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M-A in Comparative Indian Literature at University of Delhi
Delhi, Delhi
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About the Specialization
What is Comparative Indian Literature at University of Delhi Delhi?
This M.A. Comparative Indian Literature program at the University of Delhi focuses on the rich literary traditions across India''''s diverse languages. It delves into the historical, theoretical, and cultural contexts of Indian literatures, examining their interconnections and evolutions. The program addresses the unique challenges and opportunities in studying pluralistic literary landscapes, preparing students for careers in academia, research, cultural institutions, and content creation within the Indian publishing and media industries.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for humanities graduates with a keen interest in diverse literary expressions and critical thinking. It attracts fresh graduates seeking a robust foundation for research or teaching careers. Working professionals in publishing, journalism, or cultural heritage management looking to deepen their literary scholarship, and career changers transitioning into academia or cultural commentary will also find this program enriching, provided they possess a strong academic background.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue careers as academics, researchers, literary critics, translators, content writers, or cultural heritage specialists. Entry-level salaries in these fields in India can range from INR 3.5-6 LPA, growing significantly with experience. Opportunities exist in universities, research institutes, publishing houses, media organizations, and NGOs, contributing to the preservation and interpretation of India''''s vast literary heritage.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Literary Theory Fundamentals- (Semester 1)
Develop a strong understanding of foundational Indian and Western literary theories introduced in core courses. Actively engage with primary theoretical texts, participate in seminar discussions, and seek faculty clarification on complex concepts.
Tools & Resources
Sahitya Akademi publications, NPTEL literary theory modules, online academic journals, peer study groups
Career Connection
A solid theoretical base is crucial for advanced research, critical analysis, and developing a distinctive academic voice, essential for research and teaching roles.
Cultivate Interdisciplinary Reading Habits- (Semester 1)
Beyond prescribed texts, explore comparative literary works from various Indian languages and global contexts. Attend public lectures and literary festivals to broaden perspectives on diverse narrative traditions and critical approaches.
Tools & Resources
University library resources, JNU/DU departmental seminars, online literary databases, Sahapedia for cultural content
Career Connection
Enhances ability to draw connections across cultures and disciplines, highly valued in comparative research, cultural studies, and content development.
Hone Academic Writing and Presentation- (Semester 1)
Diligently practice academic essay writing, research proposal formulation, and oral presentation skills, utilizing the dedicated AECC course. Seek feedback from professors and peers on assignments to refine articulation and argumentation.
Tools & Resources
DU Writing Centre, Grammarly, Zotero for citations, university presentation facilities
Career Connection
Essential for all academic and professional roles, particularly in research, publishing, and public engagement, where clear communication is paramount.
Intermediate Stage
Engage with Electives Strategically- (Semesters 2-3)
Choose Discipline Specific and Generic Electives that align with emerging research interests or potential career paths, such as Translation Studies, Dalit Literature, or Film and Literature. Actively participate in specialized workshops related to chosen electives.
Tools & Resources
Departmental workshops, literary societies, specific academic conferences on chosen elective topics
Career Connection
Allows for early specialization, building expertise in a niche area that can lead to focused research topics for the dissertation and distinct career profiles.
Seek Mentorship and Collaborative Projects- (Semesters 2-3)
Identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests and seek their guidance for independent study or minor research projects. Collaborate with peers on comparative literature initiatives or journal article submissions.
Tools & Resources
Faculty office hours, departmental research groups, university interdisciplinary centers
Career Connection
Builds valuable academic networks, provides hands-on research experience, and strengthens teamwork skills, crucial for higher studies and collaborative research environments.
Intern at Cultural or Publishing Organizations- (Semesters 2-3)
Actively seek short-term internships with publishing houses, literary festivals, cultural organizations (e.g., ICCR, Sahitya Akademi), or media outlets. Apply theoretical knowledge to practical, real-world scenarios.
Tools & Resources
University career services, professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, direct outreach to organizations
Career Connection
Provides practical experience, industry exposure, and networking opportunities, significantly boosting employability in publishing, content creation, and cultural administration.
Advanced Stage
Focus on Dissertation Excellence- (Semester 4)
Undertake a rigorous and original research project for the dissertation, meticulously applying research methodology principles. Ensure a clear research question, thorough literature review, and coherent argumentation under continuous faculty supervision.
Tools & Resources
University library''''s e-resources, research databases (JSTOR, MLA International Bibliography), academic writing software
Career Connection
The dissertation is a capstone project, demonstrating advanced research capabilities, critical thinking, and independent scholarship, vital for PhD applications and research-oriented careers.
Present Research and Network Professionally- (Semester 4)
Present dissertation findings or other research papers at departmental seminars, national conferences, or student symposia. Network with scholars and professionals in the field to explore post-graduation opportunities.
Tools & Resources
Conference calls for papers, academic social media (ResearchGate, Academia.edu), departmental notice boards
Career Connection
Enhances public speaking skills, establishes a professional presence, and opens doors to academic collaborations, job opportunities, and further academic pursuits.
Prepare for Higher Studies or Career Entry- (Semester 4)
For those pursuing PhDs, focus on entrance exam preparation and statement of purpose. For career entry, tailor resumes/CVs, practice interview skills, and build a portfolio of academic and practical work.
Tools & Resources
University career counseling, PhD entrance exam guides, alumni network, online interview practice platforms
Career Connection
Strategic preparation ensures a smooth transition into desired academic paths or professional roles, maximizing opportunities for career advancement in academia, research, or cultural industries.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized University with at least 45% marks or equivalent grade point average (GPA) in the aggregate.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 64 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIL-C-101 | Major Trends in Indian Literary Historiography | Core | 4 | Concepts of Indian Literature, Problems in Periodisation, Regional Literary Traditions, Orality and Literary History, Colonialism and Literary Historiography |
| CIL-C-102 | History of Literary Theory: Indian and Western | Core | 4 | Indian Poetics (Rasa, Dhvani, Alankara), Western Literary Theory (Plato, Aristotle), Romanticism and Modernism, Formalism and Structuralism, Post-Structuralism and Postcolonial Theory |
| CIL-GE-103 | Major Literary Figures of the Indian Subcontinent (Generic Elective) | Elective | 4 | Rabindranath Tagore, Mirza Ghalib, Subramania Bharati, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Munshi Premchand |
| CIL-AECC-104 | Academic Writing and Presentation Skills (Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course) | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 4 | Principles of Academic Writing, Research Proposal Formulation, Referencing and Bibliography, Effective Oral Presentations, Critical Reading and Note-Taking |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIL-C-201 | Oral Traditions in India | Core | 4 | Orality and Literacy Debate, Indian Epic Traditions (Ramayana, Mahabharata), Folk Narratives and Performance, Myth, Legend, and Tale, Preservation of Oral Traditions |
| CIL-C-202 | Narratives of Nation and Identity | Core | 4 | Conceptions of Nationhood, Nationalism and Literature, Regional Identities and Narratives, Partition Literature, Postcolonial Identities |
| CIL-DSE-203 (A) | Indian Theatre (Discipline Specific Elective Option A) | Elective | 4 | Sanskrit Drama (Natya Shastra), Folk and Traditional Theatre Forms, Modern Indian Theatre, Performance Studies, Political and Social Theatre |
| CIL-DSE-203 (B) | Translation: Theory and Practice (Discipline Specific Elective Option B) | Elective | 4 | History of Translation Studies, Theories of Translation, Cultural Transfer and Untranslatability, Literary Translation Challenges, Machine Translation and its Ethics |
| CIL-GE-204 (A) | Language and Literature (Generic Elective Option A) | Elective | 4 | Relationship between Language and Thought, Stylistics and Literary Language, Sociolinguistics of Indian Languages, Dialects and Standard Language, Linguistic Diversity in Literary Production |
| CIL-GE-204 (B) | Dalit Literature (Generic Elective Option B) | Elective | 4 | Emergence of Dalit Literature, Dalit Aesthetics and Poetics, Autobiographical Narratives, Protest and Resistance in Literature, Themes of Caste and Social Justice |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIL-C-301 | Indian Poetics and Aesthetics | Core | 4 | Rasa Theory and its Applications, Dhvani and Vakrokti, Alankara and Riti, Auchitya and Sadharanikarana, Theories of Beauty and Art in India |
| CIL-DSE-302 (A) | Children’s Literature (Discipline Specific Elective Option A) | Elective | 4 | History and Evolution of Children''''s Literature, Genres in Children''''s Literature, Pedagogical and Moral Dimensions, Children''''s Literature in Indian Languages, Visuals and Narrative in Children''''s Books |
| CIL-DSE-302 (B) | Comparative Mythology (Discipline Specific Elective Option B) | Elective | 4 | Myth and Ritual Theories, Archetypes and Universal Motifs, Comparative Study of Epic Narratives, Mythological Figures in Literature, Modern Interpretations of Myth |
| CIL-DSE-303 (A) | Film and Literature (Discipline Specific Elective Option A) | Elective | 4 | Adaptation Studies (Text to Screen), Narrative Structures in Film and Literature, Visual Semiotics and Cinematography, History of Indian Cinema, Representation and Ideology in Film |
| CIL-DSE-303 (B) | Women’s Writing in India (Discipline Specific Elective Option B) | Elective | 4 | Feminist Literary Theories, Gender and Representation, Autobiographical Narratives by Women, Regional Voices in Women''''s Writing, Social Issues in Women''''s Literature |
| CIL-OE-304 | Open Elective | Elective (Open Elective from other Departments/Faculties) | 4 | Student''''s choice from a list of courses offered by other departments/faculties of the University. |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIL-C-401 | Research Methodology | Core | 4 | Types of Research, Formulating Research Questions, Literature Review Techniques, Data Collection and Analysis Methods, Ethics in Research |
| CIL-DSE-402 (A) | Literature and Environment (Discipline Specific Elective Option A) | Elective | 4 | Ecocriticism and its Theories, Nature Writing and Environmental Literature, Environmental Justice Narratives, Climate Change and Literary Responses, Anthropocene in Literature |
| CIL-DSE-402 (B) | Folklore and Oral Traditions (Discipline Specific Elective Option B) | Elective | 4 | Theories of Folklore, Myth, Legend, and Folktales, Ritual and Performance, Folkloristics and Cultural Studies, Intangible Cultural Heritage |
| CIL-SEC-403 | Digital Humanities (Skill Enhancement Course) | Skill Enhancement Course | 4 | Introduction to Digital Humanities, Digital Textual Scholarship, Text Mining and Data Visualization, Digital Archives and Databases, Computational Literary Studies |
| CIL-Dissertation-404 | Dissertation | Dissertation/Project | 4 | Research Proposal Development, In-depth Literature Review, Methodology and Data Analysis, Academic Writing and Structuring, Presentation and Defense of Thesis |
