M. A.(English) Programme (2 Years, Full-time Program offered by School of Languages & Literature)

The School of Languages & Literature offers 2 years full time M.A.(English) program which started in 2008.

M.A.(English) is designed particularly for those students who wish to pursue English as an all inclusive and multi- disciplinary field of study. The substantive foci of the programme is to familiarize the students with the intellectually stimulating mix of the classical and the modern, the conformist and the reactionary, the central and the peripheral, the inter-disciplinary and the intra-disciplinary , the personal and the political that the field of English studies has become today. English as a language is lingua franca and has evolved into a global phenomenon in both its linguistic and literary 'avatars' and should, therefore, occupy an integral place in any institution envisioning an international standard in teaching and research. It is with this idea that the College of Humanities & Social Sciences in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is running the program leading to a Masters degree in English.

Language is the most powerful means of communication, a potent instrument of artistic expression, literary creativity and a significant medium for the expression and conservation of culture. Ostensibly, there exists an intrinsic form of relationship between language and literature and this symbiotic co-relation is inter-complementary. English literature today is not confined to the British literature only but also includes American, Canadian, Australian, and Indian literature within its ambit.

Features of the Program

The present program aims at the study of the dynamics of both literature and language so as to give a firmer footing to the students of English. It is with these factors in view that the proposed Master's program in English Literature & Language Studies consists of 17 compulsory courses spread over four semesters and a dissertation. While designing the courses, emphasis has been laid on orienting the students to the study of different genres of literature and exposing them to the wide variety of English literatures which is the current trend in the field. However, the first two semesters includes the courses which introduce to the student concepts, issues, debates and developments in English language and language teaching. An inclusion of these courses increases considerably the already high employability of the English postgraduates.An important aspect of the syllabus is that considerable care has been taken to keep in mind the requirements of qualifying exams like SLET and NET and other competitive exams in English.The program incorporates a dissertation which students will be required to submit in the final semester of the program. An adequate literary training requires ability to research and write substantial papers. The dissertation, it is expected, will enable students to write their first long and independent thesis under faculty supervision. The courses of study proposed here will undergo periodical review, and modifications will be effected as and when necessary.

Overall Structure

See also