डॉ. बी. आर. अम्बेडकर विश्वविद्यालय दिल्ली 
Candidates must appear in [CUET(UG)].
Applicants need to have passed class XII Examination with at least 50 % marks from CBSE/DBSE or any recognised board (Relaxation of 5 % marks for SC/ST/PwBD/Delhi OBC(NCL)/Defence/Kashmiri Migrant).
Eligibility
×Candidates must appear in [CUET(UG)].
Applicants need to have passed class XII Examination with at least 50 % marks from CBSE/DBSE or any recognised board (Relaxation of 5 % marks for SC/ST/PwBD/Delhi OBC(NCL)/Defence/Kashmiri Migrant).
Merit will be calculated by considering the [CUET(UG)] SCORE obtained in the combination of sections (Domain/ General/Language) mapped to the programme.
Domain/ General/ Optional Languages to be selected by the applicant on NTA portal
Section I: English
Section II: Best score of any
three of the 23 domain specific subjects listed in section II
Keeping in view the university’s larger objectives of engaged scholarship and concern with margins, the B.A Honours programme in English aims to deepen the interaction of the students with the larger issues of our times and society, taking literature as the point of departure for an engagement with social concerns. Our programme introduces students to all aspects of the study of literature. Along with literature written in English, it has a strong component of translations into English of Indian and all other significant literatures across the world around them. Considering the study of literature as an entry point for students to critically examine the world, we also focus on folk, indigenous, popular and other artistic traditions as well as different media and forms of expression. The programme hopes to impart to students the broadest possible understanding of literature as a cultural and linguistic practice and arm them with tools to dismantle accepted and forced hierarchies in literary and cultural practices.
The approach of the Programme is inter-disciplinary in the hope that students majoring in English will develop a holistic perspective not only of literature but also of other related disciplines such as history, psychology, sociology, and gender studies. Students from other disciplines who take English courses bring new perspectives to reading literature and this helps in an exchange of ideas through more meaningful discussions in class.
Vision:
The vision of the BA Honours Programme with Major in English is to inculcate critical, literary and cultural sensibilities in the students. It is to impart an inclusive understanding of what it means to be a human, who is capable of relating with other beings through an egalitarian and a non-anthropocentric worldview. Further the vision of the programme is to develop in the students the ability to understand complexity in all spheres of life and to see the world around them through an expansive and a layered lens.
For details of the revised FYUP Credit and Curriculum Framework applicable for admissions from 2026
Objectives:
- To develop literary sensibility
- To develop insights into various literary forms, genres and themes
- To develop critical tools to analyse literary and cultural phenomena
- To understand the relevance of theoretical perspectives
- To understand literary, cultural and linguistic diversity across the continents
- To understand the nuances related to language and translation
- To understand the connection between literature and other art forms through an interdisciplinary lens
- To understand the connection between literature and other social sciences
- To deconstruct hierarchies at all levels
- To develop egalitarian, ethical and non-anthropocentric worldviews
- To connect with others humanly through the reading of literature and to recognize psychic and existential complexity and the flows of human subjectivity
- To introduce students to research methods and initiate them into the research process
Faculty involved in teaching the programme:
- Structure of the Programme: The programme consists of a host of Core (DSC) and Elective courses (DSE) from which students are required to choose a fixed number each semester. The structure of the BA Honours programme with Major in English will follow the structure of the UGCF for a Single Discipline Major in all respects
- For BA (H) English Program (Upto 2025 Batch), the following UGCF framework from the proposed schemes of the AUD Undergraduate Curriculum Framework 2022 has been applied:
|
Semester |
DSC (Discipline Specific Courses) |
DSE (Discipline Specific Electives) EL/AEO/GE/DSE |
AEC/SE/AEO/GE |
AEC/CES |
Total Credits |
|
I |
DSC 1: Literatures of the Indian Subcontinent NSUS1EN201 (4 credits) (Core Course for English, Open for Other Disciplines as EL) |
EL1/AEO1 (4
AEO2 (4) |
AEC1/SE1 (4) |
AEC2/ CES1 (4) |
20 |
|
II |
DSC2 : Literatures of the Renaissance NSUS1EN202 (4 credits) (Core Course for English, Open for Other Disciplines as EL) DSC 3: The Romantic Age NSUS1EN203 (4 credits) (Core Course for English, Open for Other Disciplines as EL)
|
EL2 /AEO3 (4) |
SE1/AEC1 (4) |
CES1/AEC2 |
20 |
|
III |
DSC 4: The Epic NSUS1EN204 (4 credits) (Core Course for English, open for other Disciplines as EL) DSC 5: American Literature NSUS1EN205 (4 credits) (Core Course for English, open for other Disciplines as EL)
DSC 6: Introduction to Drama NSUS1EN206 (4 credits) (Core Course for English, open for other Disciplines as EL)
|
EL3/GE1 (4) |
AEC3/(SE2/AEO4) (4) |
- |
20 |
|
IV |
DSC 7: Folk, Oral, Indigenous, Popular Cultures NSUS1EN207 (4 credits) (Core Course for English, open for other Disciplines as EL)
|
EL4/GE2 (4) |
(SE2/AEO4)/AEC3 (4) |
- |
20 |
Students on exit after the first year have to complete a 6-credit internship (2 months) and a 4- credit VBE. They have to complete 40 credits. Award- Undergraduate Certificate (in the single discipline)
Students on exit after second year have to complete a 6-credit internship (2 months) and a 4- credit VBE. They have to complete 80 credits. Award- Undergraduate Diploma (in the single discipline)
Students on exit after third year should have completed a 6-credit internship (2 months) and they should have completed a 4-credit VBE within their period of study. They have to complete 120 credits. Award- Bachelor's Degree (in the single discipline)
For students exiting the programme with a 3 year Degree a total of 2 DSEs are compulsory.
For the Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) (in the single discipline) the student would also write a seminar paper worth 6 credits in the Discipline Major.
For the Bachelor’s degree with Research (in the single discipline) the student will write a Dissertation under supervision. They be required to take 8 DSEs in the entirety of the programme. Total : 162 credits)
Abbreviations and types of academic courses
The following types of courses/academic engagements are envisaged in the AUD UGCF:
- Discipline specific core (DSC): These are the compulsory discipline specific courses.
- Elective (EL): DSC of a discipline other than the student’s major.
- Discipline specific elective (DSE): These are elective discipline specific courses.
- Generic elective (GE): These are courses that are interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary in nature.
- Ability enhancement
- Ability enhancement compulsory (AEC): These will be the compulsory ability enhancement courses. (English, Hindi and Environment)
- Ability enhancement optional (AEO): These are optional ability enhancement courses and could cover sustainable development, global citizenship, courses like Understanding India, Introduction to Social Sciences and Humanities, Nature of Science, Logic and Reasoning etc.
- Skills enhancement (SE): These will be a basket of courses aimed at improving skills and fostering vocational training. These could include courses on Python Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis amongst others that come from vocational training.
- Value based education (VBE): These will be a basket of courses aimed at imparting value- based education. These could include courses on Happiness, Yoga, Health and Well-being, Desh Bhakti (Indian Constitution and Democracy) etc.
- Community engagement and service (CES): This will involve courses and field-based engagements developed by the Centre for Outreach and Extension.
Courses
|
Semester |
Discipline Specific Core (DSC) Discipline Specific Electives (DSE) |
|
1 |
DSC 1: Literatures of the Indian Subcontinent |
|
2 |
DSC2: Literatures of the Renaissance |
|
2 |
DSC 3: The Romantic Age |
|
3 |
DSC 4: The Epic |
|
3 |
DSC 5: American Literature |
|
3 |
DSC 6: Introduction to Drama |
|
4 |
DSC 7: Folk, Oral, Indigenous, Popular Cultures |
|
4 |
DSC 8: Genres of Fiction |
|
4 |
DSC 9: Understanding Poetry |
|
5 |
DSC 10: Modernism |
|
5 |
DSC 11: Literary Theory |
|
5 |
DSE 1: Indian and World Literatures |
|
5 |
DSE 2: Issues of Gender in Indian Literary Texts |
|
6 |
IKS: Reading Mahabharata |
|
6 |
DSC 12: Literature and Cinema |
|
6 |
DSC 13: Postcolonial Literatures |
|
6 |
DSE 3: Written for Children and Young Adults |
|
6 |
DSE 4:Modern Movements in Arts |
|
6 |
DSE 5: Literary Translation in India |
|
7 |
DSC14:Theories of Marginality |
|
7 |
DSE 7: Understanding Cinema |
|
7 |
DSE 6: Reading Crime Fiction |
|
7 |
RM Introduction to Research Methods |
|
7 |
DSE 8: Introduction to Cultural studies |
|
8 |
DSC 15: Literary and Cultural Confluence in India |
|
8 |
Dissertation |
|
8 |
Seminar Course Study of a Folk Epic: The Legend of Ponnivala |
|
8 |
DSE 9: Dalit Literature |
|
8 |
DSE 10: Modern World Drama |
|
8 |
DSE 11: Latin American Literature |
|
8 |
DSE 12: Introduction to Science Fiction |
|
8 |
DSE 13: Postmodern Fiction |
PORTFOLIO
The English programme organizes a number of activities for students throughout their degree. These include talks by eminent writers, publishers and public figures, workshops related to academic and creative writing and educational trips to various places. The Literary Society is associated to the English programme and it too organises a number of literary events throughout the year.
- 1.A Writing Workshop by Dr Usha was organised on 8th May, 2023 by the English Programme Committee of School of Undergraduate Studies. The workshop focused on breaking down the process of writing an academic essay in an examination. Sample questions from previous year's papers were taken up, and students were asked to identify the crux of the questions and asked to elaborate on the points that they would need to address. It highlighted the difference between writing an academic essay for an exam and a term paper and identified the different strategies that students need to employ for both.
- 2. A workshop by Dr Kopal was organised on 1st May 2024 by the English Program Committee of the School of Undergraduate Studies. The workshop was aimed at helping students with essential skills for writing quality academic papers. The objective was to introduce students to the structure and components of an academic paper, formulate thesis statements, enhance the literature review, familiarise them with proper citations, and avoid plagiarism. The workshop activities helped students develop clear and coherent points about writing their academic papers while considering the dos and don’ts of academic writing.
- 3. A talk by Prof Rukmini Bhaya Nair, (retired Professor, IIT Delhi) titled “Poetry during the time of a global pandemic” was organised on 10th May, 2023 by the English Program of School of Undergraduate Studies. The talk presented the theme of human empowerment in the age of technology as a G20 theme. It argued that poetry, as a form of creative expression, can play a key role in empowering individuals to find meaning and purpose in difficult times, as well as in fostering a sense of community and connection.
- 4. A talk by Prof Simi Malhotra (Head of Department, Department of English, Jamia Millia Islamia) was organized on 25th April, 2023 by the English Program of School of Undergraduate Studies. The talk presented the participation and leadership of women in India since early 19th century to the contemporary times
The Programme outcomes of the undergraduate English programme at the University are:
- Literature's Societal Significance: Graduates will demonstrate an appreciation for literature's multifaceted role in society, recognizing its capacity for cultural reflection, social critique, and transformative influence.
- Global Literary Perspective: Through exposure to literature from diverse cultural contexts in English translation, students will develop a broad and nuanced perspective, enhancing their understanding of global literary traditions and socio-historical contexts.
- Relevance and Interventional Competence: The program will cultivate students' ability to appreciate literature's relevance and its potential to intervene in social, cultural, and political discourses, empowering them to engage critically with contemporary issues.
- Critical Inquiry Skills: Graduates will develop advanced critical thinking skills, enabling them to interrogate, analyze, and interpret literary texts, theories, and contexts with depth and sophistication.
- Exploration of Literary Diversity: Students will explore various genres, forms, and periods of literature across global traditions, fostering an appreciation for literary diversity, innovation, and evolution over time.
- Historical and Cultural Awareness: The program will foster a deep understanding of historical and cultural contexts within which literature is produced, enabling students to situate literary works within broader socio-cultural narratives.
- Interdisciplinary Engagement: Graduates will engage with interdisciplinary perspectives, drawing connections between literature and disciplines such as history, psychology, sociology, and gender studies, enriching their holistic understanding of human experience and knowledge.
- Effective Communication and Expression: Students will develop advanced communication skills, both written and oral, facilitating the articulation of complex ideas, interpretations, and analyses with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
- Ethical and Inclusive Practices: The program will promote ethical and inclusive practices in students' engagement with literature and society, fostering a commitment to academic integrity, social responsibility, diversity, and inclusivity.
The graduate students will be able to:
- appreciate the role of literature in society
- exhibit familiarity with major literary works, genres, periods, and critical approaches to British, American, and post-colonial literatures
- employ critical reading strategies, disciplinary writing expertise, and sophisticated analytical skills in their written and oral communication
- critically and analytically read works of literature produced in different cultures during different times
- write sophisticated and original argument on a specialized topic
- gather, understand, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of written and electronic sources
What is the minimum eligibility requirement for this programme?
Candidates are admitted through merit from the CUET examination.
What is the duration of the programme?
This is a four-year programme with the option of multiple exits after one year ( Certificate), two years ( Diploma), three years (UG Degree), and four years ( UG Degree with Honours/Research, subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria for Research Degree).
How is it positioned in relation to other similar programmes in the field?
Similar programmes in the field still offer predominantly British literature courses. B.A Honours in English in the university has decided to dismantle this hierarchical pattern and seeks to decolonize literature. Therefore, while there are courses on British literature, many more courses focus on world literature in English translation.
What are the professional trajectories that the graduates of the programme may pursue?
Many of the students opt to do a B.Ed. or an M.A after a B.A in English. Since English as a discipline is interdisciplinary and the B.A programme at the university is broad-based, students can also choose to go for Masters in other disciplines such as Psychology, History, Sociology, Gender Studies and so on. Students can also take up jobs in teaching and research oriented projects, publishing, journalism, advertisement, public relations, technical writing, technical editing, film studies, script and screenplay writing and other creative writing jobs.