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M-A in English at University of Delhi
Delhi, Delhi
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About the Specialization
What is English at University of Delhi Delhi?
This M.A. English program at the University of Delhi focuses on a comprehensive study of literature and critical theory, encompassing diverse literary traditions from across the globe, with a significant emphasis on Indian literatures and critical thought. The program provides a robust foundation in literary criticism, history, and research methodologies, distinguishing itself through a blend of classical and contemporary approaches relevant to India''''s evolving academic and cultural landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a background in English Literature seeking to deepen their academic and critical understanding. It also caters to aspiring researchers, educators, and those looking to enter content creation, journalism, or publishing roles. Candidates with a strong analytical mind, a passion for reading, and an interest in cultural studies and societal narratives would find this program enriching and highly rewarding.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue diverse career paths in India, including academic positions (lecturer, researcher), editorial roles in publishing houses, content strategists in media and marketing, or journalists. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-6 lakhs per annum, with significant growth trajectories for experienced professionals in academia or specialized content fields. The critical thinking and communication skills gained are highly valued across various industries.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Literary Theories and Histories- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on building a robust understanding of foundational literary theories (criticism, structuralism, postcolonialism) and historical literary periods. Engage actively in classroom discussions, form peer study groups, and consult recommended supplementary readings beyond the syllabus to broaden your perspective.
Tools & Resources
University Library (physical & digital), online academic databases (JSTOR, Project MUSE), faculty office hours
Career Connection
A strong conceptual base is vital for higher academic pursuits, research, and critical analysis roles in publishing or content creation.
Cultivate Advanced Academic Writing Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Develop precision and clarity in academic writing, focusing on essay structure, argumentation, and meticulous citation. Attend workshops on academic integrity, research methodology, and effective thesis statement construction. Seek feedback on your writing from professors and peers regularly.
Tools & Resources
University Writing Centre, Purdue OWL, plagiarism checkers, Zotero/Mendeley
Career Connection
Exceptional writing skills are indispensable for any professional role requiring communication, research, or content generation, significantly enhancing employability.
Deep Dive into Indian Literary Contexts- (Semester 1-2)
Immerse yourself in the nuances of Indian literature, both in English and in translation. Explore its diverse forms, regional variations, and socio-political contexts. Participate in relevant departmental seminars or local literary events to gain deeper insights into India''''s rich literary heritage.
Tools & Resources
Sahitya Akademi publications, Indian Literature journals, local literary festivals
Career Connection
Specializing in Indian literature provides a unique edge for roles in Indian publishing, cultural institutions, and academia, both nationally and internationally.
Intermediate Stage
Strategic Elective Selection and Research Initiation- (Semester 3)
Carefully choose elective courses that align with your burgeoning academic interests or career aspirations. Begin exploring potential dissertation topics, identify faculty mentors whose research interests align with yours, and start gathering preliminary readings for your chosen area of specialization.
Tools & Resources
Faculty advisors, departmental research seminars, comprehensive literature review techniques
Career Connection
Focused elective choices and early research planning are crucial for building a specialized profile, whether for PhD applications or niche industry roles.
Engage in Critical Debates and Intellectual Exchange- (Semester 3)
Actively participate in departmental seminars, colloquia, and guest lectures. Challenge conventional ideas, articulate your arguments clearly, and engage respectfully with diverse viewpoints. Consider organizing or joining a student-led discussion forum on contemporary literary or critical issues.
Tools & Resources
Departmental notice boards, university event calendars, academic blogs/forums
Career Connection
Developing strong oral communication, critical thinking, and intellectual leadership skills is highly valued in academia, journalism, and public relations.
Explore Interdisciplinary Connections- (Semester 3)
Look for opportunities to connect literary studies with other disciplines like history, sociology, philosophy, or media studies. Attend workshops or lectures outside the English department that offer relevant interdisciplinary perspectives to enrich your analytical framework.
Tools & Resources
Cross-departmental academic events, interdisciplinary journals
Career Connection
An interdisciplinary approach makes you a more versatile and adaptable professional, opening doors to roles in policy, cultural studies, and diverse research organizations.
Advanced Stage
Dissertation Excellence and Publication Pursuit- (Semester 4)
Dedicate significant effort to your dissertation, ensuring originality, rigorous research, and scholarly contribution. Work closely with your supervisor, adhering to deadlines. Aim to condense a part of your dissertation into a paper suitable for presentation at a national conference or submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
Tools & Resources
Dissertation supervisor, university research support, academic journal submission guidelines
Career Connection
A high-quality dissertation is a cornerstone for academic careers and a strong portfolio piece for any research-oriented or intellectually demanding role. Publication enhances your credibility significantly.
Professional Portfolio Development and Career Planning- (Semester 4)
Begin building a professional portfolio that showcases your best academic papers, research presentations, and any relevant work experience (e.g., internships, editorial tasks). Actively attend career counseling sessions, mock interviews, and workshops focused on resume building and job search strategies for academic and non-academic paths.
Tools & Resources
University Career Services, LinkedIn, professional writing samples
Career Connection
A well-curated portfolio and proactive career planning are essential for successful transitions into the job market, securing desirable placements, or gaining admission to PhD programs.
Network for Post-MA Opportunities- (Semester 4)
Expand your professional network beyond the university to include scholars, editors, journalists, and cultural practitioners. Attend industry events, connect with alumni, and seek informational interviews to explore diverse career avenues. Build relationships that can lead to mentorship and future collaborations.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, alumni networking platforms, professional associations (e.g., Indian Association for English Studies)
Career Connection
Strong professional networks are invaluable for discovering hidden job markets, securing referrals, and navigating complex career transitions after graduation.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A. degree from the University of Delhi or any other University recognized as equivalent thereto with at least 40% aggregate marks OR B.A. (Hons.) English from the University of Delhi or any other University recognized as equivalent thereto with at least 50% marks in B.A. (Hons.) English.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 72 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CC 1 | English Studies: Literary Criticism and Theory I | Core | 4 | Classical Criticism, Romantic Criticism, Victorian Criticism, Formalism, Structuralism, New Criticism |
| CC 2 | English Studies: Literary History (Early British Literature) | Core | 4 | Old and Middle English Literature, Chaucer and Medieval Romances, Renaissance Drama and Poetry, Metaphysical Poets, Restoration and Augustan Age |
| CC 3 | English Studies: Contemporary Literary Theory | Core | 4 | Post-Structuralism, Psychoanalysis, Feminist Literary Theory, Postcolonialism, Ecocriticism, Queer Theory |
| CC 4 | English Studies: Indian Literature in English I | Core | 4 | Early Indian English Poetry, Indian English Novel - Formative Years, Dalit Literature, Partition Literature, Regional Literatures in Translation |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CC 5 | English Studies: Literary Criticism and Theory II | Core | 4 | Marxist Criticism, New Historicism, Cultural Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Critical Race Theory, Phenomenology |
| CC 6 | English Studies: Literary History (Modern British Literature) | Core | 4 | Modernist Poetry and Prose, Bloomsbury Group, Post-War British Fiction, Contemporary British Drama, Children''''s Literature in Britain |
| CC 7 | English Studies: Indian Literatures in English II | Core | 4 | Contemporary Indian Poetry, Indian Diaspora Literature, Graphic Novels in India, Indian Autobiographical Writing, Popular Fiction in India |
| EC 1.1 | European Classics | Elective | 4 | Classical Greek Drama, Epic Poetry, Medieval European Literature, Renaissance Humanism, Existentialist Novel |
| EC 1.2 | Literature and Ecology | Elective | 4 | Nature Writing, Environmental Humanities, Anthropocene Narratives, Ecocriticism, Green Studies |
| EC 1.3 | Narratives of Difference | Elective | 4 | Disability Studies, Queer Narratives, Trauma Literature, Refugee and Migration Narratives, Marginalized Voices in Literature |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CC 8 | English Studies: Research Methodology | Core | 4 | Academic Writing and Ethics, Qualitative Research Methods, Quantitative Research Methods, Digital Humanities, Literature Review Techniques, Referencing and Citation Styles |
| CC 9 | English Studies: Literary History (American Literature) | Core | 4 | Colonial and Early American Literature, American Romanticism and Transcendentalism, Modern American Novel, African American Literature, Contemporary American Poetry |
| EC 2.1 | Modern Drama | Elective | 4 | Absurdist Theatre, Realism and Naturalism, Expressionism, Postcolonial Drama, Feminist Theatre |
| EC 2.2 | Shakespearean Studies | Elective | 4 | Shakespeare''''s Tragedies, Comedies and Romances, Histories and Problem Plays, Sonnets and Narrative Poems, Performance and Adaptation |
| EC 2.3 | Women''''s Writing | Elective | 4 | Feminist Literary Criticism, Suffragette Literature, Contemporary Women Novelists, Gender and Genre, Indian Women''''s Writing |
| EC 3.1 | Translation: Theory and Practice | Elective | 4 | Theories of Translation, Cultural Translation, Postcolonial Translation, Machine Translation, Literary Translation |
| EC 3.2 | Critical Humanities | Elective | 4 | Posthumanism, Affect Studies, Sound Studies, Memory Studies, Critical Theory |
| EC 3.3 | Literature of the Black Diaspora | Elective | 4 | Harlem Renaissance, Caribbean Literature, African American Poetry, Black British Writing, Transatlantic Slavery Narratives |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CC 10 | English Studies: Dissertation | Core (Alternative option: two 4-credit papers) | 16 | Research Proposal Development, Thesis Writing, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Academic Presentation, Original Research Contribution, Scholarly Argumentation |
| EC 4.1 | Children’s Literature | Elective | 4 | Fairy Tales and Folklore, Young Adult Fiction, Picturebooks and Illustration, Children''''s Poetry, Media for Children |
| EC 4.2 | Science Fiction and Fantasy | Elective | 4 | Utopian/Dystopian Literature, Cyberpunk and Steampunk, Fantasy Tropes and World-building, Speculative Fiction, AI in Literature |
| EC 4.3 | Literature and Film | Elective | 4 | Adaptation Studies, Narrative in Film, Genre Studies, Auteur Theory, World Cinema |
| EC 5.1 | Critical Animal Studies | Elective | 4 | Human-Animal Divide, Animal Ethics, Anthropomorphism, Animal Narratives, Veganism in Literature |
| EC 5.2 | Digital Humanities | Elective | 4 | Text Mining and Analysis, Data Visualization, Digital Archiving, Gaming Studies, Electronic Literature |
| EC 5.3 | Literature of Travel and Migration | Elective | 4 | Travel Writing, Exile and Diaspora Narratives, Postcolonial Migrations, Global Mobility in Literature, Cross-cultural Encounters |
