The Teaching of English Literature in Indian Universities: A Review
Keywords:
BA (Special English), Indian Universities, Special papersAbstract
The increase in demand for English in the twenty-first century can be credited to globalization and the emergence of IT industry. To meet this ever-growing demand, the syllabi of English in the Indian universities are undergoing a sea change. In the conventional degree programme B.A., Indian universities offer an elective course, ‘Special English’, known by different names - English (Honours), English (Major), Principal English, English (Special) and Special English. Indian students opt for B.A. (Special English) course not for the love of literature but due to the job market demand for communicative English. Nevertheless, the B.A. (Special English) course, by and large, remains a course in literary studies. Comparing the B.A. (Special English) courses offered in Indian universities with the B.A. (Hons) programmes in English offered in universities abroad, this paper sets the scene for revamping the existing syllabi of the B.A. (Special English) courses in India.
References
Boyle, Joseph. (1998). “New Directions in University English Departments.” New Frontiers in Education. xxviii. 4, pp. 457-471. In Towards an alternative Curriculum for English Literature Students at the Tertiary Level. Cherian, Rita. (2001). Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Madras: Chennai.
GoI. (1971). Report of the Study Group on Teaching of English, New Delhi: Ministry of Education and Youth Services. In The Story of English in India, Krishnaswamy and Krishnaswamy. 2006. Appendix III, pp. 203-219. New Delhi: Foundation Books.
Gokak, V. K. (1964-65). “M.A. Syllabus in English”, Bulletin of the CIEFL. Nos. 4 & 5, pp. 122-126.
North Maharashtra University.(2009).Online Syllabi. Retrieved from on 09th July 2009.
Paranjape, Makarand. (1993). “Beyond English: Teli’s Larger Agenda” in Marathe et al. (eds.) Provocations: The Teaching of English Literature in India. Madras: OrientLongman, pp. 49-58.
SGB Amravati University. (2009). Syllabi of English Literature course B.A. I, II and final. Amravati: SGB Amravati University.
Shivaji University. (2009). Online syllabus. Retrieved from www.unishivaji.ac.in./syllabus/ arts & fine art/BA/B.A. English. Last visited 3rd July, 2009.
University Grants Commission. (1989). Report of Curriculum Development Centre in English. New Delhi: University Grants Commission.
University of Mumbai. (2007). Syllabus in the subject of English F.Y.B.A., S.Y.B.A. and T.Y.B.A. Enclosure of item No. 4.8 and 4.9 dated 13/04/2007.
University of Madras. (2009). PG Syllabus. Retrieved from on 6th Nov. 2009.
University of Pune. (2009). F.Y. S.Y. BA and MA English Syllabus. Retrieved from Last visited 25th June 2009.
Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University. (2009). YCMOU Prospectus 2009-10. Nashik: YCMOU
