousness, W.B. Yeats, T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce |
| DSC-12 | Literary Theory | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Formalism and New Criticism, Structuralism and Post-Structuralism, Marxist Literary Theory, Feminist Literary Theory, Postcolonial Theory |
| DSE-1 | Literature and Disability Studies | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 4 | Disability as a Social Construct, Representations of Disability in Literature, Medical vs. Social Model of Disability, Disability Rights Movement, Autobiographical Narratives |
| DSE-2 | Children''''s Literature | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 4 | Genres of Children''''s Literature, Pedagogy and Moral Development, Fantasy and Adventure, Picture Books and Young Adult Fiction, Indian Children''''s Literature |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSC-13 | British Literature: The Late 20th Century | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Postmodernism, Multiculturalism, Contemporary British Novel, Philip Larkin, Seamus Heaney, Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan |
| DSC-14 | Contemporary Literature | Discipline Specific Core (DSC) | 4 | Global Literatures, Themes of Globalization, Identity in a Fragmented World, Emerging Voices, Recent Literary Trends |
| DSE-3 | Indian Literature in English Translation | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 4 | Challenges of Translation, Regional Indian Literatures, Major Indian Authors in Translation, Dalit Literature, Folktales and Myths |
| DSE-4 | Popular Literature | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) | 4 | Genre Fiction, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Detective Fiction, Romance Novels, Cultural Impact of Popular Literature |
