what books are read in an english literature course

Here are the major BA English Literature books:

• The Iliad by Homer
• Poetics by Aristotle
• The Republic by Plato
• Swami and Friends by R.K. Narayan
• Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
• Macbeth by William Shakespeare
• The Wife of Bath’s Prologue by Geoffrey Chaucer
• Predestination and Free Will’ by John Calvin
• Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
• The Rover by Aphra Behn

Full Answer

What are the best books for English literature students?

The Kite Runner is one of the newest on our list of best books for English Literature students, but it’s still considered one of the greatest classic novels. Written in 2003, The Kite Runner is a stellar example of postcolonial literature. This important novella explores the devastating legacy which is left behind after the effects of an empire.

What are the subjects required to study English literature?

But some of these subjects are really essential for any Literature student, some of them are – History of English Literature Shakespeare, Linguistics, Romantic Age, New Literature, Modern Era, American Literature, etc.

What is a reading list for an English degree?

An English degree is about following your own literary interests. And reading lists are essentially just suggestions which help you to work out what those are. So, to summarise: Check this list of the best 100 novels written in English, by the Guardian. How many have you read?

What counts as English literature?

What counts as English literature spans over a thousand years, but you’ll find most of the great classics that well-educated people are often expected to have read – what’s known as the ‘canon’ – were primarily written in the 19th century or a little after, so this list focuses on that time period.

What do you learn in an English literature class?

The study of English literature focuses mainly on analysis, debate and critical theorising about a large number of published works, be they novels, poems, plays or other literary works.

What books are classed as literature?

Literature broadly is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include oral literature, much of which has been transcribed.

How many books do English majors read?

On average, an English major will read one book per week or bi-weekly for each literature-based class they take. If you have an average of three classes per semester with around three months in a semester, that's about 12 – 30 books.

What are the 7 genres of literature?

The primary genres in literature are poetry, drama/play, essay, short story, and novel. The term genre is used quite often to denote literary sub-classifications or specific types of literature such as comedy, tragedy, epic poetry, thriller, science fiction, romance, etc.

What is English literature?

English Literature refers to the study of texts from around the world, written in the English language. By studying a degree in English Literature, you will learn how to analyze a multitude of texts and write clearly using several different styles.

Where do I start when studying literature?

Start by reading annotated versions of classic books. But we're talking about the most accessible way to start your self-directed course in literature. The traditional canon texts are still the books that have the most accessible critiques and studies done of them. They are an easy place to start.

What is taught in BA English?

BA English is an undergraduate degree course, with various core subjects such as Indian Classical Literature, Popular Literature, American Literature and various other electives such as Text and Performance, Language Literature & Culture, Media and Communication Skills etc.

How do I prepare for English literature at uni?

Prepare for lots of questions from people asking, “So when do you qualify?” NEVER.READ READ READ. This kind of goes without saying. ... DON'T BE AFRAID TO SHARE YOUR WORK.ALWAYS GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO EDIT.YOU WILL HAVE TO DO CLASSES THAT DON'T INTEREST YOU – BUT PERSEVERE. ... FIND YOUR BEST WRITING TIME.WRITE TERRIBLY FIRST.

What are the 4 types of books?

Types of BooksNon-fiction.Edited (non-fiction)Reference (non-fiction)Fiction.

What are the top 10 genres of books?

Top 10 Genres1Young Adult2Fantasy3Children's4Literary Fiction5Science Fiction5 more rows

What genre does my book fall under?

5:2115:15A Guide to Literary Genres | What genre is your book? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo genre fiction is basically just a book that does fit into a specific literary genre genre fictionMoreSo genre fiction is basically just a book that does fit into a specific literary genre genre fiction can definitely be character driven in the past this distinction was often drawn as genre fiction

How do you classify books into genres?

6 Ways the Genres of Books are DeterminedMedium or Format. Fiction can be categorized by the format or medium it is presented in. ... Literary classifications. ... Graphic Content. ... Reader Demographics. ... Setting. ... The Intellectual or Emotional Experience. ... Cross Genres.

What is an English degree?

If none of the above tickles your fancy, don’t be disheartened! An English degree is about following your own literary interests. And reading lists are essentially just suggestions which help you to work out what those are. So, to summarise:

What is the name of the poem that was originally written in Old English?

1. Beowulf (c. 700-1000) – Anonymous. This epic poem was originally written in Old English (a language which you may have the option to study as part of your university course) but Seamus Heaney has written an up-to-date translation.

What are some examples of postcolonial literature?

Highlights include ‘Little Red-Cap’, ‘Anne Hathaway’, ‘Mrs Darwin’ and ‘Pygmalion’s Bride’. 10. The Kite Runner (2003) – Khaled Hosseini. The Kite Runner is an example of postcolonial literature; it’s a novel which deals with the devastating legacy left by empire.

Who was the greatest poet of the First World War?

Wilfred Owen is considered by many critics to be the greatest poet of the First World War and his work still resonates today. It’s now over a hundred years since ‘the war to end all wars’, but Owen’s poetry still feels very relevant, resonant and modern.

Who was the original master of the unreliable narrator?

Chaucer was the original master of the unreliable narrator: T he Canterbury Tales is as much about the pilgrims’ personalities as it is about the stories they tell. From the risqué ‘Miller’s Tale’ to the pious ‘Tale of Melibee’, there is something for everyone here. 3.

Who wrote the Canterbury Tales?

2. The Canterbury Tales (c. 1387-1400) – Geoffrey Chaucer.

Is Shakespeare a must read?

Shakespeare is a must-read for any English student! A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a more unusual choice than Hamlet or Macbeth, and more to the point it’s one of his shortest and most accessible works.

What are the subjects taught in English literature?

But some of these subjects are really essential for any Literature student, some of them are – History of English Literature Shakespeare, Linguistics, Romantic Age, New Literature, Modern Era, American Literature, etc.

What is BA in English literature?

BA English Literature is a rigorous and intensive degree that encapsulates a variety of literary genres. The 3-year degree provides a platform to study Poetry, Drama, Novel, Prose, and History. The course gives you a broader perspective of the subject with an emphasis on each category that enables you to analyze Literature coming from different countries. The critical analysis, summarizing the work of a writer and interpreting the geniuses of poets, forms the core structure of the degree. The program educates you about the shifts in the writing pattern with time and how writers established a separate writing genre through popular movements like Realism, Post Colonialism, and Existentialism.

What are the subjects covered in BA English?

Take a look at the key subjects covered during BA in English Literature syllabus: Victorian Literature. American Literature.

Who are some famous writers who have inspired students to traverse in the field of literature for ages?

Legendary writers like Shakespeare, Leo Tolstoy, Emily Bronte, and many others have inspired students to traverse in the field of Literature for ages. Apart from imparting knowledge on literary history, this English Literature courses provide you with a platform to delve deep into different cultures, assess difficult questions on life, ...

What is BA English?

BA English is often confused with BA English literature degree program, however, there are some points that make them different. As the name suggests, BA English Literature sheds light on the history, origin, and how the language has developed over ages. Along with this, it also focuses on poems, plays, dramas, etc. On the contrary, BA English builds a strong understanding of how the English language functions so that you can use it effectively for business or technical communications. This includes basic grammar, phonetics, critical reasoning, and other facets of the language.

How to read literature Terry Eagleton?

Eagleton is never less than an amusing and knowledgeable guide, and in this recent book he provides a breezy, clear, and incisive introduction to some of the key aspects of reading literary texts . It’s a general book that touches upon fiction, poetry, and drama, and concerns itself with five main themes: ...

When was the second edition of Beowulf published?

It’s a very informative introduction and covers many of the main movements in English literature from its Anglo-Saxon beginnings ( Beowulf and all that) through to post-9/11 fiction (the second edition, published in 2013, updates and improves upon the original 2002 edition).

Free Online English Literature Crash Courses

Crash Courses are educational and compact. They contain valuable, insightful information that’s delivered over a relatively short period of time. My personal favourite online Literature Crash Course is Crash Course Literature started by the Vlogbrothers, John and Hank Green. John Green starts the course by making us ponder on why we read.

Coursera

Coursera offers a wide range of English Literature Courses offered by universities all around the world. Most of the courses are free and accessible in terms of their content. If you want the course certification, you can pay the required fee. Some fascinating free Literature courses I’ve come across on Coursera are:

University Websites

A lot of universities offer free, top-notch courses on their course websites. Here’s a tiny list of some of these universities and some of the best English Literature courses offered by them. Keep in mind that since the courses are free, they cannot be taken for university credit.

What is MA in English literature?

MA English Literature is the popular master’s level program. To study the program, you need to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized college.

What is the most popular career option for students with immense love for reading and literary criticism?

One of the most popular career options for students with immense love for reading and literary criticism, English Literature is an ocean of knowledge.

What is the most popular humanities course?

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ) 1 comment. English literature is one of the most popular humanities courses, which studies classics and popular literature. CMR University – School of Social Sciences and Humanities offers BA in English course in Bangalore.

How long is BA in literature?

At the undergraduate level, colleges offer courses in the subject that span over 3-4 years. The coursework is divided into 6-8 semesters with each semester focusing on the detailed study of the different eras in the history of literature. Primarily studying British Literature, the course deals with the study of English Literature produced in different parts of the world at different stages. BA English Literature is commonly pursued by students planning to develop their understanding of the English language while exploring a diverse range of literary texts from the UK, US and beyond. To study the course, you need to have completed your class 12th education from a recognized board besides meeting the English-language proficiency requirements by taking up a test like IELTS, TOEFL or PTE .

Is there a prerequisite for studying English literature?

English Literature is taught as a subset of Arts and Humanities at the senior secondary level which forms the base for anyone to start a career in the field. As such, there is no prerequisite to study a course or a degree in literature but being a detailed subject, one should have clarity of mind before choosing to study it. English Literature courses are offered at both bachelor’s and master’s level.

12 Essential English Novels Everyone Should Read

The classic novels on this list are my (non-exhaustive) selection of ‘must-read’ books for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of English literature.

1. Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë

This tumultuous tale of life in a bleak farmhouse on the Yorkshire moors is a popular set text for GCSE and A-level English study, but away from the demands of the classroom it’s easier to enjoy its drama and intensity.

2. Middlemarch, by George Eliot

Middlemarch, subtitled “A Study of Provincial Life”, is the story of the inhabitants of a Midlands village in the 1830s. Masterfully weaving together several plotlines, the novel charts the fortunes of an interesting cast of characters, exploring their motivations, delusions and preoccupations.

3. Nineteen Eighty-Four, by George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-Four makes depressing but essential reading. Published in 1949, it’s the author’s vision of a dystopian future dominated by totalitarian state surveillance, mind control and perpetual war.

4. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien

If you haven’t read the book, you’ll almost certainly have seen Peter Jackson’s epic three-part movie adaptation of it. Incredible though the films are, there’s inevitably a lot missing from them and it’s well worth persevering with the book’s slowish start to follow the journey of Frodo and friends more closely.

5. Diary of a Nobody, by George and Weedon Grossmith

If you’ve ever in need of a little gentle comic relief, you can’t do much better than the delightful Diary of a Nobody. It’s the (made-up) diary of a self-important Victorian lower-middle class gentleman, Charles Pooter, in which he details the day-to-day household quandaries and social embarrassments we can all relate to.

6. His Dark Materials, trilogy by Philip Pullman

Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials is comprised of three novels: Northern Lights (known in the US as The Golden Compass), The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. The story is set in a fantasy world that contains numerous parallel universes, some of which bear some resemblance to real-life Oxford.