BA in English Literature Syllabus: Subjects, Semester in Government and Private Colleges

• Updated on  Jul 17, 2025, by Anusmita Bhatta

BA in English Literature syllabus is divided into three years, six semesters that involve a combination of the study of classic and modern texts, literary theory and language skills. The students start with the basis of such courses as History of England Literature, English poetry (Elizabethan to Augustan), Prose, and Communicative English, forming the sphere of knowledge of English literature development and writing skills.

 

The curriculum of BA English Literature taught to the students gradually encompasses several genres like Victorian, modern, and American literature, Shakespearean comedies and tragedies, Indian Writing in English, and more. Advanced communication, language, and electives like media studies or even the autobiography will enable the course to concentrate in an area of interest.

 

The last year focuses on literary criticism, European fiction and modern literature which is accompanied by open electives and Life skills courses. The holistic nature motivates thinking, analysis, and excellence in communication and makes graduates ready to work in the field of teaching, writing, publishing, and so on.

 

Table of Contents

  1. BA in English Literature Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025
  2. BA in English Literature For Private Institute
  3. BA in English Literature Exam Pattern
  4. FAQs

 

BA in English Literature Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025

Literary theory, critical analysis, and the study of British literature from various eras are all covered in the BA in English Literature curriculum. For a more thorough education, students participate in practical coursework, seminars, and a variety of genres, such as poetry, drama, and prose. These components together provide a strong foundation in English literary studies at Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University.

Semester I

Semester II

Poetry I (Shakespeare to Blake)

Poetry II (Romantic Poets)

Drama I

Drama II

Semester III

Semester IV

Poetry III (Tennyson to Owen)

Poetry IV (Hopkins to Larkin)

Prose I (Bacon to Gardiner)

Prose II (Lucas to Anita Desai)

Semester V

Semester VI

Drama III

Indian English Literature (Fiction)

Linguistics

American Literature

Indian English Literature

Forms and Movements

 

BA in English Literature For Private Institute

Most private colleges in India provides similar curriculum for BA in English Literature program, below tabulated is the syllabus of BA English Literature at Jain university, Bangalore for a better understanding:

Semester I

Semester II

Communicative English

Professional Communication

Language Paper I

Language Paper II

History of English Literature: The Pre-Chaucerian to the Augustan

History of English Literature

English Poetry: The Elizabethan to the Augustan

English Poetry

English Prose: The Elizabethan to the Victorian

English Prose: The Late-Victorian to the Modern

Introduction to Computing

Indian Writing in English: Fiction

Cultural Education I

Cultural Education II

Semester III

Semester IV

Communicative English (Advanced)

History of English Language and Phonetics

History of English Literature: Victorian to the Present

Indian Writing in English: Poetry

American Literature

Shakespeare: Comedies

Biography

Environmental Studies

English Fiction: Victorian

Elective A

Life Skills I

Open Elective A

Amrita Value Programme I

Life Skills II

Amrita Value Programme II

-

Semester V

Semester VI

Elements of Literary Criticism

Literary Criticism: Introduction

English Poetry: Modern

European Fiction

English Drama: Elizabethan to Victorian

English Fiction: Modern

Spiritual Literature

English Drama: Modern

Elective B

Shakespeare: Tragedies

Open Elective B/Live-in-Lab

Autobiography

Life Skills III

-

 

BA in English Literature Exam Pattern

The BA in English Literature exam pattern, which is based on widely used schemes in top Indian universities, is shown below.

Components

Details

Theory Exams

Written exams per subject, generally 70–100 marks each; questions include essays, critical analyses, and passage-based questions.

Internal Assessment

Assignments, presentations, viva, and class tests throughout the semester; usually contribute 20–30% of marks.

Practical Components

Limited to papers involving creative writing, language labs, or non-literary skill-based electives (where applicable)

Project/Dissertation

A major dissertation or project is often required in the final year, assessed via written report and viva-voce.

Paper Structure

Question papers commonly feature a mix of long, analytical essays, short notes, passage explanation, and sometimes objective or short answer sections.

Exam Duration

Each written exam typically lasts 2–3 hours.

  • Every semester will deal with fundamental literary papers (like British, American, Indian and World Literature) including a combination of obligatory and optional ones. Marks allocation will often be a 70:30 or 80:20 division between end-exam and internal assessment.
  • The format of the majority of the theory papers is organized in five units. The first unit tends to involve mandatory questions of types based on passage, or references to context. The other papers are mostly in essay format about grand texts or authors or genres addressed during the semester
  • The internal marks are to be taken out of assignments, oral presentation, participation at the seminar and attendance. These may include creative assignments, or exams in the case of a skills based or language course paper.
  • Some universities include an original project or dissertation that tests the research skills and literary analysis at the end of which an oral viva or presentation is made.
  • Practical work or assessments involving laboratory work may also form part of internal assessment but only in limited instances (in instances like creative writing or digital humanities elective courses).

 

FAQs

What literary genres are studied in the BA in English Literature curriculum in detail?

Students learn to analyze poetry, drama, fiction, prose, autobiography and non-fiction works of such chronological periods as classic and modern works, British, American, Indian and world literatures.

How, and when, are elective papers provided in the BA in English Literature curriculum?

The electives become accessible usually in the 5 th semester where students can pick special subjects like creative writing, media studies, translation or women writing subject, depending upon what universities offer.

Which practical skill-oriented or communication-oriented courses are there in BA in English Literature curriculum?

In the first semesters, classes in academic writing, professional communication, language lab, public speaking, and digital literacy are commonplace.

Does the final year involve research projects, internships, or dissertation in the BA in English Literature curriculum?

Majority of the universities either have a research dissertation, minor project or optional internships/workshops as a 6 th semester requirement.

How is modern and world literature featured and British classics in the BA in English Literature syllabus?

Global perspectives may be found in the journal Papers on American, European, postcolonial, and Anglophone world literatures, frequently in the form of comparative or cross-cultural study.

In what way do the history and social context papers fit into the BA in English Literature curriculum?

The papers, such as History of English Literature, Social and Literary History, as well as Environmental Studies, present historical context and thus allow them to be placed in relation to times.

Do students engage with translation studies, regional literatures, or bilingual texts in BA in English Literature syllabus?

Literary exposure is expanded in some programs to include electives in translation studies or in Indian literature in English translation.

What is the role of seminars, tutorials, or interactive format in learning in BA in English Literature syllabus?

The pedagogy involves regular seminars, tutorials, presentations and discussions to build up the skills in analysis and communication as it is taught mostly by immediate hands on.

Does the BA in English Literature curriculum deal with gender and diversity?

Sure, classes or courses concerning women writing, gender studies and literature of marginalized groups are growing in popularity.

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