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MA English Literature: Syllabus, Subjects, 1st Year, 2nd Year, Colleges, Books

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Sounak Banerjee

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MA English Literature is a two-year postgraduate degree program that imparts education concerned with Literary Theory and Criticism, Linguistics, Semiotics, and different British literature genres. Candidates who have done a BA in English or equivalent with 50% aggregate marks from a recognized university are eligible for applying to the course. 

MA English Literature Admission is done on both merit and entrance exams. The top entrance exams for MA English Literature are NPAT, BHU UET, TISS BAT, IPU CET, JNUEE. Some colleges/Institutes also offer direct admission on the basis of merit.

Major subjects of MA English Literature are English novels, English poetry, English drama, English prose and essays, Indian writings in English. major sectors after ma English where students can get the job are the banking sector, teaching sector, Administrative sector, Police Jobs etc.

MA English Literature Course Details

Course Name Master of Arts in English
Course Level Postgraduate
Duration 2 Years
Admission Process Merit based and Entrance Exams
Top Entrance Exam NPAT, BHU UET, TISS BAT, IPU CET, JNUEE
Eligibility BA in English with 50% aggregate from a recognised university
Top Colleges IGNOU Delhi, SRM University Chennai, JMI Delhi, MSU Baroda, Christ University Bangalore, BHU Varanasi, LPU Jalandhar
Fees INR 40,000 - 50,000

MA English Literature Syllabus

Semester I Semester II
English Novel Irish Literature
English Drama Canadian Literature
English Poetry Native-American Literature
English Prose and Essays South African Literature
Literature in the 17th century American Literature
Literature in the 18th century African Literature
Literature in the 19th century Modernism and Post- Modernism
Romanticism, Neoclassicism Australian Literature
Semester III Semester IV
English in India: Sociological and Historical. Syntax and Structure
Literature in Indian English Linguistic Approach to Literature
Indian Writings in English Stylistic and Discourse Structure
Indian Writings Translated into English -
History of English Language -
Phonology and Morphology of the English Language -

MA English Literature Subjects

MA English Literature Syllabus is spread across 3 years and 6 semesters. The description of each of the subjects are mentioned below

MA English First Year Subjects 

  • English Novel: A novel is a prose narrative of significant length and complexity that deals with human experience.
  • Irish Literature: Irish literature is comprised of writings in Irish, Latin, English and Scots languages on the island of Ireland. The earliest recorded Irish writing was produced by monks.
  • South African Literature: It is the literature of South Africa and includes different languages such as Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana, Venda, Swazi, Tsonga and Ndebele and more.
  • Literature in the 17th century: It was a period of unceasing disturbance and violent storms which is no less in literature than in politics and society. 
  • Romanticism, Neoclassicism: Neoclassicism focuses on objectivity, reason, and Intellect and romanticism focus on human creativity, nature, and feelings. 
  • Australian Literature: Australian literature is the written work produced in the area by the people of the Commonwealth of Australia and its preceding colonies.

See Also: Spoken English Course

MA English Second Year Subjects 

  • English in India: Sociological and Historical: The English language was introduced to India in the 17th century. English businessmen came to India as traders. After British rule, English remained in use in India.
  • Syntax and Structure: Syntax is known as the grammatical structure of sentences. The format in which words and phrases are arranged is called syntax. 
  • Indian Writing in English: Indian English literature is the body of work by writers in India who write in the English language and whose native language could be one of the numerous languages spoken and written in India.
  • History of English Language: English is a West Germanic language, originated from Ingvaeonic languages brought to Britain by Anglo-Saxon migrants
  • Phonology and Morphology of the English Language: Phonology is the study of sounds and sound systems in languages and Morphology deals with the words in a language. 

See Also: English Courses

IGNOU MA English literature syllabus

1st Year
British Poetry
British Drama
British Novel
Aspects of Language
2nd Year
Literary Criticism and Theory
Optional Courses(Student need to choose any three) -
  • American Literature
  • New Literature in English
  • Australian Literature
  • English Studies in India
  • American Novel
  • A survey course in 20th Century Canadian Literature
  • Writing from the margins
  • Contemporary Indian Literature in English translation
  • Comparative Literature: Theory and Practice
  • Indian Folk Literature

MA English Literature Syllabus Vikram University

Semester I Semester II
Poetry Poetry
Drama Drama
Fiction Fiction
Prose Prose
Indian Writings In English- Poetry Indian Writings In English- Novel
African Literature Caribbean Literature
Semester III Semester IV
Critical Theory Critical Theory
English Language English Language
Amrican Literature Amrican Literature
Indian Writing In English Indian Writing In English
Commonwealth Liteature In English Commonwealth Liteature In English
Special Studies (Shakespeare) Commonwealth Liteature In English

JNVU MA English Literature Syllabus

Semester I Semester II
Literary Criticism I Literary Criticism II
American Literature I American Literature II
Elementary Linguistics English Grammar & Composition
English Poetry : Chaucer to Donne Marvell to Collins
Semester III Semester IV
Drama: Shakespeare to Restoration Modern Drama
English Poetry: The Romantics & Victorians English Poetry: Victorians & Moderns
Fiction I Fiction II
Indian English Literature I Indian English Literature II
Post-colonial Literature in English I Post-colonial Literature in English II

MA English Literature Books

Name of the Book Author
Doctor Faustus Christopher Marlowe
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning John Donne
An Introduction to the Pronunciation of English. A.C.Gimson
A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry Geoffrey Leech
Spoken English for India. R.K.Bansal and J.B.Harrison
Indian Writings in English. K.R.S.Iyengar
History of Indian English Literature M.K.Naik

MA English Literature: FAQs

Ques. What is MA English Literature?

Ans. MA English Literature is a two-year postgraduate degree program which imparts education concerned with Literary Theory and Criticism, Linguistics, Semiotics, and different British literature genres.

Ques. Who can do MA English Literature?

Ans. Students who have done BA in English or equivalent with 50% aggregate marks from a recognised university.

Ques. What are the Job options after MA English?

Ans. Job options after MA English:

  • Lecturer.
  • Anchor.
  • Magazine or newspaper editor.
  • Writer.
  • PR.
  • Copywriter.
  • Social service.
  • Librarian.

Ques. What is the average salary of a MA in English graduate?

Ans. MA English Graduate can get a minimum salary of INR 3 to 4 LPA, it will change with experience, skills, and capabilities to work.

Ques. What are the subjects in MA English Literature?

Ans. Some of the MA English Literature subjects are:

  • English Novel
  • English Poetry
  • English Drama
  • English Prose and Essays
  • Indian writings in English.

Ques. What are the project topics of MA English Literature?

Ans. Project topics of MA English Literature:

  • Dream, Fantasy & Realism In Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children
  • Thesis & Anti-thesis In George Bernard Shaw
  • Biographies of Gandhi In English
  • How To Do A Critique of Midnight’s Children?

Ques. What are the top colleges for MA English Literature?

Ans. The top colleges/universities for MA English Literature are IGNOU Delhi, SRM University Chennai, JMI Delhi, MSU Baroda, Christ University Bangalore, BHU Varanasi, and LPU Jalandhar.

Ques. Is it worth doing MA English Literature?

Ans. Yes, because this program allows the students to explore about literature from different countries like America, Canada, Australia, France, etc. It is very valuable as it can generate a variety of skills.

Ques. What are the top entrance exams for MA English Literature?

Ans. NPAT, BHU UET, TISS BAT, IPU CET, JNUEE are the top entrance exams for MA English Literature.

Ques. What can be done after MA english?

Ans. Students can either choose to pursue job or continue their studies after MA English. Major sectors after MA English are Banking Sector, Teaching sector, Administrative sector, Police Jobs etc. 

Ask your question

Answered Questions

RN

How do I prepare for the MA in English program at Delhi University entrance exam?

R

Ritu

09 Nov 22

It’s not too late to prepare for the entrance exam MA in English program at Delhi University even in the 3 years of your bachelor's. Just be regular at it and keep some important points in mind.

 

Be well versed in your BA course- Read your text thoroughly and in various aspects. Read diverse critical essays on each text to attain a multiplicity of perspectives. In case you are graduating from a different subject, refer to the BA(Hons.) DU syllabus.

 

Read History of English literature- Knowing the roots is a basic step. To get an idea of the basic chronology and ages refer to these books:

  1. A short history of English literature by Sir Ifor Evans.

  2. A brief history of English literature by Peck & Coyle.

 

Indian Literature in English- To get enough knowledge of the same refers to these books:

  1. A concise history of Indian literature in English by Arvind Mehrotra.

  2. Indian writing in English (4th edition) by K.R. Srinivasa.

 

Gain enough knowledge of literary theory & criticism- For this read:

  1. Beginning theory by Peter Barry

  2. Literary theory by Terry Eagleton

 

Update yourself with award-winning authors- This is not difficult if you read beyond your syllabus. Some of the awards to keep track of are:

  • The Nobel prize

  • The booker prize

  • Sahitya Akademi Award

  • Gyaanpith (for Indian regional literature translated into English)

  • Pulitzer Prize

Apart from these strategies, I suggest becoming an avid reader and reading beyond your syllabus, and also practicing writing book reviews. All this will help you make a way for the DU English Literature program.

...Show More
NR

How is the English MA course in IGNOU University?

PA

Padmini Alina

20 Oct 22

It is extremely convenient to pursue an M.A. in English through IGNOU. The only problem is that the course materials are delivered very late. However, you are not required to rely on or wait for the materials. Because the materials remain the same year after year, they can be obtained from anyone who has already completed the course or from used bookstores. To be honest, the material isn't much help. In fact, guidebooks are more beneficial because they also provide you with the previous year's question papers, which are extremely helpful in understanding the exam question pattern, and once understood, you are guaranteed to score above 55% on your first attempt.

You have five years to complete your course, which consists of eight credits, four in the first year and four in the second. It is mandatory to submit the assignment for the paper you wish to sit for during the exams, which are held twice a year. It is entirely up to you whether to take all exams at once or spread them out over all ten semesters. In short, if you are determined, you can complete your master's degree in two years by taking two papers each semester. Contact classes are scheduled; if possible, attend them as they will get you started on your preparation and keep you motivated. 

Doing some research for your assignment and attempting to keep your answer original rather than copying from the guide will increase your chances of getting good grades on the assignments. If you fail a paper in the semester exam, you have the option of retaking it in subsequent semesters until you achieve a passing mark.

So, get the reference books, analyze the question pattern, turn in your assignment, and begin studying for the exam.

...Show More
VJ

How can I score well in IGNOU, M.A. English course?

MD

Mahesh Desai

21 Oct 22

When it comes to study material, IGNOU definitely provides the best. The course is lucid, well-written, and informative and contains a summary of all important details. The quality of the study material makes it possible for you to solely rely on it and give exams. 

But if you are aiming for some brownie points, then there is an additional tip for you. Download MA English question papers of the past 5 years. Going through these papers will instil in you a confidence and general picture of the paper. You will also discover the important questions that are repeated almost every year and can focus more on those questions. Basically, this method will enable you to approach your exam a bit more confidently and well-prepared.

...Show More
AN

Is EFLU, Hyderabad good for pursuing an M.A. in English, if one has gotten a degree in English from DU? What is its ranking among the top universities for humanities?

VG

Vinit Ghose

15 Jul 21

EFLU is an exclusive university for English. There are 29 departments, out of which 20 are in English. With so many micro-specialties, pursuing an MA in English from EFLU is a great option.

The university gives a lot of freedom in choosing subjects in post-graduation.

  • Post-graduation applicants get a pool of subjects to choose from in their degree at EFLU.
  • EFLU conducts only one entrance test for admission in all streams. If you clear the entrance test you will get the chance to choose whichever subject you want to pursue.
  • You can either choose all subjects from one department only or select subjects from several departments if you want to have a mixed degree. Even, you are allowed to change subjects till two weeks of the course.
  • The linguistic department of EFLU is very famous all over India, because of its quality of education. It has a world-class set of faculties in the department, along with an extensive library for helping students in their coursework.
  • The literature department of EFLU is not as good as other central universities in India. Although there are excellent professors here too, the scope for students in literature is limited.

Considering the quality of the linguistics department in EFLU, it is a great option for English graduates. Because of the cafeteria system of choosing subjects, there is a lot of diversity in the department.

...Show More
RN

How good is an MA in English from IGNOU?

AN

Amal Nair

28 Oct 22

We have listed below some significant reasons why you should pursue MA in English from IGNOU:

  • The study material for this course is very short and simple

  • The content is designed to facilitate self-study

  • Affordable Fees (INR 14,000) for the entire course including books

  • It is a reputed university with nationwide recognition 

  • IGNOU’s degrees are valid across India and are recognized by UGC.

  • MA in IGNOU will enable you to multitask alongside the course in 2 years

  • You are free to not attend any kind of classes

MA English from IGNOU is a very easy course and is valid for all other courses like PhD NET and BEd.

...Show More
SD

What is the syllabus for the entrance exam for M A English from DU?

RS

Ranveer Sanghi

10 Oct 22

The Pattern for M.A English Entrance Exams for University of Delhi is elaborated below:

  1. The entrance exam lasts 90 minutes and is designed to assess the candidate's command of the English language.

  1. The entrance exam will be divided into three sections.

  2. The first section consists of 60-mark objective model questions.

  3. The second section will be based on a passage of prose or verse and will include 20-point questions.

  4. A short essay model question is included in the third section (based on a general literary topic). This section also carries 20 points, for a total of 100 points for the entire test.

3. Admissions are made in order of merit based on performance in the entrance exam.

You are required to revisit your graduation studies, and if you have access to the previous year's papers, solve some of them before taking the exam.

...Show More
MB

What are some good books for the MEG course(MA in English) of IGNOU?

VK

Varun Kumar

20 Oct 22

The study materials provided by IGNOU are more than enough. They are very helpful as they are loaded with more quality information than other books. Buying extra books will be just an additional unnecessary expense that you can easily cut down on.

Nowadays English Literature students should turn to online study guides. They are the best options. Some famous sites are listed below:

  • Sparknotes

  • Cliffsnotes

  • Jiffynotes

These sites will give students a better understanding of school subjects. Apart from this, there are certain points you need to keep in point for the best results:

  1. Read a lot.

  2. Make extensive notes.

  3. Ask doubts.

  4. Do extra research 

  5. Prove and validate your point clearly.

These points combined with the study material will yield good benefits.

...Show More
A

What are passing marks in the IGNOU MEG?

S

Sunil

02 Nov 22

Some basic information on IGNOU MEG is as follows:

Minimum Duration 

2 year

Maximum Duration 

5 years

Course fees

INR 9000

Minimum Age

No limit

Maximum Age

No limit

For marks the weightage is as follows- Assignments: 30% and Theory: 70%

The minimum pass percentage required for passing both these components separately is 40% (‘D’ grade). Anything below this is considered a failure and you will see the “Incomplete” status on the grade card.

The grade card is as follows:

  • 60% and above First Division

  • 50% and above but below 60% Second Division

  • 40% and above but below 50% Pass

  • Less than 40% Unsuccessful

The exam board of IGNOU will be issuing passing marks out of 100, 70 and 50 for all subjects in the official site.

...Show More
AM

How do I write a good answer in the exam of a Master of Arts English MEG at IGNOU and other universities?

AM

Anu Mehta

03 Nov 22

Here are two of the major points that are helpful in writing a good answer in the exam for an MA in English:

  • The answer must start with an excellent introduction to the writer and the text. Then, there should be good content, sticking to the point. The answer must end with an eminent conclusion. 

  • The answer must not be written in a storytelling way. Students are supposed to answer what the question is asking them to explain, the theme, the character, and the point of view attached to the question.

Whatever answer students write, it must be revolving around giving proper reasons, perspectives, and possible central ideas that a question is trying to ask. The answer must not be diverting and stretching, without providing any appropriate conclusion.

...Show More
RD

How do I prepare for MA in English from Ambedkar University, Delhi?

DR

Dabojyoti Roy

18 Jan 22

In the entrance test for MA in English at Ambedkar University, there will be questions that will test your analytic skills. You will have to analyze an unseen poem or passage. Also, there will be short questions. Some of these questions will be opinion based while others will test your subject knowledge. 

For preparation, you can read ‘A glossary of literary terms’ by M.H Abrams, Contemporary Literary and Cultura; Theory: From Structuralism To Ecocriticism by Pramod K Nayar. Also, read a little bit about Indian English Literature, Postcolonial literature, partition literature, etc. 

...Show More

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