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BA in English at University of Lucknow
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is English at University of Lucknow Lucknow?
This English specialization program at University of Lucknow focuses on a comprehensive understanding of literature, language, and critical theory. Rooted in the rich traditions of global and Indian English writing, it equips students with analytical, communicative, and creative skills highly valued across diverse sectors. The program''''s design aligns with the National Education Policy, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach and preparing graduates for a dynamic future.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a passion for literature, critical thinking, and communication, seeking entry into fields like publishing, media, and education. It also caters to individuals aiming for postgraduate studies in English or related humanities. Students interested in developing strong analytical and expressive abilities, or those looking to cultivate a nuanced understanding of cultural and social narratives, will find this curriculum particularly rewarding.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including content writing, journalism, editing, teaching, public relations, and civil services. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 to 4.5 LPA, with experienced professionals potentially earning INR 6-10 LPA or more, depending on the sector and role. The foundational skills also support pursuing advanced degrees or professional certifications in communication and media.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Cultivate Strong Reading and Analytical Habits- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with prescribed texts, identifying themes, literary devices, and authorial intent. Maintain a reading journal to summarize, analyze, and reflect on each work. Actively participate in classroom discussions to refine interpretative skills and consider diverse perspectives on literary texts.
Tools & Resources
University library resources, online literary journals, e-readers for annotated reading (e.g., Kindle), discussion forums
Career Connection
Essential for careers in research, content development, journalism, and academic writing, where critical analysis and coherent articulation are paramount.
Enhance Academic Writing and Communication- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on mastering academic essay structure, precise vocabulary, and grammatical accuracy. Seek feedback from professors on all written assignments. Practice diverse writing formats like precis, reports, and critical essays as specified in the syllabus, using appropriate referencing styles.
Tools & Resources
Grammar and style guides (e.g., Oxford Guide to English Grammar), online writing labs (OWL Purdue), peer review groups, university writing center
Career Connection
Crucial for all professional roles requiring effective written communication, including content writing, editing, corporate communications, and public relations.
Build Foundational Digital Literacy for Humanities- (Semester 1-2)
Learn to effectively use digital tools for research, presentation, and content creation relevant to English studies. This includes efficient online database searching, using word processors for formatting academic papers, and exploring digital archives of literary works.
Tools & Resources
JSTOR, Project Gutenberg, Google Scholar, Zotero/Mendeley for citation management, Microsoft Word/Google Docs
Career Connection
Prepares students for the digital demands of modern workplaces, from online content creation to digital archiving and academic research presentation.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Interdisciplinary Exploration- (Semester 3-5)
Actively seek connections between English literature and other disciplines like history, sociology, psychology, or philosophy. Attend guest lectures and workshops on interdisciplinary topics. Consider minor electives that complement English studies to broaden your academic perspective.
Tools & Resources
Cross-departmental academic calendars, interdisciplinary research papers, university seminar series, online courses in related humanities fields
Career Connection
Develops a holistic understanding vital for careers in policy analysis, cultural studies, journalism, and fields requiring diverse analytical lenses.
Develop Specialized Research Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Undertake independent research projects on topics of personal interest, going beyond required coursework. Learn to identify credible sources, conduct literature reviews, and construct well-supported arguments. Present findings in seminars or departmental events.
Tools & Resources
University library''''s research guides, research methodology workshops, academic databases, institutional repository, faculty mentors
Career Connection
Essential for postgraduate studies, research analyst roles, content strategy, and any position demanding rigorous inquiry and evidence-based reporting.
Participate in Literary and Cultural Events- (Semester 3-5)
Join university literary societies, attend poetry readings, book clubs, debates, and drama productions. Volunteer for organizing such events to gain practical experience in event management, publicity, and networking within the literary community.
Tools & Resources
University cultural committees, local literary festivals, theatre groups, online platforms for literary events
Career Connection
Builds soft skills like teamwork, leadership, and networking, beneficial for careers in cultural management, media relations, and event coordination.
Advanced Stage
Focus on Career-Oriented Skill Development- (Semester 6)
Identify specific career paths (e.g., editing, content writing, teaching, competitive exams) and tailor your elective choices accordingly. Seek internships in relevant organizations to gain practical industry experience and build a professional portfolio of your work.
Tools & Resources
University placement cell, career counseling services, LinkedIn, internship portals (e.g., Internshala, Naukri), professional networking events
Career Connection
Directly enhances employability by providing practical experience, industry contacts, and a demonstrable skill set demanded by employers in the chosen field.
Prepare for Higher Education and Competitive Exams- (Semester 6)
For those aspiring for MA/PhD, start researching target universities and preparing for entrance exams (e.g., NET/JRF, GATE Humanities). For civil services or other competitive exams, begin targeted preparation, focusing on general studies and English proficiency sections.
Tools & Resources
Previous year''''s question papers, coaching institutes, online preparation platforms, study groups, career mentors
Career Connection
Provides a structured pathway towards advanced academic careers, research positions, or prestigious government roles requiring specific entrance qualifications.
Develop a Professional Online Presence- (Semester 6)
Create a professional online profile showcasing your academic achievements, writing samples, and any projects. This could include a personal blog, a LinkedIn profile, or a portfolio website to highlight your skills to potential employers or academic institutions.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, WordPress/Blogger for personal blog, portfolio platforms
Career Connection
Essential for modern job searching and personal branding, helping you stand out to recruiters and academic committees by demonstrating your work and professional identity.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Intermediate (10+2) or equivalent examination from a recognized Board/University.
Duration: 3 Years (6 Semesters)
Credits: 132 (for the entire BA degree as per NEP guidelines) Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A040101T | English Prose and Writing Skills | Core | 4 | Types of Prose (Essays, Biographies, Travelogues), Rhetorical Devices and Figures of Speech, Writing Skills (Paragraph, Precis, Report, Letter, Essay), Sentence Structure and Punctuation, Vocabulary Building and Word Formation |
| A040102T | English Poetry | Core | 4 | Forms of Poetry (Sonnet, Ode, Elegy, Ballad, Lyric, Epic), Poetic Devices (Imagery, Symbolism, Metaphor, Simile, Rhyme, Meter), Critical Appreciation of Poetry, Selected Poems (e.g., Shakespeare, Donne, Milton, Blake, Wordsworth), Historical Context of Poetic Movements |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A040201T | English Drama | Core | 4 | Types of Drama (Tragedy, Comedy, Farce, One-Act Play), Dramatic Devices and Conventions, Study of Selected Plays (e.g., Shakespeare, Marlowe, Jonson, Shaw), Evolution of English Drama, Dramatic Criticism and Performance |
| A040202T | English Fiction | Core | 4 | Elements of Fiction (Plot, Character, Setting, Theme, Narrative Technique), Types of Fiction (Novel, Novella, Short Story), Critical Appreciation of Fiction, Selected Novels/Short Stories (e.g., Defoe, Austen, Dickens, Hardy), Narrative Structures and Point of View |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A040301T | History of English Literature (From Chaucer to Shakespeare) | Core | 4 | Old English Period and Middle English Literature, The Renaissance and Humanism, Elizabethan Age and Jacobean Literature, Major Writers and Literary Movements of the Period, Socio-Political Context of Early English Literature |
| A040302T | English Language and Philology | Core | 4 | Origin and Growth of English Language, Phonetics and Phonology (Speech Sounds, IPA), Morphology (Word Structure, Affixes), Syntax (Sentence Structure, Parts of Speech), Semantics (Meaning, Sense Relations), History of English Words |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A040401T | Indian Writing in English | Core | 4 | Evolution of Indian Writing in English, Major Genres (Novel, Poetry, Drama, Prose) by Indian Authors, Prominent Indian English Writers (e.g., R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Kamala Markandaya), Themes and Concerns in Indian English Literature, Post-Independence Indian English Writing |
| A040402T | Literary Criticism and Theory | Core | 4 | Classical Criticism (Plato, Aristotle, Horace), Romantic and Victorian Criticism (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Arnold), New Criticism and Formalism, Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Deconstruction, Feminist Criticism, Post-Colonialism, Marxist Criticism |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A040501T | American Literature | Core | 4 | Early American Literature and Puritanism, Romanticism, Transcendentalism, and Realism in America, Modernism and Post-Modernism in American Literature, Major American Authors (e.g., Emerson, Whitman, Dickinson, Hemingway, Faulkner), Themes in American Literature (Identity, American Dream, Frontier) |
| A040502T | Postcolonial Literature | Discipline Specific Elective | 4 | Concepts of Postcolonialism, Colonialism and Imperialism, Hybridity, Diaspora, and Subaltern Studies, The Empire Writes Back: Canonical and Counter-Canonical Readings, Major Postcolonial Writers (e.g., Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong''''o, V.S. Naipaul, Salman Rushdie), Themes of Identity, Representation, and Resistance |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A040601T | Commonwealth Literature | Core | 4 | Definition and Scope of Commonwealth Literature, Themes in Commonwealth Literature (Identity, Migration, Language, Culture), Regional Literatures (African, Canadian, Australian, Caribbean), Major Commonwealth Authors (e.g., Patrick White, Margaret Atwood, Derek Walcott, Wole Soyinka), The Legacy of Colonialism in Post-Independence Writing |
| A040602T | Literature and Gender | Discipline Specific Elective | 4 | Feminist Literary Criticism and its Waves, Gender Studies and Representation of Women in Literature, Masculinities in Literature, LGBTQ+ Literature, Major Feminist Critics and Writers (e.g., Virginia Woolf, Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler), Patriarchy, Power, and Resistance in Literary Texts |
