BAGALKOT UNIVERSITY, JAMKHANDI

B.A.OPTIONAL ENGLISH SYLLABUS

For Undergraduate Programmes:

STATE EDUCATION POLICY

CHOICE BASED CREDIT SYSTEM

(w.e.f. 2024-25 onwards)
 BA PROGRAMME SEMESTER I AND II
Course: Optional English
Paper: Exploring English Literature - I

Marks
Teaching
Course Credit Sem Tota Duration
Sem Title of the Paper Hours/Wee
Code s End IA l of Exam
k
Exam
Exploring English
I Literature –I (Opt 5 5 80 20 100 3 Hrs
English)
Exploring English
II Literature –II (Opt 5 5 80 20 100 3 Hrs
English

Course Objectives:
1. Literary Appreciation: Developing an appreciation for literature forms a core aspect
of the course. Students study a wide range of literary genres, periods, and traditions,
from classical to contemporary literature, including poetry, drama, fiction, and non-
fiction.
2. Critical Thinking and Analysis: Engaging with literary texts encourages critical
thinking and analytical skills. Students learn to analyze themes, characters, narrative
techniques, and cultural contexts, fostering deeper insights into the texts they study.
3. Cultural and Historical Contexts: Understanding the cultural and historical contexts
in which literature is produced and received is essential. This includes exploring how
literature reflects and shapes societies, ideologies, and identities.
4. Interdisciplinary Connections: Exploring interdisciplinary connections with fields
such as history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and gender studies enriches
students' understanding of literature and its broader implications.
5. Career Readiness: While fostering a love for literature and language, the course also
prepares students for diverse career paths. Graduates may pursue careers in education,
publishing, journalism, media, content writing, public relations, advertising, and other
fields that require strong communication and analytical skills.
6. Personal Development: Beyond academic and career-related skills, the course aims to
nurture students' intellectual curiosity, creativity, and cultural awareness, fostering
lifelong learning and personal growth.

Course Outcomes:
1. Literary Knowledge and Understanding:
• Knowledge of major literary genres, periods, movements, and authors.
• Understanding of literary techniques, styles, and forms.
• Familiarity with significant literary works from diverse cultural and historical
contexts.
2. Critical Thinking and Analysis:
• Ability to analyze and interpret literary texts critically.
• Skills in evaluating arguments and evidence presented in literary criticism.
• Capacity to engage in independent and critical inquiry.
3. Writing Proficiency:
• Ability to write clear, coherent, and well-structured literary essays and papers.
• Competence in crafting arguments and supporting them with evidence from
literary texts.
4. Cultural and Historical Context:
• Understanding of the cultural, social, political, and historical contexts that
shape literary production and reception.
• Awareness of literary texts as reflections of societal values, ideologies, and
identities.
5. Interdisciplinary Connections:
• Ability to recognize and explore interdisciplinary connections between
literature and other fields such as history, philosophy, sociology, etc.
6. Professional and Personal Development:
• Preparation for diverse career paths in fields such as education, publishing,
media, journalism, advertising, etc.
• Cultivation of skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership.
• Promotion of lifelong learning, intellectual curiosity, and cultural awareness.
Year I Course Code: Credits 05

Sem. I Hours 60
BA SEMESTER I
Course Title:
OPTIONAL ENGLISH
PAPER: EXPLORING ENGLISH LITERATURE - I

Internal Assessment Marks: 20 Semester End Exam Marks : 80 Duration of Exam: 03hrs.
Unit No. Course Content Hours
Introduction to Literature 15
Unit I 1. Definition, Nature and Scope of Literature
2. Literature and Society
3. Literature and Culture
4. Literature and Science

Seeds and Roots of British Literature 15

Unit II 1. Socio-political and cultural background to British Literature
from 14th to 16th century
2. Chaucer’s Contribution
3. The Renaissance and Reformation
4. Elizabethan Poetry, Drama and Prose
5. Metaphysical and Cavalier Poetry
6. Puritan Prose and Poetry

Unit III Elizabethan Classic 15

1. Richard II – William Shakespeare
2. To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvell
The Pulley – George Herbert
Unit IV Literary Forms and Terms (1 hour / week; 20 Marks) 15
1. Literary Forms: Legends, Lyric, Ballad, Sonnet, Elegy,
Epic, free verse, Idyll.

2. Literary Terms: Allegory, Simile, Metaphor, Metonymy,

Personification, Pun, Soliloquy, Chorus, Climax,
Euphemism, Hyperbole, Irony, Paradox, Atmosphere,
Character, Imagery, Narrative technique, Plot and Setting.

Recommended Learning Resources

Reference:
Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms, Thomson Press (India) Ltd, 2019.
Cuddon, J .A. A Dictionary of Literary Terms. Viva Books, 1998.
Daiches, David. A Critical History of English Literature. Secker & Warburg, 1968.
Gray, Martin. A Dictionary of Literary Terms. Pearson, 2008.
Hudson, WH. An Introduction to the Study of Literature. Rupa, 2015.
Jespersen, 0. Growth and Structure of the English Language. Blackwell, 1991.
Kreutzer, James. Elements of Poetry. Macmillan, 1971.
Lemon, Lee T. A Glossary for Study of English. OUP, 1974.
Wood, F. T. An Outline History of the English Language. Macmillan, 2000.
Lamb, Charles. Tales from Shakespeare
Nayyar Pramod K. Studying Literature Orient Black Swan, New Delhi.
 Year I Course Code: Credits 05

Sem. II Hours 60
Course Title: BA
SEMESTER II
OPTIONAL ENGLISH
PAPER: EXPLORING ENGLISH LITERATURE - II

Internal Assessment Marks: 20 Semester End Exam Marks : 80 Duration of Exam: 03hrs.
Unit No. Course Content Hours
History of English Literature 17th
and 18th
century 15
Unit I 1. Socio- political and Cultural Background of Restoration and
Augustan Age
2. Restoration Poetry and Drama
3. Augustan Poetry and Prose
4. 18th Century Novel
5. Sentimental Comedy

Represetative Play 15
Unit II She Stoops to Conquer – Oliver Goldsmith

Unit III Prose Pearls 15

1. Sir Roger and Widow – Richard Steele
2. Man In Black – Oliver Goldsmith
3. Dream Children – Charles Lamb
4. On Going a Journey – William Hazlitt

Unit IV Literary Forms and Terms (1 hour / week; 20 Marks) 15

4.1. Literary Forms: Novel, Biography, Autobiography, Novella,
Essay, Comedy, Tragedy, Tragicomedy, and Farce. One Act play,
Mock epic
4.2. Literary Terms: Alliteration, Aphorism, Allusison,
Ambiguity,Carpediam, Catastrophe, Hamartia, Epigraph, Eupuism,
Expressionism and Symbolism

Recommended Learning Resources

Reference:
Reference Books
1. Andrew Sanders: The Short Oxford History of English Literature
2. Edward Albert: History of English Literature
3. Michael Alexander: A History of English Literature
4. G.M. Trevelyan: English Social History
5. Bibhash Choudhury: English Social and Cultural History
6. Nayyar Pramod K. Studying Literature Orient Black swan, New Delhi.