Department Overview

Head of Department: Prof. Pratibha Tyagi

The Department of English was established in July, 1978 and offers M.A. and M.Phil. Courses. The Department is actively engaged in research work leading to a Ph.D. degree in various areas like English Literature, American Literature, Indian Literature, and Canadian and Comparative Literatures. In 1991, the UGC allotted 13 centres to various universities in India for Canadian Studies. The Department of English was also allotted one centre for Canadian Studies which ran for almost a decade under the able guidance of Professor Manorama Trikha. The students of the Department have fared extremely well in various professions including Air Force, Army, Journalism, Civil Services and Teaching. During the last five years around 45 students have qualified NET and JRF.

English being a highly acclaimed global language invites special interest of the young and the promising students from all over the country. Today, it is no more a language of the British; it belongs to all who speak it. It has become a link language that has brought the globe under one umbrella. It is a well known fact that the rich tradition of English Literature has influenced the literatures of the world. With this view in mind the Department of English was established in July 1978 under the guidance of Professor TR Sharma, the founder Head of the Department.

The Department offers a two year M.A. programme in which the orientation is primarily towards not only the literature of British Isles and of America but also towards New Literatures, including Indian Writing in English. The Department has an M.Phil programme in which students are encouraged to explore fundamental issues in their respective areas of research. The Ph.D. programme is offered in all the areas of the competence of the faculty members of the Department.

The M.A./M.Phil courses in the Department have been thoroughly revised as these are regularly updated in the meetings of the Board of Studies organised by the Department from time to time. The Department also has a computer lab to make the students aware of technological uses in language learning. The resources for research in English are rich in various branches of English Literature. The Department has got a fairly large collection of books in its library.

The diverse research activities in the Department in British Literature, American Literature, Canadian Literature, Commonwealth Literature and Indian Writing in English ensure regular contributions from visiting speakers and create an academic environment.