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Key concepts to learn in Master of Arts in English

Blog Date
February 11,
2024

If English literature, writings, poetry, and prose fascinate you, then a Master of Arts (MA) in English is the ideal course for you after your Bachelor’s. A postgraduate two-year program, the course covers the nuances of the English language in detail, with particular emphasis on English literature. This blog covers the core concepts in MA English and how they can help you look forward to a promising career. 

Sikkim Manipal University offers MA in English on the Online Manipal platform in 100% remote learning mode. You may pursue the program after completing your Bachelor’s degree in English or a related and relevant field of study. 

Important subjects covered in MA English

Before beginning to pursue MA English courses, it helps to have a detailed overview of the various subjects that the course touches upon during its two-year duration. Listed below are the key concepts covered in Master of Arts in English programs:

  • Gender studies in Literature: This area covers the varied forms of genders that co-exist in our society, namely masculine, feminine, and others, and how gender identities and stereotypes help shape literary texts in English.
  • American Literature: An important subject covered in the Literature analysis in MA English courses, it covers various literary texts and works written in English from a variety of periods covering different eras in the US.
  • Indian English Literature: This subject examines the works of renowned Indian writers in English. It studies in detail the various trends followed in English literature from India.
  • Postcolonial Literature: This essentially deals with literature belonging to the former colonies in the world, describing their colonial experiences, problems, and the eventual results of the decolonization of the nation.
  • World Literature: This refers to the famous works of literature created and circulated beyond the country in which they originated. Studies in World Literature focus on doing a comparative analysis of the various works and their impact on people at large across the globe.
  • Literature and Environment: This area of study in MA English courses focuses on writings about the environment and nature. It reviews the beautiful ways in which various works of English literature by famous authors and poets depict the environment.

MA in English course curriculum

Critical theory in MA English courses is given special emphasis, and efforts are made to educate students about the various theoretical aspects of literary works by renowned writers from various eras. The table below lists the various subjects covered in MA English courses. The course duration is 2 years divided into 4 semesters. Upto 15-20 hours per week are covered in course classes, which primarily cover the following areas of study:

Semesters Subjects taught in MA English courses
1Fiction – I, Drama – I, Gender Studies in Literature, Poetry – I, Literary, Theory, and Criticism – I
2Fiction – II, Drama – II, Environment and Climate Change, Poetry – II, Literary, Theory, and Criticism – II
3Post-Colonial Literature – I, American Literature Literature and Environment, Indian English Literature, Research Methodology  
4Post-Colonial Literature – II, Dissertation, Diaspora Literature, World Literature

Key skills you will gain after MA in English

Varied research methodologies in MA English courses prepare students to delve deeper into finding valuable insights into the different international literary works. These methods also equip students with a host of valued skills that they can put to use in their respective career paths ahead. Some of these include: 

  • Literary analysis: This is one of the primary skills imparted by MA English programs. Students get a fair idea of analyzing the writer’s work, understanding in detail the idea behind the writing and the method followed. A thorough analysis of the literature also helps students understand the various characters, narratives, and themes of the work being examined.
  • Versatile writing style: A Master of Arts in English improves the writing skills of the students taking the course. It helps them hone their ability to express themselves clearly on paper and better articulate their thoughts and ideas. 
  • Improved vocabulary: This is yet another area of development in MA English courses. With excessive reading and writing as part of the course curriculum, students experience a significant improvement in their vocabulary (both verbal and written). 
  • Effective communication: There is an overall difference noted in the style of communication of the students. They learn how to put forth their thoughts better and to effectively communicate their ideas in a few words.
  • Research and analysis: The course also trains students in the theoretical research and analysis of various literary works. These works belong to varied authors from around the world. Students learn to dig deeper into what each literary creation encompasses, the objective and intent of each work, and its impact on society at large.

Career options with MA English

A comprehensive study of language and linguistics in MA English courses is what students pursuing the program at the postgraduate level aspire for. The course provides the perfect framework for a wide array of career options that these students wish to follow upon graduating from the program. Some of the top job roles that can be bagged after completing an MA in English:

Expected job role Job descriptionAvg annual salary (approx)
Communications SpecialistHanding the PR of an organization, answering media queries, planning and organizing press conferences, drafting statements for the mediaINR 10.53 lakh per annum
PR ManagerMaintaining media relations, creating and circulating press releases for publication, planning and organizing press conferences INR 9.83 lakh per annum
Content WriterWriting informative and engaging content to improve the visibility of a brand, conducting detailed research on various subjects, ensuring accuracy of content, maintaining editorial calendar INR 6,70,995 per annum
Editor/Proofreader Suggest corrections in spelling and grammatical errors in documents, review content to check for consistency in writing style, and ensure compliance with specific style guides   INR 6.15 lakh per annum
LinguistAnalyze, understand, and detail various languages; translate and interpret different languages; develop teaching materials; conduct interviews; maintain a database of data on linguistics INR 6,11,185 per annum

Conclusion

A Master of Arts in English course is the perfect choice for students who have a keen interest in researching, understanding, and applying knowledge of literature belonging to various historical periods. These students can also look forward to exciting and lucrative careers in varied fields, going forward, as discussed in this blog.

If you, too, are keen on pursuing an advanced degree in English at the postgraduate level, an MA in English from Sikkim Manipal University is worth consideration. Offered in online mode on the Online Manipal platform, the course aims to help students master critical theories and gain essential research skills in English literature. The course also serves to boost the career and earning prospects of students.

Sikkim Manipal University is accredited by NAAC, and the MA English program is recognized by the UGC. Earning a degree from the university opens up varied career pathways for students through organizations that hold Sikkim Manipal certifications in high regard globally.  

Disclaimer

Information related to companies and external organizations is based on secondary research or the opinion of individual authors and must not be interpreted as the official information shared by the concerned organization.


Additionally, information like fee, eligibility, scholarships, finance options etc. on offerings and programs listed on Online Manipal may change as per the discretion of respective universities so please refer to the respective program page for latest information. Any information provided in blogs is not binding and cannot be taken as final.

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