BA in English Syllabus & Subjects 2024

BA English Syllabus includes subjects such as English Poetry: The Elizabethan to the Augustan, English Poetry: The Pre-Romantic to the Victorian, English Prose: The Elizabethan to the Victorian, English Prose: The Late-Victorian to the Modern, Introduction to Computing, Indian Writing in English: Fiction, and so on. The majority of universities in India divide their BA English course offerings into two categories: core subjects and elective subjects. Each of them contributes to gaining a deeper understanding of the English language, literature from around the world, and their global influences.

BA English syllabus includes electives such as Media, Communication Skills, Language, Linguistics, Women Empowerment, Academic Writing, Composition, Travel Writing, Autobiography, and others. BA English syllabus for core subjects includes: Indian Classical Literature, British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries, American Literature, Women's Writing, English/MIL Communication, British Literature: The Early 20th Century. Assignments, following course module books, case studies/research work, internships, and other methods of teaching BA English are used. Communicative English, Professional Communication, History of English Literature, English Poetry, English Prose, Cultural Education, and other subjects are covered in the first year of the BA in English.  

For your better understanding, we have provided the BA English syllabus and subjects list here:

• Indian Classical Literature
• Poetry and drama in Britain from the 14th to the 17th centuries
• American Literature
• Women's Writing
• Communication in English with the MIL
• British Literature in the Early Twentieth Century

BA English is an undergraduate programme that introduces students to the English language and literature. Students study the history of the English language as well as its contemporary aspects in the BA English syllabus. Furthermore, the BA English syllabus illustrates the minutiae of the English language and its various applications in our daily lives. The main goal of the BA English syllabus and subjects is to teach both the English language and literature. The study of English language history and contemporary studies, among other details, has made the syllabus weighty. 

BA English is known as one of the most popular courses among Arts students. English as a subject is highly regarded throughout the world due to its status as the primary global language. As a result, earning a degree in this field is considered prestigious. It opens up numerous career opportunities in all fields of work. This course includes the study of various works of literature and languages. Students gain a solid understanding of English grammar concepts and related aspects by studying the English language. The subjects explain the origins, progression, and changes that occurred over time. 

The history of the English language is also discussed with insight. English literature is taught in addition to the language. It illustrates the depth, diversity, and other specifics of literature. Read on to know more about BA English syllabus and subjects.

BA English syllabus and subjects include Media and Communication Skills, Language and Linguistics, Contemporary India: Women and Empowerment, Academic Writing and Composition, Travel Writing, Autobiography, and many others. American Literature, European Classical Literature, and Indian Classical Literature are also included. BA English syllabus also provides students with additional specialties to help them strengthen their skill development and land lucrative employment opportunities in the BA English field.

Here are the highlights of the BA English syllabus and subjects:

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BA English syllabus is designed to provide learners with all-encompassing knowledge. The BA English course syllabus includes history of English literature, English language study, English as a communication medium, and literature from various eras and societies. In addition, the BA in English course develops writing and analytical skills. The primary objective of the BA English subjects included in the syllabus is to lay a solid foundation in the subject. Each institution's BA English syllabus may have a different structure. However, some common topics are taught to students. Each topic includes an in-depth study that allows students to gain a broad understanding of the subject matter. 

Both core and elective subjects are included in the three-year BA in English programme. Depending on the university or college, they might be slightly different. There are two components to it: a set of mandatory classes covering the foundations of literature and a set of elective classes intended to enhance skills and knowledge for specific career paths. Assuring that students have access to all relevant and essential material is the aim of the BA English course. Check out the table below to learn about the BA English syllabus by year.

BA English 1st Year Syllabus

BA English 2nd Year Syllabus

BA English 3rd Year Syllabus

BA English subjects are taught over a three-year period. Students study the poetry, prose, and novels of English writers of various ages over the years. 

First Year BA English Subjects

Communicative English: It is a method of language teaching in which students learn through real-life interactions, which helps to reinforce the importance of learning.

Professional Communication: Professional communication is a subfield of communication that focuses on the theory and practise of communication in a business setting.

Cultural Education: It is the character development through cultural forms of expression, art, and play. It is general education because it allows children and youth to connect with themselves and the world through play, the arts, and culture.

Second Year BA English Subjects

Indian English Literature: Poetry: Indian English literature is the collection of works by Indian authors who write in English.

American Literature: Students will study the field of American literature, which encompasses all works produced in the United States, including novels, short stories, plays, poetry, biographies/autobiographies, histories, essays, and literary criticism.

Shakespeare: Comedies: Some of Shakespeare's most famous comedies include All's Well That Ends Well, As You Like It, The Comedy of Errors, and others.

Third Year BA English Subjects 

Literary Criticism Elements: Archetypal criticism, cultural criticism, feminist criticism, psychoanalytic criticism, Marxist Criticism, New Criticism, New Historicism, post-structuralism, and reader-response criticism are all elements of literary criticism.

Spiritual Literature: Spiritual literature is a type of literature that involves the author's personal spiritual experience, such as a diary or autobiography.

English Drama: Drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through the performance of written dialogue in literature. Dramas are commonly referred to as plays, and their authors are referred to as 'playwrights' or 'playwrights'.

A wide range of BA English syllabus and subjects is taught in universities and colleges in India. The BA English subjects include European Classical Literature, American Literature, Indian Classical Literature, Elizabethan Literature, Post-Colonial Literature, Women’s writing, etc. Each of the subjects covers extensive studies. All forms of poetry, prose, dramas, and English writing are usually incorporated into the BA English syllabus. All the subjects of this course provide the requisite know-how on the social, political, and economic life of the era the literary works belong to.  

Consequently, the students can form a clear perspective on the social and cultural changes that inspired the written works. After completing the 3 years journey, the learners achieve the skills of communication, critical reading, and writing. The specific subjects of the BA English syllabus vary and the basic topics covered are large in number.

Included are some of the basic subjects that are covered under the BA English syllabus are:

BA English subjects taught as optional are a crucial part of the entire BA English course syllabus. The optional subjects along with the core ones broaden the route of learning for the students. The core and the optional BA English course subjects are complementary to each other. The optional subjects help the students to explore writing skills like academic writing, travel writing, etc. All these skills prepare the students for some interesting careers in writing. Students gain an understanding of how to convey their thoughts and feelings in the right words. Thinking capability, creative ability, etc. are properly nurtured with the learning of these optional subjects. As the students have to choose the optional based on their interests, they should be clear about that. They should be well aware of the purpose and learning outcome of both the BA English syllabus and BA English course subjects taught in the optional part.  Listed below are the optional subjects usually taught in the BA English course:

·    Text and Performances

·    Literary Theory

·    Research Methodology

·    Travel Writing

·    Autobiography

·    Academic Writing and Composition

·    Readings on Indian Diversities and Literary Movements

·    Modern Indian Writing in English Translation

·    Literary Criticism

BA English syllabus for distance programs is important for the students of the BA English Distance learning program.  Instead of regular classes, students in this mode of learning attend classes at flexible times. The BA English syllabus for the distance program is designed with the objective of enabling students to secure a prospective career in the field. The course topics are chosen based on future scopes.  BA English course subjects in distance education are varied. Different universities teach different subjects keeping the core concepts similar to each other. Like the regular courses, the BA English subjects cover different genres like prose, poetry, novel, drama, etc. In some universities, students are taught the concepts of the structure of modern English as well. English Communication skills are an important part of the BA English distance education syllabus.

Listed below are the syllabus topics that a BA English distance education students require to study during the course:

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Like the BA English syllabus, the structure of the course also varies for different universities. The course structure is designed in such a way that the students can read about the works of different authors across the world. A wide range of topics is taught across the universities ranging from the literature of the Victorian age to contemporary literature. 

Apart from that, the BA English syllabus covers the teaching of advanced writing techniques too. With the learning of the writing procedures, students develop the skill to achieve fineness in writing. They learn about the writing techniques used in different industries. The course structure of BA in English includes the following aspects:

·    Semesters

·    Core Subjects

·    Optional Subjects

·    Writing/ Translation/ Language

The BA English subjects remain consistent across colleges, albeit with slight variations in the course modules. The order may differ based on the mode of instruction, but the content remains comparable. The program offers a distinctive teaching and writing style, along with diverse literary options. Assessments typically include assignments, studying course module books, engaging in case studies or research work, and internship opportunities.

To succeed in BA English, it is crucial to understand the entrance exam syllabus. These exams assess students' aptitude for the subject, conducted nationally and at the university level. Some colleges consider national-level scores, while others prioritize university-level scores. CUET is a significant national-level exam for BA English admission. Certain universities require candidates to take the English/General Test within CUET for BA English courses.

Here is a list and syllabus of different entrance exams that aspirants can take to pursue a BA English program:

A good book for BA English plays an essential role in providing adequate knowledge of different BA English course subjects. There are books of different genres and different BA English subjects. They come with different topics and different objectives. There are prose and poetry books, books on dramas, novels, the History of English literature, etc.  Every book studied in the field of BA English gives in-depth learning on the subjects. By reading these books the students acquire course-specific learning which in return helps them to excel in the exam. Besides, these books boost the aptitude of the subjects. 

By reading a drama, one can understand the social structure against which the writer developed the plot. The same is true for prose, poetry, and novel. The characters portrayed in the books present the people of that age, their characters, thoughts, lives, etc. In this way, the students come to know about the time and matter a writer wanted to portray through his/her writing. Listed below are some books of different genres that the students read to cover the BA English course syllabus:

Books on English Literature

·    English Literature by Edward Albert

·    A History of English Literature by Satish Kumar

Books on Philology

·    Otto Jespersen: Growth and Structure of the English Language

·    C.L. Wren: The English Language

Drama

·    Macbeth by William Shakespeare

·    As You Like It by William Shakespeare

·    Edward II by Christopher Marlowe

·    Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller

·    Bravely Fought the Queen by Mahesh Dattani

·    The Way of the World by William Congreve

·    She Stoops to Conquer by Goldsmith

Novel

·    The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

·    Rajmohan's Wife by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay

Poetry

·    'Wife of Bath's Prologue' by Geoffrey Chaucer

·    'Paradise Lost' by John Milton

·    ‘The Good Morrow’ by John Donne

·    ‘To Helen’ by Edgar Allan Poe

·    ‘River’ by A.K. Ramanujan

·    'London' by Samuel Johnson

Prose

·    Selections from Bacon’s Essay

·    Sidney’s Arcadia

·    More’s Utopia

·    Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe