BA English Honors Syllabus, Subjects, 1st Year, Semester Wise, Year Wise, Core, Elective, Books

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Bachelor of Arts in English is a 3 year undergraduate program that deals with world literature and teaches us about politics, culture and society, its impact on the general public and evolution. The teaching methodology of BA English Honors is instructional material, learning- teaching etc. 

The syllabus of BA English Honors is vast as it consists of literature from around the world such as American Literature, European Literature etc. Some of the topics included are 20th-century American drama, contemporary literature, Anglo-American Writing etc. This course is a combination of drama, prose and poetry etc. 

See Also: English Courses

There are 2 types of elective subjects which are Discipline Centric Elective and Generic Elective. There is also Ability Enhancement Course and Ability Enhancement Elective Course. Students will need to complete 4 core and 2 elective subjects.       

Also Check:

BA English Honors Course Details

Tabulated below in the following table is the relevant information that will be necessary for the candidates to get an overview of the subject,

Degree Undergraduate
Full form Bachelor of Arts in English honors
Duration 3 years
Age Candidate must be minimum of 17 years or above
Minimum Eligibility Candidate must have scored a minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized board
Average Fees INR 3,000 - 65,000 
Average Salary INR 2.64 L - 4.77 LPA
Employment Roles Language Experts, Translation services, Event Management, Journalism, English Language Teacher, Literature Researchers, Author, Content Writer
Employment Sectors Public relations, advertising, marketing, editorial, content development, media and entertainment house, media services
Top Recruiters Seven Hills, Four Seasons, Collegedunia, Careers360, Upgrad, Tata Consultancy, J.W.Marriott.

BA English Honors Syllabus

The syllabus of BA English Honors is bifurcated into 6 semesters. The course helps in analyzing and understanding world literature and its impact on society. The course is a combination of the core as well as elective subjects which are more focussed on literature or theory. The detailed syllabus of BA English Honors is tabulated below for your reference, 

Semester I Semester II
English Literature 4(i) English Literature 4(ii)
Concurrent – Qualifying Language English Literature 1(i)
Twentieth Century Indian Writing (i) Twentieth Century Indian Writing (ii)
Concurrent – Credit Language -
Semester III Semester IV
English Literature 1(ii) English Literature 2(ii)
Nineteenth Century European Realism (i) Nineteenth Century European Realism (ii)
English Literature 2(i) English Literature 3(i)
Forms of Popular Fiction (i) Classical Literature (ii)
Classical Literature (i) Concurrent – Discipline Centered I
Concurrent – Interdisciplinary Forms of Popular Fiction (ii)
Semester V Semester VI
English Literature 3(ii) English Literature 5(ii)
Contemporary Literature (i) Anglo-American writing from 1930(ii)
English Literature 5(i) Contemporary Literature (ii)
Anglo-American Writing from 1930(i) Literary Theory (ii)
Women’s Writing of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Women’s Writing of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (ii)
Literary Theory (i) Concurrent – Discipline Centered II.
Modern European Drama (i) Modern European Drama (ii)

BA English Honors Subjects

BA English Honors is a 3-year undergraduate course that focuses on teaching the candidates about the literature of various places like American Literature, British Literature, Anglo-American Literature, Indian Literature, etc. These works comprise of prose, poetry, drama, short stories, articles, etc. and deal with various themes of love, hatred, fiction, freedom, feminism, patriotism, etc. Following are the main subjects for your reference:

  • American Literature
  • Popular Literature
  • Women’s Writings
  • British Poetry and Drama: 14th and 17th Centuries
  • British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th Centuries
  • British Literature: The Early 20th Century
  • Postcolonial literature

See Also: English Courses After 12th

BA English Honors Subjects First Year

  • Twentieth Century Indian Writing - This subject deals with the writings of Indian writers written during the first half of the 20th century and the different themes those writings deal with. 
  • Twentieth Century Indian Writing - This subject deals with the writings of Indian writers during the second half of the 20th century and the various themes and symbolism it entails. 
  • British Poetry and Drama: 14th and 17th Centuries- This subject focuses on the British Poetry and Drama that was written from the 14th to the 17th centuries.

See AlsoEnglish Courses Certificate 

BA English Honors Subjects Second Year

  • American Literature- This subject focuses on American Literature that was written by various American writers focusing on themes of patriotism, feminism, freedom, slavery, democracy, republicanism, etc. 
  • Popular Literature- This subject discusses the popular writings around the world that found an audience and popular support from the masses.
  • British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th centuries- This subject focuses on the British Poetry and Drama that was written in the 17th-18th centuries.

See AlsoEnglish for Beginners

BA English Honors Subjects Third Year

  • Women’s Writing- This subject focuses on the works that were written by women where they have dealt with various themes of submission, freedom, patriotism, feminism, etc. 
  • Partition Literature- This subject deals with the literature and works that were written during the time of partition of India in 1947. 
  • Travel Writing- These writings deal with the various travelogs that people have written describing their experiences and the beauty of foreign lands. 

See Also: German Language Courses

DU BA English Honors syllabus

Tabulated below is the detailed syllabus of BA English Honors at the University of Delhi for your reference,

Semester I Semester II
Indian Classical Literature Indian Writing in English
European Classical Literature British Poetry and Drama: 14th and 17th Centuries
Semester III Semester IV
American Literature British Literature: 18th Century
Popular Literature British Romantic Literature
British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th Centuries British Literature: 19th Century
Semester V Semester VI
Women’s Writing Modern European Drama
British Literature: The Early 20th Century Postcolonial literature
Any 2 of the following:
  • Modern Indian Writing in English Translation
  • Literature of the Indian Diaspora
  • British Literature: Post WOrld War II
  • 19th Century European Realism
  • Literary Criticism
  • Science Fiction and Detective Literature
Any 2 of the following:
  • Literature and Cinema
  • World Literatures
  • Literary Theory
  • Partition Literature
  • Research methodology
  • Travel Writing
  • Autobiography

General Elective (Any 4)

  • Academic Writing and composition
  • Media and Communication skills
  • Text and Performance
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Contemporary India; Women and Empowerment
  • Language, Literature and Culture
  • Readings on Indian Diversities and literary Movements

See AlsoFrench Language Course

Skills Enhancement Course (Any two)

  • English Language Teaching
  • Soft skills
  • Translation Studies
  • Creative writing
  • Business communication
  • Technical Writing

See Also: Foreign Language Courses

BA English Honors syllabus Calcutta University

Tabulated below is the detailed syllabus of BA English Honors at Calcutta University for your reference,

Semester I Semester II
History of Literature and Philology  Indian Writing in English 
European Classical Literature  British Poetry and Drama (14th – 17th century) 
Semester III Semester IV
American Literature  British Literature (18th century) 
Popular Literature British Romantic Literature
British Poetry and Drama (17th – 18th century)  19th Century British Literature 
Semester V Semester VI
Women's Writing  Modern European Drama 
Early 20th Century British Literature  Postcolonial Literature 

Discipline Specific Course:

  • Modern Indian Writing in English Translation 
  • Literary Theory 
  • Partition Literature
  • Literary Criticism 
  • Contemporary India: Women and Empowerment 
  • Autobiography 

Skill Enhancement Course:

  • Translation Studies 
  • Business Communication
  • Creative Writing
  • Academic Writing and Composition 

See Also: Spanish Language Course

BA English Honors Syllabus Presidency University

Tabulated below is the detailed syllabus of BA English Honors at Presidency University for your reference, 

Semester I Semester II
English Literature 17801830 (Poetry & Prose) English Literature 18301900 (Poetry & Prose)
Classical and Biblical Background to Eng Lit -
Semester III Semester IV
English Literature (Poetry, Prose & Drama) English Literature 16601780 (Poetry, Drama & Prose) 
English Literature 1660 - 1780 (Poetry, Drama & Prose)  Old and Middle English Literature
Semester V Semester VI
History of English Language Phonetics and Modern Linguistics
IWE Postcolonial Literatures
American Literature Criticism

BA English Honors syllabus Mumbai University

Discussed below is the syllabus of BA English Honors by Mumbai University for your reference,

Year I Year II
Indian Classical Literature British Literature: The Early 20th Century
European Classical Literature Postcolonial Literature
Indian Writing in English British Literatures: post World War
British Poetry and Drama: 14th and 17th century Literary Theory
British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th century Literary Criticism
British Literature: 18th Century Literature and Cinema
British ROmantic Literature -
British Literature: 19th Century -
Year III
World Literature Science Fiction and Defective Literature
Research Methodology 19th Century European Realism
Autobiography Literature of the Indian Diaspora

BA English Honors Syllabus BHU

Discussed below is the syllabus of BA English Honors by Banaras Hindu University for your reference,

Semester I Semester II
Introduction to Poetry and Related Literary Terms  Introduction to Drama and Related Literary Terms 
Introduction to Fiction and Related Literary Terms  Introduction to Prose 
English Phonetics and Grammar  Essentials of Communication
Compulsory I (One language other than English)  Compulsory II (The same Language as for Semester -I)
Elective- I Elective- II (Same as semester 1)
Semester III Semester IV
History of English Literature (1350-1660) History of English Literature (1660-1798) 
English Poetry (1350-1660)  English Poetry (1660-1798) 
English Drama (1350-1660)  English Drama and Prose (1660-1798)
English Prose (1350-1660)  English Drama and Prose (1660-1798)
Elective-III (The same Subject as for Semester - I) Elective-IV (The same Subject as for Semester - I)
Semester V Semester VI
History of English Literature (1798-1914)  History of English Literature (1914-1968)
English Poetry (1798-1914)  English Poetry (1914-1968)
English Novel (1798-1914)  English Novel (1914-1968) 
English Prose  English Drama (1798-1914) 
Elective-V (The same Subject as for Semester - I) Elective-VI (The same Subject as for Semester - I) 

BA English Honors syllabus at UGC

Discussed below is the syllabus of BA English Honors by University Grants Commission for your reference,

Semester I Semester II
Indian Classical Literature Indian Writing in English
European Classical Literature British Poetry and Drama: 14th and 17th Centuries
Semester III Semester IV
American Literature British Literature: 18th Century
Popular Literature British Romantic Literature
British Poetry and Drama: 17th and 18th Centuries British Literature: 19th Century
Semester V Semester VI
Women’s Writing  -
British Literature: The Early 20th Century  -
Any 2 of the following:
  • Modern Indian Writing in English Translation
  • Literature of the Indian Diaspora
  • British Literature: Post WOrld War II
  • 19th Century European Realism
  • Literary Criticism
  • Science Fiction and Detective Literature
Any 2 of the following:
  • Literature and Cinema
  • World Literatures
  • Literary Theory
  • Partition Literature
  • Research methodology
  • Travel Writing
  • Autobiography

General Elective (Any 4)

  • Academic Writing and composition
  • Media and Communication skills
  • Text and Performance
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Contemporary India; Women and Empowerment
  • Language, Literature and Culture
  • Readings on Indian Diversities and literary Movements

See AlsoSign Language Courses

Skills Enhancement Course (Any two)

  • English Language Teaching
  • Soft skills
  • Translation Studies
  • Creative writing
  • Business communication
  • Technical Writing

BA English Honors Books

There are many books that are available for BA English in both online and offline forms. These books offer in-depth knowledge of the subject and will help candidates learn about a topic in greater detail. Some of the books that can be referred for BA English Honors are mentioned below for your reference:

BA English Honors First Year Books

The Short Oxford History of English Literature  Andrew Sanders
History of English Literature  Edward Albert
A History of English Language  A.C. Baugh
Aristotle's Theory of Poetry and Fine Art S.H. Butcher
A Concise History of Indian Writing in English Arvind Krishna Mehrotra

BA English Honors Second Year Books

Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and Literary Imagination Toni Morrison
Beyond Appearances?: Visual Practices and Ideologies in Modern India Sumathi Ramaswamy
Super Culture: American Popular Culture and Europe Leslie Fiedler
The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli
A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage Jeremy Collier

BA English Honors Third Year Books

Norton Anthology of English Literature, 8th edn, vol. 2 John Stuart Mill
A Room of One's Own Virginia Woolf
Recasting Women: Essays in Colonial History Kumkum Sangari and Sudesh Vaid
Beginning Theory Peter Barry
Drama from Ibsen to Brecht Raymond Williams

Top Colleges for BA English Honors 

There are more than 4600 colleges in India offering BA English Honors course. More than 46% of the colleges are public colleges while the rest are private or deemed colleges. The average course fees of this course is around INR 3000 - 67,000. Some of the top colleges are tabulated below for your reference, 

BA English Honors Syllabus: FAQs

Ques. What are the subjects in BA English Hons.?

Ans. The important subjects of BA English Honors are:

  • European classical literature
  • British Literature
  • Women writing
  • Literature and caste.

Ques. Is BA English Honors tough?

Ans. No, BA English Honors is not tough at all provided candidates have interest in English Literature. If read carefully, it is one of the most interesting subjects.

Ques. Can I pursue BA English Hons for UPSC?

Ans. Yes , ofcourse, infact English is one of the optional subjects. Candidates can opt for it as it will be advantageous. 

Ques. Does English Honors have scope?

Ans. Yes, English Hons has a wide scope in both the private sector as well as public sector. 

Ques. What is the average salary of a BA English?

Ans. The average salary of a BA English graduate is INR 3.60 LPA. 

Ques. What is the starting salary after BA English?

Ans. The starting salary after completing BA English is around INR 3-4 LPA. But the salary also depends on various factors like experience, qualification, skills, job profile, locations, etc. 

Ques. What is the scope of BA English?

Ans. There is a lot of scope after BA English:

  • MA in English
  • MA in Journalism
  • MA in English Literature
  • Ph.D. in English
  • M.Phil. in English

Ques. What is the minimum age at which one can pursue BA English? 

Ans. Candidates aged 17 years and above are eligible for pursuing BA English provided they have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board with an aggregate of 50%.

Ques. Is it possible to go abroad after completing BA English?

Ans. Yes, one can go abroad to pursue Masters after BA English. One can also go abroad to pursue a job or internship.

Bachelor of Arts [BA] {Hons.} (English) : 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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