THE UNIVERSITY OF BURDWAN

Syllabus for B. A. General Programme

in
English
UNDER SEMESTER WITH CBCS
(Effective from 2017- 18)

Type Credits Number of Courses Total Credits

CC 6 Credits per Course (5 theory, 1 tutorial) 12 72
DSE 6 Credits per Course (5 theory, 1 tutorial) 4 24
GE 6 Credits per Course (5 theory, 1 tutorial) 2 12
AEC AECC 1 – 4 Credits, AECC 2 – 2 Credits 2 6
SEC 2 Credits per Course 4 8
Total 122

1
CORE COURSE (CC)

CC1A: Poetry & Short Story

CC1B: Essay, Drama & Novel
CC1C: Contemporary India: Women and Empowerment
CC1D: Academic Writing and Composition
Core Language (L1/1): Language, Variety and Stylistics
Core Language: (L1/2): Language, Imagination & Creativity

DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC ELECTIVE (DSE)

DSE1: British Literature OR Environment &Literature

DSE2: Indian Literature in Translation OR Literary Cross Currents

GENERIC ELECTIVE (GE) [For learners from other discipline(s)]

GE1: Gender & Human Rights

GE2: Environment & Literature

ABILITY ENANCEMENT COMPULSORY COURSE (AECC)

AECC - 1: Environmental Studies (to follow ENVS syllabus)

AECC - 2: Communicative English

SKILL ENHANANCEMENT COURSE (SEC)

SEC1: Translation Studies OR Creative Writing

SEC2: ELT OR Film Studies
SEC3: Technical Writing OR Business Communication
SEC4: Soft Skills OR Spoken English

2
 B.A. General Programme in English under CBCS
Structure at a Glance

Semester Courses Course type Credit Full Marks

Sem.- I Discipline- 1 (English) Core Course (CC-1A) 6 75
Discipline- 2 (other than Eng.) Core Course 6 75
English Language Core Language (L1-1) 6 75
ENVS AECC-1 4 100
Sem.- II Discipline- 1 (English) Core Course (CC-1B) 6 75
Discipline- 2 (other than Eng.) Core Course 6 75
Hindi/MIL Core Language (L2-1) 6 75
Communicative English/ MIL AECC-2 2 50
Sem.-III Discipline- 1 (English) Core Course (CC-1C) 6 75
Discipline-2(other than Eng.) Core Course 6 75
English Language Core Language (L1-2) 6 75
Skill Enhancement Course SEC-1 2 50
Sem.-IV Discipline- 1 (English) Core Course (CC-1D) 6 75
Discipline-2(other than Eng.) Core Course 6 75
Hindi/MIL Core Language (L2-2) 6 75
Skill Enhancement Course SEC-2 2 50
Sem.-V Discipline Specific Course (English) DSE- 1A 6 75
Discipline Specific Course DSE- 2A 6 75
Generic Elective (other than English) GE-1(Interdisciplinary) 6 75
Skill Enhancement Course SEC-3 2 50
Sem.-VI Discipline Specific Course(English) DSE- 1B 6 75
Discipline Specific Course DSE- 2B 6 75
Generic Elective (other than English) GE-2 (Interdisciplinary) 6 75
Skill Enhancement Course SEC- 4 2 50

3
 B.A General English Programme

SEMESTER - I

 CC-1A : POETRY & SHORT STORY

1. William Shakespeare: Sonnet 116 9(L) + 2(T)
William Wordsworth: “A Slumber did my Spirit Seal”
9(L) + 2(T)
2. John Keats – “Bright Star”
9(L) + 2(T)
Wilfred Owen – “Strange Meeting”
9(L) + 2(T)

3. Charles Lamb – “Dream Children” 18(L)+4(T)

4. H. E. Bates – “The Ox”
18(L)+4 (T)

72 Lectures+
16 Tutorials =
88

SEMESTER - II

 CC – 1B : ESSAY, DRAMA & NOVEL

1. George Orwell – “Shooting an Elephant’ 09(L)+2(T)

R. K. Narayan – “A Library without Books”
09(L)+2(T)
2. George Bernard Shaw – Arms and the Man 18(L)+4(T)
3. J. B. Priestley – An Inspector Calls
18(L)+4(T)
4. Ernest Hemingway – The Old Man and the Sea (ND) 18(L)+4 (T)

72 Lectures +
16 Tutorials
= 88

4
SEMESTER - IV

 CC – 1D : ACADEMIC WRITING AND COMPOSITION

1. Introduction to the Writing Process: Conventions of Academic 20(L) + 4(T)

Writing, Writing in one’s own words – Summarizing and
Paraphrasing
2. Critical Thinking: Syntheses, Analyses, and Evaluation
20(L) + 4(T)
3. Structuring an Argument: Introduction, Interjection, and
Conclusion 18(L) + 3(T)
4. Citing Resources, Editing, Book and Media Review
18(L) + 3(T)
Recommended Readings
1. Liz Hamp-Lyons and Ben Heasley, Study writing: A Course
in Writing Skills for Academic Purposes (Cambridge: CUP,
76 Lectures +
2006). 14 Tutorials =
90
2. Renu Gupta, A Course in Academic Writing (New Delhi: Orient
BlackSwan, 2010).
3. Ilona Leki, Academic Writing: Exploring Processes and Strategies
(New York: CUP,
2ndedn, 1998).
4. Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, They Say/I Say: The
Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (New York: Norton,
2009).
5. John M. Swales. Academic Writing for Graduate Students

7
 Core Language (L1/1)
SEMESTER - I
 CORE COURSE : (L1---1) Language, Variety and Stylistics

1. Language & Communication – distinctness of human language 18(L)+4(T)

2. Language varieties – Standard & Non-standard Language, 18(L)+4(T)

Formal & Informal
3. Difference between Declarative and Expressive forms of 18(L)+4(T)
language – when Statement becomes Expression
4. Register, Collocation and Style 18 (L)+4(T)
Readings
o Rajend Mesthrie and Rakesh M. Bhatt. World Englishes: 72 Lectures +
The Study of New Linguistic Varieties 16 Tutorial = 88
o GB Shaw. ‘Spoken English & Broken English’
o Geoffrey N. Leech. A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry
o H.G.Widdowson. Stylistics & the Teaching of Literature
o Language Literature and Creativity Orient Blackswan and
DU

Core Language (L1/2)

SEMESTER - III

 CORE COURSE: (L1---2) Language, Imagination & Creativity

1. Plain Language and Figurative Language (Related Tropes like

18 (L)+4(T)
Metaphor, Conceit, Metonymy)
2. Language and Emotion – Hyperbole, Pathetic Fallacy, Irony,
Understatement 18 (L)+4(T)
3. Escape from Banality – Foregrounding devices like Parallelism
& Deviation 18(L)+4(T)
4. Avoiding/ Cultivating Ambiguity – Ambiguity: Weakness or
Strength 18(L)+4(T)
Readings
 I. A. Richards. Practical Criticism (Part III)
 Geoffrey N. Leech. A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry 72 Lectures + 16
 Bose & Sterling. Rhetoric & Prosody Tutorial = 88
 William Empson. Seven Types of Ambiguity
 Susanta Kumar Bardhan. Introduction to Stylistics
 Goeffrey Leech. A Communicative Grammar of English

8
 DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC COURSES
SEMESTER - V

DISIPLINE SPECIFIC COURSE (DSE) - 1:

 A. British Literature

1. Robert Louis Stevenson - Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

20 (L) + 4(T)
(ND)
2. William Shakespeare – As you Like It 20 (L)+4 (T)

3. Thomas Hardy- Ah, Are Digging on My Grave? 8(L)+2(T)

12(L)+3(T)
4. Robert Lynd- On Not Being a Philosopher
60 Lectures +
13 Tutorials = 73

OR
SEMESTER - V
DISIPLINE SPECIFIC COURSE (DSE) - 1: Introduction
B. Environment &Literature 5(L)+1(T)
1. G M Hopkins. ‘Binsey Poplars’ 6(L)+2(T)
2. Gordon J. L. Ramel. ‘Daffodils No More’ 4(L)+2(T)
3. Mahasweta Devi. ‘Pterodactyl’ 15(L)+5(T)
4. Ruskin Bond. ‘Dust on the Mountains’, ‘Death of the Trees’ 16(L)+4(T)
Issues:
Nature in Oriental & Western Thought, Deep Ecology, Third World
46 Lectures +
Environmentalism, Ecofeminism
14 Tutorial= 60
Readings:
 Vasudha Narayanan ‘Water, Wood, and Wisdom: Ecological
Perspectives from the Hindu Traditions’
 Allen Carlson. Environmental Aesthetics
 Preeti Ranjan Ghosh . “Towards an Understanding of
Environmental Aesthetics: Some Reflections”, The Philosophical
Quarterly, 1998
 Beth Fowkes Tobin. Colonizing Nature
 Vasudha Narayanan. Water, Wood and Wisdom
 Vandana Shiva. Women in Nature

9
 SEMESTER - VI

 DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC COURSE (DSE)- 2:

A: Indian Literature in Translation

1. Rabindranath Tagore – The Wife’s Letter (Translation of Steer 15(L)+4(T)

Patra)
20(L)+5(T)
2. Vijay Tendulkar – Silence: The Court is in Session (Translation of
Shantata: Court Chalu Ahe)
10(L)+2 (T)
3. Mahasweta Devi- ‘Draupdi’ (ND)
10(L)+2(T)
4. Amrita Pritam – ‘Bread of Dreams’ & ‘A Story of Fire’ 55 Lectures +
13 Tutorials = 68

OR

SEMESTER - VI

DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC COURSE (DSE)- 2

B: Literary Cross-Currents

1. Selections from Living Literatures – An Anthology of Prose and

10(L)+ 2(T)
Poetry Eds.Vinay Sood, et al. Orient Longman
2. Saadat Hasan Manto – “Toba Tek Sing”
10(L)+ 2 (T)
3. Ismat Chughtai – “Lihaaf”, “The Sacred Duty”
15(L)+4(T)

4. Rabindranath Tagore – The Broken Nest (Translation of 20(L)+5 (T)

Nashtaneerh)
55 Lectures +
13 Tutorials = 68

10
 GENERIC ELECTIVE (GE)
SEMESTER - V

 GENERIC ELECTIVE (GE)- 1

15 (L) + 3(T)
GENDER & HUMAN RIGHTS

1. Poetry: Meena Kandasamy “Aggression” 18 (L)+4(T)

Temsula Ao “Laburnum for My Head”
2. Drama: Manjula Padmanabhan Lights Out
18 (L)+4(T)
3. Essay: Virginia Woolf “Professions for Women”, Women’s Rights
are Human Rights. Section V “The Human Rights Framework in 20(L)+4(T)
Practice”

4. Novel: Tehmina Durrani’s Blasphemy (ND)

71 Lectures +
15 Tutorials = 86

SEMESTER - VI
 GENERIC ELECTIVE (GE)- 2
ENVIRONMENT & LITERATURE
Introduction (Nature in Oriental & Western Thought, Deep Ecology,
Third World Environmentalism)
1. G M Hopkins. ‘Binsey Poplars’ 5(L)+1(T)
2. Gordon J. L. Ramel. ‘Daffodils No More’ 6(L)+2(T)
3. Mahasweta Devi. ‘Pterodactyl’
4(L)+2(T)
4. Ruskin Bond. ‘Dust on the Mountains’, ‘Death of the Trees’
15(L)+5(T)
Readings:
 Vasudha Narayanan ‘Water, Wood, and Wisdom: Ecological 16(L)+4(T)
Perspectives from the Hindu Traditions’
 Allen Carlson. Environmental Aesthetics 46 Lectures +
 Preeti Ranjan Ghosh . “Towards an Understanding of 14Tutorial= 60
Environmental Aesthetics: Some Reflections”, The Philosophical
Quarterly, 1998
 Beth Fowkes Tobin. Colonizing Nature
 Vasudha Narayanan. Water, Wood and Wisdom

Vandana Shiva. Women in Nature

11
 ABILITY ENHANCEMENT COURSE (AEC)
SEMESTER - I
 AECC-1 : Environmental Studies
(Syllabus prescribed by department concerned to be followed)
SEMESTER - II

 AECC – 2
Communicative English: (MCQ Type Questions to be set to test command of
Vocabulary, Usage, Collocation, Register, Difference between Formal and Informal
speech, between Standard & Colloquial Language, Awareness about Linguistic Courtesy,
Different types of Salutation, Letter-ending, and the like)
Introduction:
• Theory of Communication, 3(L)+1(T)
• Types and modes of Communication
1. Language of Communication:
• Verbal and Non-verbal (Spoken and Written)
• Personal, Social and Business
• Barriers and Strategies 6(L)+1(T)
• Intra-personal, Inter-personal and Group
communication
2. Speaking Skills:
• Monologue
• Dialogue
• Group Discussion 5(L)+1(T)
• Effective Communication/ Mis- Communication
▪ Interview
▪ Public Speech
3. Reading and Understanding
• Close Reading
• Comprehension
• Summary Paraphrasing 5(L)+1(T)
• Analysis and Interpretation
• Translation(from Indian language to English and vice-
versa)
4. Writing Skills
▪ Documenting
▪ Report Writing
▪ Making notes 6(L)+1(T)
▪ Letter writing
Recommended Readings: 25 Lectures +
 Fluency in English - Part II, Oxford University Press, 2006. 5 Tutorials =
 Business English, Pearson, 2008. 30
 Language, Literature and Creativity, Orient Blackswan, 2013.
 Language through Literature (forthcoming) ed. Dr. Gauri Mishra,
Dr Ranjana Kaul, Dr. Brati Biswas

12
 SKILL ENHANCEMENT COURSE (SEC)
SEMESTER - III

 SEC - 1
A: Translation Studies [ONLY TICKED UNITS]
1. 3(L)+1(T)
 Introducing Translation: A brief history and significance of
translation in a multi linguistic and multicultural society like India
2. Exercises in different Types/modes of translation: a.
Semantic/Literal b. Free sense/literary c. Functional/communicative 4(L)+1(T)
d. Technical/Official e. Transcreation f. Audio-visual translation
3. Introducing basic concepts and terms used in Translation Studies
through relevant tasks: Equivalence, Language variety, Dialect,
Idiolect, Register, Style, Mode, Code mixing/Switching. b. 8 (L)+2(T)
Defining the process of translation (analysis, transference,
restructuring) through critical examination of standard translated
literary/non-literary texts and critiquing subtitles of English and
Hindi/Bengali films.
4.
 Discussions on issues of gender and translation
(Practice: Translation in Mass Communication/Advertising,
subtitling, dubbing, Tasks of Translation in Business, Advertising,
Using tools of technology for translation, machine/mobile 10(L)+2(T)
translation, software for translating different kinds of texts with
differing levels of complexity and for transliteration.
Exercises to comprehend: Equivalence in translation, Structures,
equivalence between the SL & TL at the lexical (word) and
syntactical (sentence) levels. This will be done through tasks of
retranslation and recreation, and making comparative study of
cultures and languages.
Resources for Practice: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Thesauri,
Glossaries, Software of translation)
Recommended Readings
 Baker, Mona, In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation, Routledge,
2001.
 Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies. London and New York:
Routledge, 2001. 25 Lectures +
 3 Sherry Simon, Gender in translation: Cultural Identity and the Politics of 6 Tutorials =
Transmission. New York: Routledge, 1996. 31
 Catford, I. C. A Linguistic Theory of Translation. London: OUP, 1965.
 Frishberg, Nancy J. Interpreting: An Introduction. Registry of Interpreters,
1990.
 Gargesh, Ravinder and Krishna Kumar Goswami. (Eds.). Translation and
Interpreting: Reader and Workbook. New Delhi: Orient Longman, 2007.
 House, Juliana. A Model for Translation Quality Assessment. Tubingen:
Gunter Narr, 1977.
 Lakshmi, H. Problems of Translation. Hyderabad: Booklings Corporation,
1993.

13
  Newmark, Peter. A Textbook of Translation. London: Prentice Hall, 1988.
 Nida, E. A. and C. R. Taber. The Theory and Practice of Translation.
Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1974.
 Toury, Gideon. Translation Across Cultures. New Delhi: Bahri Publications
Private Limited, 1987.

OR
SEMESTER - III
SEC - 1
B: Creative Writing
1. What is Creative Writing 2(L)+1(T)
2. The Art and Craft of Writing Unit 3(L)+1(T)
3. Modes of creative Writing Unit
4(L)+1(T)
4. Writing for the Media
5. Preparing for Publication 8(L)+1(T)
Recommended Reading 8(L)+1(T)
Creative writing: A Beginner’s Manual by Anjana Neira Dev and
Others, Published by Pearson, Delhi, 2009. 25 Lectures +
5 Tutorials =
30

SEMESTER - IV
 SEC - 2
A: English Language Teaching
1. Knowing the Learner
OR 4(L)+1(T)
Structures of the English Language
2. Methods of teaching English Language 6(L)+1(T)
3. Assessing Language Skills 8(L)+2(T)
4. Materials for Language Teaching
OR 7(L)+1(T)
Using Technology in Language Teaching
Recommended Readings
1.
Penny Ur, A Course in Language Teaching: Practice and Theory (Cambridge:
CUP, 1996). 25 Lectures +
2. Marianne Celce-Murcia, Donna M. Brinton, and Marguerite Ann Snow, 5 Tutorials =
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (Delhi: Cengage
Learning, 4th edn, 2014).
30
3. Adrian Doff, Teach English: A Training Course For Teachers (Teacher’s
Workbook)
(Cambridge: CUP, 1988).
4. Business English (New Delhi: Pearson, 2008).
5. R. K. Bansal and J. B. Harrison, Spoken English: A Manual of Speech and
Phonetics
(New Delhi: Orient BlackSwan, 4th edn, 2013).
Mohammad Aslam, Teaching of English (New Delhi: CUP, 2nd edn, 2009)

14
 OR
SEMESTER - IV

SEC - 2
B: Film Studies
1. Evolution of the Cinema: Silent Film, Talkie, Colour Film, Digital 4(L)+1(T)
Age, 3D Films.
2. Cinematographic Technique: Panning of the Camera, Zooming, 8(L)+2(T)
Fade in, Fade Out, Flashback, Close up, Long Shot, Reverse Shot.
6(L)+1(T)
3. Adaptation and Appropriation
4. Response and Review: (Illustrative film shows & appreciation 7(L)+1(T)
programme to be arranged)

Recommended Readings: 25 Lectures +

1. James Monako. How To Read a Film. New York: OUP, 2009. 5 Tutorials =
2. Andrew Dix. Beginning Film Studies. Manchester university Press, 30
2008.
3. Satyajit Ray. Our Films, Their Films. Orient Blackswan, 2001.
4. Satyajit Ray. Deep Focus: Reflection on Indian Cinema. Ed. Sandip
Ray. Harper Collins India. 2011.

SEMESTER - V

 SEC – 3
A: Technical Writing [ONLY TICKED UNITS]
1.
 Communication: Language and communication, differences
3(L)+1(T)
between speech and writing, distinct features of speech, distinct
features of writing.
2. Writing Skills: Selection of topic, thesis statement, developing the
8(L)+2(T)
thesis introductory, developmental, transitional and concluding
paragraphs, linguistic unity, coherence and cohesion, descriptive,
narrative, expository and argumentative writing.
3.
 Technical Writing: Scientific and technical subjects, formal and
14(L)+2(T)
informal writings, formal writings/reports, handbooks, manuals,
letters, memorandum, notices, agenda, minutes, common errors to
be avoided.
Suggested Readings
1. M. Frank. Writing as thinking: A guided process approach,
Englewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall Reagents.
25 Lectures +
2. L. Hamp-Lyons and B. Heasely. Study Writing: A course in written
English. For academic and professional purposes, Cambridge Univ. 5 Tutorials = 30
Press.
3. R. Quirk, S. Greenbaum, G. Leech and J. Svartik.A comprehensive
grammar of the English language, Longman, London.

15
 4. Daniel G. Riordan & Steven A. Panley. Technical Report Writing
Today Biztaantra. Additional Reference Books
5. Daniel G. Riordan, Steven E. Pauley, Biztantra: Technical Report
Writing Today, 8th Edition (2004).

OR

SEMESTER - V
SEC – 3
B: Business Communication
1. Introduction to the Essentials of Business Communication: Theory 5(L)+1(T)
and Practice
2. Writing a project report
OR
Citing References, using bibliographical and research tools 6(L)+1(T)
3. Writing minutes of meetings
OR
E-Correspondence 4(L)+1(T)
4. Making oral presentations (Viva for internal assessment)
OR
Spoken English for Business Communication (Viva for internal 10(L)+2(T)
assessment)
Suggested Readings:
1. Scot, O. Contemporary Business Communication. Biztantra, New
Delhi.
25 Lectures +
2. Lesikar, R. V. & Flatley, M. E. Basic Business Communication
5 Tutorials = 30
Skills for Empowering the Internet Generation, Tata McGraw Hill
Publishing Company Ltd. New Delhi.

SEMESTER - VI
 SEC- 4
A: Soft Skills
Teamwork 7(L)+1(T)
Emotional Intelligence
4(L)+1(T)
Adaptability
3(L)+1(T)
Leadership
5(L)+1(T)
Problem solving
Suggested Readings 6(L)+1(T)

1. English and Soft Skills. S.P. Dhanavel. Orient BlackSwan 2013 25 Lectures +
5 Tutorials = 30

16
2. English for Students of Commerce: Precis, Composition, Essays,
Poems eds. Kaushik, et al.

OR
SEMESTER - VI

SEC- 4
B: Spoken English

1. Differences between speech and writing – distinct features of Oral 4 (L)+1(T)

Communication; Essentials of Good Communication- Barriers
2. Listening: Weak Forms, Stress, Intonation, Voice Modulation,
Telephonic Conversation, Rules of Interruption in Civilized 6(L)+1(T)
discourse
3. Speech & Situation/ Context:
a. Greeting & Leave Taking 6(L)+1(T)
b. Making & Granting/Refusing Requests
c. Queries & Giving Information/Direction
d. Describing objects/process
e. Narrating events & Commentary
f. Persuasion & Motivation
g. Complaints & Apologies
h. Expressing disapproval
i. Alerting & Warning
4. Presentation Skills: Interview, Debate, GD, Anchoring, Public
Address, Broadcasting 9(L)+2(T)
(Intensive learner-centric pedagogic mode and use of Language Lab are
25 Lectures +
desirable for making the course successful. Having explained the 5 Tutorials = 30
preliminaries of each course-content, teachers may put group of learners
in a particular situation of conversation and monitor their conversation/
use of language as facilitators.)

Readings:

 W.S. Allen. Lining English speech. Orient Longman, London,

1968.

 R.K Bansal and J.B Harrison. Spoken English for India. Orient
Longman, Madras, 1972.

 Leena Sen. Communication Skills. Prentice Hall of India, New

Delhi.

17
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