MA in Literature
The programme at the Department of English, University of Dhaka is a comprehensive one year programme aimed at enhancing our students' knowledge of literature in global English. The course builds upon the BA (Hons.) in English Literature by moving beyond the Western canon to incorporate other literatures and introduces students to modern twentieth century and contemporary approaches to studying literature. Students will engage in independent literary analysis from an interdisciplinary perspective and will learn to engage with ongoing theoretical debates and discursive practices. The programme equips students with the knowledge required to meet the high standards of academic research such as using professional journals and introduce students to bodies that publish academic research online. Students will learn to make appropriate use of the conventions of writing in literary studies and to refer accurately and appropriately to texts and sources. It also aims to foster the overall development of the students' critical and intellectual faculties to allow them to develop their knowledge of literature and bolster their skills to review, research, write and publish papers of an international standard.
MA in Applied Linguistics & ELT
The Masters in Applied Linguistics & ELT programme of the Department of English, University of Dhaka was introduced in 1987. This programme is designed after the graduate programmes of UK and US universities. It is comprehensive and has drawn on core courses of Applied Linguistics, Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and English language Teaching (ELT). The programme is a combination of two strands – Applied Linguistics and ELT. The aims of the programme are
two-fold:
1. Providing learners with a general grounding in major theoretical concepts, principles, issues and current debates in Applied Linguistics and ELT.
2. Enabling learners to link theory to practice. Learners are provided with knowledge, opportunities and experiences which will enable them to develop as ELT professionals. The focus is on grooming autonomous learners who can take charge of their own learning. In addition, team building, leadership and critical thinking skills are nurtured. The goal is to prepare learners for effective teaching in a variety of national contexts and at all levels of education as well as to open up opportunities for the global job market.
Aims and Objectives of MA in Applied Linguistics and ELT Programme
Aims: The broad aim of the programme is to develop an understanding of key concepts and the theoretical framework that underpins the professional, academic and research literature that is relevant to the field of Applied Linguistics, Education, English Language Teaching and TESOL. In addition, the programme will help gain insights into a range of perspectives on the theory, policy and practice of ELT.
Objectives: The main objective of this programme is to develop knowledge and expertise required for the teaching of English as a second/foreign language at all levels of study. A significant offshoot is the development of teacher trainers, curriculum developers, syllabus and materials writers, testers, evaluators, managers and educational researchers.
26 courses · 92 credit hours across 2 terms
| Code | Course title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eng. 501 | Literary Theory | 4 | Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to: · distinguish between different literary theories and criticism · understand the application of different modern theories in literary analysis · individually analyze literary texts using different theories · demonstrate an awareness of the interconnectedness among the different schools of literary theory |
| Eng. 502 | From Modernism to Postmodernism | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · demonstrate awareness of the varying definitions of modernism and postmodernism · discuss and analyze the historical and cultural contexts of modernism and postmodernism · appreciate the similarities and differences between the texts of “High Modernism” and postmodernism · recognize the cultural shifts in literary texts from modernism to postmodernism · draw upon a range of theoretical concepts to explain and analyze literary texts · explain the postmodern signatures in the texts they study |
| Eng. 503 | Presentation and Viva Voce | 1 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · demonstrate enhanced presentation skills · use primary and secondary sources · acknowledge sources of information appropriately · speak in English confidently 50 MA HANDBOOK MA HANDBOOK 51 · use multimedia effectively · handle question-answer sessions confidently |
| Eng. 504 | Contemporary British Literature | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · read and respond to texts critically, showing an awareness of how writers use and adapt language, form and structure to create meaning in texts · demonstrate understanding of the socio-cultural and political contexts in which texts have been produced and received · read and analyze texts in the light of contemporary literary theories that are relevant to the issues raised in the texts |
| Eng. 509 | Continental Literature | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: · develop and demonstrate an awareness of the significance of Continental literature in the global arena · gain a comprehensive knowledge of post-world war conventions, conflicts and issues of Europe · enhance their abilities of inter-textual analysis |
| Eng. 513 | Contemporary South Asian Literature | 4 | Upon completion of the course students will be able to: · read and respond to texts critically, showing an awareness of how writers use and adapt language, form and structure to create meaning in texts · demonstrate understanding of the socio cultural and political contexts in which texts have been produced and received · read and analyze texts in the light of contemporary literary theories that are relevant to the issues raised in the texts |
| Eng. 514 | Research Methods in Literature | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · understand key concepts in theory and research, and the process of conducting research · explore the prevalent theoretical and practical research methods in literary studies · find, evaluate and analyze sources of information · write an abstract and do a literature review |
| EL. 501 | English Phonetics and Phonology | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: · develop an understanding of the use of different speech organs and apply that awareness to their own speech · distinguish between formal and informal as well as native and multilingual English speech · transcribe English speech using the IPA with proper stress and intonation marks · identify problems of Bangla-speaking learners of English, draw pedagogical implications and design activities for EFL/ESL learners |
| EL. 502 | Principles and Methods of Language Teaching | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: · understand the relationship and interdependence of language teaching practices and theory · construct a suitable framework for teaching English as a foreign or second language · explore the prevalent ELT approaches and methods in relation to teacher roles, learner roles, materials, assessment and context · connect the social context with the choice of methods and techniques |
| EL. 503 | Second Language Acquisition | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: · examine different approaches to second language acquisition in diverse contexts · gain a thorough understanding of learner factors that influence the course of second language development 88 MA HANDBOOK MA HANDBOOK 89 · analyse their own language learning experiences in light of the theories · use knowledge gained in the course to critically assess professional practice in their own discipline · develop ability to read and utilize relevant SLA research |
| EL. 504 (A) | Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: · understand the theories, principles and concepts in pragmatics and discourse analysis 90 MA HANDBOOK MA HANDBOOK 91 · identify and analyse the features of spoken and written discourse · explore and examine the contextual factors that influence text production and reception · show understanding of socially-situated language use · appreciate the power dimensions of language use |
| EL. 509 (I) | Presentation and Viva-Voce | 1 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · understand the features of a good presentation · prepare interactive multimedia presentations · enhance their presentation skills · boost their confidence to face an interview board · develop their oral skills to express and analyse a concept clearly |
| Code | Course title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eng. 505 | Shakespeare | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Shakespeare · interpret Shakespeare from different theoretical and ideological perspectives · connect Shakespeare to their own cultural landscape · view Shakespeare from a global perspective |
| Eng. 506 | Presentation and Viva Voce | 1 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · demonstrate enhanced presentation skills · use primary and secondary sources · acknowledge sources of information appropriately · speak in English confidently · use multimedia effectively · handle question-answer sessions confidently Course Content and Description This course gives students an opportunity to practice oral skills. It emphasizes analyzing and synthesizing information gathered from secondary sources. The course focuses on the importance of eye contact, body language and vocal tone as well as of the conventions of using transitional signals. Various strategies of handling questionanswer sessions and of using technology in oral presentations (e.g. multimedia) are also taught in this course. Recommended Reading Berkun, Scott. Confessions of a Public Speaker. O'Reilly Media, 2009. Bradbury, Andrew. Successful Presentation Skills. Kogan Page, 2006. Steele, William R. Presentation Skills 201. Outskirts Press, 2009. Theobald, Theo. Develop Your Presentation Skills: Be Charismatic, Give a Polished Performance. Kogan Page, 2011. Weissman, Jerry. Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story. FT Press, 2003. Course Code : Eng.507 Course Title : Modern American Literature Course Credit : 4 Full Marks : 100 Aims and Objectives The course aims to introduce students to a wide variety of texts by American writers to make them conscious 56 MA HANDBOOK MA HANDBOOK 57 Grazia, Margaret de, and Stanley Wells, editors. Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare. Cambridge UP, 2001. Greenblatt, Stephen. Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. Norton, 2004. ---. Shakespearean Negotiations.California UP, 1988. Kott, Jan. Shakespeare,Our Contemporary. Norton, 1974. McDonald, Russ, editor. Shakespeare: An Anthology of Criticism and Theory 1945-2000. Blackwell, 2004. Wells, Stanley, Gary Taylor, John Jowett, and William Montgomery, editors. The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works.Oxford UP, 1986. Course Code : 506 Course Title : Presentation and Viva Voce Course Credit : 1 Full Marks : 20 Aims and Objectives The aim of the course is to develop the oral and presentation skills of the students. The focus of this course is to make students familiar with professional presentation skills and to instill confidence in them for public speaking following academic conventions. Intended Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · demonstrate enhanced presentation skills · use primary and secondary sources · acknowledge sources of information appropriately · speak in English confidently · use multimedia effectively · handle question-answer sessions confidently |
| Eng. 507 | Modern American Literature | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: § demonstrate knowledge of selected texts in modern American literature § obtain an understanding of key critical and literary concepts of the American context, which includes race, democracy, class, gender, capitalism, and transnationalism § identify, describe and critically evaluate major developments in American literature |
| Eng. 508 | Cultural Studies | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: Ÿ form a comprehensive idea about culture and different forms of culture, and the relationship between society and power Ÿ learn about the major factors determining identity, ethnicity, race and gender relations Ÿ demonstrate understanding of concepts of ideology, power, hierarchy and other factors influencing culture Ÿ understand what cultural turns are taking place with the advent of postmodernism, visual culture, the internet, and artificial intelligence engage in interdisciplinary analysis when they connect literary theories to cultural studies |
| Eng. 510 | Women and Literature | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · demonstrate an understanding of the gender debates and arguments articulated by the authors in the syllabus · recognize the diversity amid the apparent unity that feminist authors represent · recognize the intersections between feminism and postcolonialism · make connections between the problems posed in the theoretical and the creative texts |
| Eng. 511 | Translation Studies | 4 | Upon completion of the course, the students should be able to: · understand key concepts of translation studies as an academic discipline · evaluate translated texts in the light of translation theories as well as issues such as gender, power relations and postcolonialism. · put their theoretical knowledge into practice while translating texts from a source language to a target language |
| Eng. 512 | Latin American Literature | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · perceive the importance of literatures outside the British canon · understand colonialism in its different manifestations and the postcolonial experience · make connections between the Latin American situation and our own situation as a former colony · recognize the narrative style and perspectives as distinct from Euro-centric and Western perspectives · make connections between the texts of this course and the ideas of literary theories |
| Eng. 515 | African and Caribbean Literature | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · critically analyze the language, form and perspectives of different genres of literary texts from African and Caribbean literary traditions · demonstrate an understanding of the socio-cultural and political contexts in which the texts have been produced and received · critically engage with the literary texts in the light of colonial and postcolonial histories and contemporary theories that are relevant to the issues raised in the texts |
| EL. 505 | Syllabus Design and Materials Development | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: · know the different types of syllabus, the stages of syllabus design and differentiate between syllabus and curriculum · understand the issues of syllabus design and materials development · comprehend practical, social and theoretical factors affecting ELT materials development and syllabus design · evaluate, select and implement appropriate ELT syllabuses and materials. · conduct needs analysis and design suitable syllabuses and materials |
| EL. 506 | Language Testing, Evaluation and Assessment | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: § understand the theoretical principles which underlie the construction of reliable and valid tests § understand the processes involved in designing, administering and evaluating language tests and programmes § design and administer valid and reliable tests § score exam scripts and interpret test results efficiently § evaluate critically different language tests and programmes § use different formats/techniques of assessment to ensure optimal achievement Course Contents § Introduction to testing, assessment and evaluation § Basic concepts and issues in language testing § Types of tests (proficiency, achievement, diagnostic, placement) § Approaches to language testing (Direct vs indirect; criterion-referenced vs norm-referenced; discrete point vs integrative; objective vs subjective ) § Test formats/ Common test techniques § Item writing and moderation § Test construction and evaluation § Testing the language skills: Reading, writing, speaking and listening § Testing vocabulary and grammar § Grading tests and interpretation of results § Test administration. § Communicative language testing § Evaluation of tests and programme evaluation § Current issues in language testing research (alternative assessment, authentic assessment, portfolio assessment) § Computerized testing § National and international tests ( SSC, HSC, BCS, IELTS, TOEFL, GRE) § Critical language testing 98 MA HANDBOOK MA HANDBOOK 99 Richards, J. C. (2001). Curriculum development in language teaching. New York: Cambridge University Press. T nd omlinson, B. (2011) Materials development in language teaching(2 ed.)Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. White, R.V. (1988). The ELT curriculum: Design, innovation, and management. Oxford: Blackwell. Yalden, J. (1987). Principles of Course Design for language teaching. Cambridge University Press. Yalden, J. (1983). The Communicative syllabus: Evolution, design and implementation.Oxford: Pergamon. Course Code : EL506 Course Title : Language Testing, Evaluation and Assessment Credits : 4 Full Marks : 100 Aims and Objectives This course aims to introduce learners to key concepts and issues in testing, assessment and evaluation. It will also focus on developing an understanding of the theoretical principles and processes underlying test construction as well as the practical skills required for the design, construction, administration, assessment and evaluation of English language tests and programmes. In addition, the course will address the most recent trends and developments in the field of assessment. Intended Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: § understand the theoretical principles which underlie the construction of reliable and valid tests § understand the processes involved in designing, administering and evaluating language tests and programmes § design and administer valid and reliable tests § score exam scripts and interpret test results efficiently § evaluate critically different language tests and programmes § use different formats/techniques of assessment to ensure optimal achievement |
| EL. 507 | Language Teacher Development and Practicum | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: · understand the nature and needs of teacher education · realize the importance of planning a lesson · evaluate the examples of current language teacher education programmes · specify the purposes of classroom observation · demonstrate understanding of pre-service and in-service teacher training programmes · understand the constructivist, humanistic and reflective approaches to teacher education |
| EL. 508 (A) | Research Methodology | 4 | Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: · understand key concepts and issues in educational research · understand the process of conducting research · explore the prevalent research methods in education · understand literature review and do a review of literature · understand research instruments and data elicitation techniques · analyze and interpret various data · report and evaluate research |
| EL. 508 (B) | English in Diverse World Contexts | 4 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: § Examine the linguistic characteristics of the new Englishes. § Understand the roles played by different varieties of English in different contexts. § Comprehend the debates and discussions surrounding the spread of English. § Reflect on English language education in the light of current theory and research in world Englishes. |
| EL. 509 (II) | Presentation and Viva-Voce | 1 | Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: · understand the features of a good presentation · prepare interactive multimedia presentations · enhance their presentation skills · boost their confidence to face an interview board · develop their oral skills to express and analyse a concept clearly |