BA 1st Year English Literature Syllabus, Subjects, Semester, Skills, Books

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BA English Literature subjects in 1st year are History Of Literature And Philology, Indian Writing In English, European Classical Literature, British Poetry And Drama (14th – 17th Century), Environment Study, Communicative English etc. 

Top skills required for BA 1st Year English Literature are Strong communication skills, Attention to detail, Research skills, Time management skills etc. 

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Top authors who are followed in BA 1st year are Otto Jespersen, C.L. Wren, A.C. Baugh, C.L. Barber, S.H. Butcher, T.S. Dorsch, Raja Rao, Salman Rushdie, Meenakshi Mukherjee etc. 

BA English Literature 1st Year Syllabus

The first year of BA English Literature consists of two semesters - the first and second. Each semester lasts for four to six months. The syllabus for both semesters is listed below.

BA English Literature Sem 1 Subjects BA English Literature Sem 2 Subjects
History Of Literature And Philology Indian Writing In English
European Classical Literature British Poetry And Drama (14th – 17th Century)
Environment Study Communicative English

BA English Literature 1st Year Subjects

The subjects in the first semester of BA English Literature are History of Literature and Philology, European Classical Literature, and Environmental Study.

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The subjects in the second semester of BA English Literature are Indian Writing in English, British Poetry and Drama (14th - 17th Century), and Communicative English.

BA English Literature Semester 1 Subjects

  • History of Literature and Philology: The topics covered in this subject are Old English Heroic Poetry, Old English Prose and Chaucer, Elizabethan Sonnets, University Wits and Ben Jonson, Restoration Comedy of Manners and Eighteenth Century, Pre-Romantic Poetry and Romantic Non-fiction Prose, Victorian Novel and the Pre-Raphaelites, Modern Novel, Modern Poetry, and Modern Drama.
  • European Classical Literature: The topics covered are Social and intellectual background, Homer, The Iliad, Sophocles, Oedipus the King, Ovid, Selections from Metamorphosis, 'Bacchus', Plautus, and Pot of Gold.

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BA English Literature Semester 2 Subjects

  • Indian Writing in English: Poetry - 'To India, My Native Land' by Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, 'Our Casuarina Tree' by Toru Dutt, 'Introduction' by Kamala Das, 'River' by A.K. Ramanujam, 'Enterprise' by Nissim Ezekiel, and 'Dawn at Puri' by Jayanta Mahapatra. Short Stories - 'Swimming Lessons' by Rohinton Mistry, 'Eyes Are Not Here' by Ruskin Bond, and 'Two Lady Rams' by Mulk Raj Anand. Drama - Bravely Fought the Queen by Mahesh Dattani.
  • British Poetry and Drama (14th - 17th Century): Poetry - 'Wife of Bath's Prologue' by Geoffrey Chaucer, 'One Day I Wrote Her Name' by Edmund Spenser, Sonnets 18 & 130 by William Shakespeare, 'The Good Morrow' by John Donne, 'To His Coy Mistress' by Andrew Marvell. Drama - Edward II by Christopher Marlowe, Macbeth by William Shakespeare, As You Like It by William Shakespeare.

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Skills Required for Studying BA English Literature

  • Strong communication skills: BA English Literature involves extensive reading, writing, and critical analysis of literary texts. Therefore, it is crucial to have excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate your thoughts effectively.
  • Attention to detail: Studying literature requires a keen eye for detail. You must pay close attention to the language, themes, symbols, and literary techniques used in the texts.
  • Research skills: BA English Literature involves conducting research on literary topics. Therefore, it is essential to have good research skills to find relevant information and sources to support your arguments.
  • Time management skills: BA English Literature involves reading and analyzing a vast amount of texts and completing assignments on time. Therefore, you must have excellent time management skills to prioritize your workload and meet deadlines.
  • Passion for literature: Finally, a passion for literature is essential for studying BA in English Literature. It would help if you had a genuine interest in reading, analyzing, and discussing literary works to succeed in this program.

See Also

Books in 1st Year BA English Literature

Subjects Books Authors
History Of Literature And Philology Growth and Structure of the English Language Otto Jespersen
The English Language C.L. Wren
A History of English Language A.C. Baugh
The Story of Language C.L. Barber
European Classical Literature Aristotle's Theory of Poetry and Fine Art S.H. Butcher
Aristotle/Horace/Longinus: Classical Literary Criticism T.S. Dorsch
Indian Writing In English Foreword to Kanthapura Raja Rao
Commonwealth Literature does not exist Salman Rushdie
Divided by a Common Language’ Meenakshi Mukherjee
A Concise History of Indian Writing in English Arvind Krishna Mehrotra
British Poetry And Drama (14th – 17th Century) Pico Della Mirandola, excerpts from the Oration on the Dignity of Man James Bruce Ross and Mary Martin McLaughlin
Predestination and Free Will John Calvin
Longing for Beauty Baldassare Castiglione
An Apology for Poetry Philip Sidney

BA 1st Year English Literature Syllabus: FAQs

Ques. What is scope of English Literature?

Ans. The scope of English Literature is vast, including analyzing and interpreting literary texts, teaching English language and literature, working in the media and publishing industry, pursuing a career in creative writing, or continuing further studies in related fields such as linguistics, cultural studies, and communication.

Ques. What are the subjects in BA English Literature 1st year?

Ans. There are 6 subjects in BA English Literature in 1st year. They are History of Literature and Philology, European Classical Literature, Environmental Study, Indian Writing in English, British Poetry and Drama (14th - 17th Century), and Communicative English.

Ques. What we learn from BA English literature?

Ans. In BA English literature, students learn to analyze and interpret literary texts, gain a deeper understanding of language and literature, develop critical thinking and analytical skills, improve writing and communication skills, and broaden their cultural and historical knowledge.

Ques. What is the use of studying BA English?

Ans. Studying BA English can provide you with a broad range of skills that are transferable and valuable in various industries. It helps develop critical thinking, analytical, research, writing, and communication skills.

Ques. What is literature in BA 1st year?

Ans. The subjects of BA English Literature are History of Literature and Philology, European Classical Literature, Environmental Study, Indian Writing in English, British Poetry and Drama (14th - 17th Century), and Communicative English.

Ques. What is the difference between BA English and BA English literature?

Ans. BA English typically covers a broader range of topics related to the English language and its usage, including grammar, linguistics, and communication skills. On the other hand, BA English literature focuses specifically on the study of literature in the English language, including its history, genres, and authors.

Ques. What is the full form of BA in literature?

Ans. The full-form BA in literature is a Bachelor of Art in Literature.

Ques. How many semesters are there in BA English?

Ans. There are 6 semesters in BA English.

Ques. Is BA English literature good?

Ans. Whether BA English Literature is good or not depends on various factors such as your interests, career goals, and personal preferences. Overall, pursuing a BA in English Literature can be a rewarding experience for those interested in the field and can offer a range of career opportunities.

Ques. How many subjects are there in BA English Literature?

Ans. There are six subjects in the first year of BA English Literature. 

Bachelor of Arts [BA] (English Literature) : 37 answered questions

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Ques. Is there any entrance exam for BA English hons in Amity University, Lucknow?

● Top Answer By Vinima Bhola on 01 Jul 25

Ans. No, there is no entrance exam for BA English (Hons) at Amity University, Lucknow. Step Details Eligibility 10+2 (any stream) with at least 55% aggregate marks in the relevant discipline. Entrance Exam Not required; CUET is  not  mandatory for BA English (Hons). Selection Based on 12th marks (merit) and a mandatory personal interview. Application Apply online via Amity University Lucknow website; application fee is 1,500. Documents 10th & 12th marksheets/certificates, passport photos, ID proof, and other standard docs. Duration 3 years (6 semesters). Admission Status Admissions open for 2025–26 session Fees for BA English Year Tuition Fee (INR) 1st Year 82,000 2nd Year 82,000 3rd Year 82,000 Total 2,46,000Read more
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Ques. How is Amity University, Gurgaon for English honours?

● Top Answer By Atul Pandey on 29 Nov 22

Ans. Amity University, Gurgaon has established global standards in education, training, and research, as well as cutting-edge infrastructure and teaching methodologies. The overall campus life is very exciting and vibrant, with students involved in a variety of activities that allow them to constantly reinvent themselves, handle new situations and technology, understand people management skills, and experiment with new things, preparing them to become not only accomplished professionals but also good human beings. According to the most recent report, 375 companies participated and offered various job roles to students in industries such as advertising, banking and finance, consulting, media and entertainment, and so on. There were 209 new recruiters and 106 repeat recruiters among the total number of recruiters who participated. Abbott, Accenture, Adobe, Amazon, Capgemini, Adani, Cognizant, and others were among the top Amity University Gurgaon recruiters in 2022. After completing English Honors, students can expect to earn INR 2.5 LPA on average. Students also gain exposure through journals and research papers, which aids them in obtaining government jobs. Teachers are highly qualified, supportive, and have extensive teaching experience. The course is simple, and scholarships are available to students. Teachers are extremely beneficial in all situations. This course allows you to pursue your passion while also honing your skills in content writing and literature. You are effectively taught to improve your learning and communication skills.Read more
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Ques. What are the minimum marks required to get admitted to Calicut University for a BA in English literature?

● Top Answer By Priyank Jaiswal on 29 Oct 22

Ans. It is determined by the number of seats available at the college. Calicut University does not conduct exams properly, and your grades will not be corrected. This means that the student who studies the best in class and the student who did not study for the exam get nearly the same grade.  The university doesn't even properly correct the papers. It's also evident in newspaper articles about the majority of students failing a university exam. Your semester exams will be held on an irregular basis. That is, if you are in the third semester, you may write for the first semester.  Furthermore, if you fail at some point in the third semester and all of the other semesters succeed, it will take years for you to pass the exam because the supplementary exam is not given frequently.Read more
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Ques. What is the course structure for BA Eng in IGNOU??

● Top Answer By Pramod Mehra on 28 Oct 22

Ans. The course structure at IGNOU for BA English is very simple. You need to complete 48 credits in 3 years. This means 16 credits should be completed every year.  Every subject is allotted a specific course for example BEGE101, BEGE102, BEGE103, BEGE104, BEGE105, BEGE106, BEGE107 and BEGE108.Read more
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Ques. What is the syllabus for a BA in English Hons for IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Sheel Saurabh Balley on 21 Oct 22

Ans. IGNOU uses a credit system, and in order to get an Hons, a student must have 48 credits in that subject, which means taking 6 papers of 8 credits over the course of three years. In the case of English, below is a chart that includes the course name and code: BEGE 101 - From Language to Literature BEGE 102 - The Structure of Modern English BEGE 103 - Communication Skills in English BEGE 104 - English for Business Communication BEGE 105 - Understanding Prose BEGE 106 - Understanding Poetry BEGE 107 - Understanding Drama BEGE 108 - Reading the Novel You will notice that there are eight papers, each worth eight credits; students pursuing a major (Hons) should select any six of these eight papers (2 papers each year) Students can only take up to 48 credits in a single subject. Aside from the major papers, there are two compulsory courses in the first and second years: BSHF 101 and FST-1. Other elective courses must be chosen from the Program Guide's list or groups.Read more
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Ques. What is the admission process at Bachelor of Arts [BA] {Hons.} DIT University Dehradun?

● Top Answer By Ritik Chaudhary on 28 Oct 20

Ans. Because this is the best college and i know this college very well and education also because my brother also. Doin college from this collegeRead more
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Ques. What is the fees for Bachelor of Arts [BA] {Hons.} in DIT University Dehradun?

● Top Answer By Ritik Chaudhary on 28 Oct 20

Ans. Normal fees not to much a middle class man can easily handleRead more
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Ques. How is the course curriculum of Bachelor of Arts [BA] {Hons.} (English) in DIT University Dehradun?

● Top Answer By Ritik Chaudhary on 28 Oct 20

Ans. Because I want ba honoursRead more
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Ques. How are the placements for Bachelor of Arts [BA] (English) at St Xavier's Mumbai?

● Top Answer By Swati Anwesha on 26 Oct 20

Ans. Since my course did not have any placement opportunities specifically, I don??t know much about it. It was mostly beneficial to courses of economics, media and management.Read more
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Ques. How is the course curriculum of Bachelor of Arts [BA] (English) in St Xavier's Mumbai?

● Top Answer By Anonymous on 07 Jan 25

Ans. I was very clear since the beginning that i wanted to pursue BA as i want to do B.Ed ahead so BA English would br of great help. The course curriculum is good other than some aspects like poetry, not many people have keen interest and it's a difficult paper to attempt and scoreRead more
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