English Language & Literature Tag

The Department of Languages and Literature held LitOrient ’24, an orientation programme for first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students of Literature, Anantapur campus on July 3, 2024, and the BA (English) students at the Muddenahalli Campus on July 8, 2024.

The objective was to formally induct the freshers into the English Literature and Language Programme and provide an overview of the National Education Policy (NEP) and the BA (Hons) programme in English, providing the students with details of the courses offered, available electives, research prospects, and opportunities for undertaking projects and internships.

Summary of the Proceedings at Anantapur Campus

The event commenced with traditional Vedam chanting and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Dr. Nelli Vani Sri, Assistant Professor of English, delivered the welcome address, followed by Prof. Rani P. L., Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences and Languages & Literature, who set the stage for the rest of the programme. Prof. Rani’s talk emphasized the role of humanities in academia and instilled confidence in the freshers for their choice of stream for their respective degrees.

Dr. (Ms.) Vijaya Lekshmi R., Assistant Professor of English, discussed the genesis of the Department and its journey to date. Dr. (Mrs.) Maitali Khanna, Associate Professor of English & Head of the Department, explained the degree requirements and goals for undergraduate freshers as prescribed by NEP 2020. Dr. Sowmya Srinivasan, Assistant Professor of English, then outlined the various career prospects in English Language and Literature available to students after their degree at SSSIHL.

Next, Miss Sai Archana M., Teaching Assistant, highlighted the department’s achievements over recent years, including events, academic excursions, presentations, and publications by students and faculty members. This was followed by an informative and engaging panel discussion by the research scholars, who discussed the research process in English Language and Literature, drawing examples from their respective research areas. An entertaining games session, led by senior students, served as the penultimate point of the event.

Additionally, three senior students from the sub-departments of humanities—Shambhavi (Philosophy), Aastha (Political Science), and Sharanya (Economics)—provided a brief introduction to their respective subjects while sharing personal experiences from their classrooms to give the freshers a glimpse of what they could expect in the coming years.

The event coordinated by Dr. Sowmya Srinivasan, Assistant Professor of English, concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Miss Sreenidhi S., a research scholar at the department, followed by Mangala Aarti.

Summary of the Proceedings at Muddenahalli Campus

The event commenced with traditional Vedam chanting and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The Director of the MDH campus, Sri B. Venkatramana, welcomed the freshers to the campus and key members of the faculty including Prof. P.L. Rani, Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, and Literature; Dr. Maitali Khanna, Head of the Department of Languages and Literature, Dr. B. Venkataramana, Assistant Professor of English; Dr. M.G. Mahabala Rao, Assistant Professor of Sanskrit; and Sri Sai Govardhan J., Assistant Professor of English.

Prof. P.L. Rani delivered an insightful talk on the genesis and achievements of the English Department over the years, setting an inspiring tone for the programme. Dr. Maitali Khanna welcomed the students by pinning badges onto them and presented an overview of the BA English programme, providing a comprehensive perspective on the 4-year curriculum. Dr. B. Venkataramana then delved into the essence of literature, quoting various excerpts and enriching the student’s understanding of the field. An interactive session followed, where students engaged with faculty members on topics such as career paths, programme structure, and course specifics. Dr. Maitali Khanna also assured the students of regular engagement with faculty from other campuses.

In the afternoon session, Sri Sai Govardhan J. provided an in-depth discussion on the minor subjects in the programme, career paths, and the credit framework.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Pragyan Rai, a student at the department, followed by a prayer.

LitOrient ’24 was indeed an enlightening experience for the students, giving them valuable insights into the programme and highlighting the numerous career opportunities ahead. The event aimed to facilitate academic interaction among teachers, scholars, seniors, and juniors, fostering a collaborative and enriching academic environment.

Students from the Department of English Language and Literature at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus, participated in the two-day international conference titled “Embracing the Forte of SDGs in English Language and Literature: A Cognitive Perspective (EFSELL CP).” The event took place on March 28th and 29th, 2024, at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.

The conference featured plenary talks by distinguished speakers from India and abroad, student and scholar paper presentations, poetry readings, and live theatrical performances. Nineteen students from III BA, I MA, and II MA, accompanied by faculty members Dr. Maitali Khanna, Dr. Arun K Behera, and Dr. Sowmya S, represented the English Department of SSSIHL, Anantapur Campus.

Sixteen students presented research papers co-authored with their faculty mentors. Their research, active engagement in discussions, presentation skills, and subject knowledge received significant appreciation. Additionally, Dr. Maitali Khanna and Dr. Arun K Behera were honored as Session Chairs for the paper presentation sessions.

The conference concluded with awards for the best papers and presentations. Among the winners were two postgraduate students from SSSIHL:

Best Paper Award: Ms. Sathyapriya Dharshini S. (I MA English) for her paper “AI-Mediated Composition Writing in an ESL Classroom: A Case Study,” co-authored with Prof. Rani P. L.

Best Presenter Award: Ms. Meghana Srinivas Mandalappu (II MA English) for her paper “Navigating the Mental Spaces and Emotional Labyrinths in the Selected Songs from Taylor Swift’s Folklore,” co-authored with Dr. Maitali Khanna.

Overall, participating in the conference was a valuable educational experience for students and faculty members.

The inaugural event of the orientation program series, “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in English Studies,” was jointly organized by the Department of Languages and Literature – English, Anantapur Campus, SSSIHL, in collaboration with the Institution’s Innovation Council.

The event began with an invocatory vedam followed by the welcome address delivered by a student coordinator.  Prof. Rani P.L. set the context for the programme.

The event comprised two insightful sessions led by distinguished speakers. Mrs. Smita Vivek Jakkani (Dhantal), a Research Scholar from the Department of English and Cultural Studies at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, spearheaded the first session. Drawing from her expertise and personal journey, she elucidated the intricacies of obtaining patents in the realm of English Studies, citing her own SPCAM model as a case study. Following her engaging talk, there was an interactive session allowing students to delve deeper into the subject matter.

Mrs. Amrutha Varshini S., an Entrepreneur and Research Scholar from Anna University, Chennai, facilitated the second session. Sharing insights from her entrepreneurial journey, she navigated the audience through the process of scaling up a business, emphasizing the pivotal role of English knowledge in various sectors, particularly education. She also shed light on leveraging social media for business growth, sharing her proven strategies for success. The session concluded with an enriching exchange between the students and Mrs. Amrutha Varshini.

Both speakers were honoured, and certificates of participation were distributed to all present amidst their presence. The event drew to a close with a vote of thanks delivered by a student coordinator, followed by the traditional Mangala Aarthi to Bhagawan.

The event was coordinated by Dr. Sowmya Srinivasan, Assistant Professor, Department of Languages and Literature, SSSIHL.

The Department of Languages and Literature – English (DLL-E) at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Anantapur Campus, hosted an enlightening guest lecture on March 14, 2024, by Dr. Sharmila Sreekumar, an esteemed Associate Professor from the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at IIT Mumbai on “Feminist Critical Theory,” drawing from Elaine Showalter’s seminal work, “Feminist Criticism in the Wilderness”. The event, organized as part of the student’s capacity development and skill enhancement program, aimed to deepen their understanding of critical literary perspectives.

A recipient of the UGC’s JRF and SRF, Dr. Sharmila Sreekumar obtained her Ph.D. in English from the University of Hyderabad in 2002. Her extensive research spans various fields, including Women’s Studies, Autobiography Studies, Print Cultures, the “Crisis” in English Studies, and Disciplinary Formations. In 2009, Dr. Sreekumar’s noteworthy publication, “Scripting Lives: Narratives of Dominant Women in Kerala,” was released by Orient BlackSwan, showcasing her expertise in the field. She has contributed significantly to scholarly discourse through research publications in prestigious journals published by Taylor & Francis, Sage, and EPW.

Dr. Sreekumar’s academic prowess has been further acknowledged through her receipt of a Fulbright Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Additionally, she has been a sought-after speaker at numerous academic institutions and research centers, including the esteemed New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas.

The lecture, held in hybrid mode at the Multi-Media Learning Centre (MMLC) of the Anantapur Campus, attracted a vibrant audience of students from various English language and literature UG & PG programs. Engaging in a lively Q&A session, participants delved into topics ranging from societal structures and inequalities to the role of feminism in challenging established norms.

Dr. Sharmila Sreekumar emphasized the significance of feminist discourse as a catalyst for societal change, urging participants to confront systemic injustices such as environmental degradation, capitalism, language chauvinism, casteism, and majoritarianism. She highlighted the importance of activism and ethical engagement, stressing that the pursuit of justice is inherently valuable, regardless of immediate outcomes. In response to inquiries about the daunting nature of patriarchal systems, she encouraged perseverance and unwavering commitment to progressive ideals.

In essence, the guest lecture provided invaluable insights into feminist critical theory, inspiring students to critically examine prevailing power dynamics and advocate for social transformation. Dr. Sharmila Sreekumar’s illuminating discourse left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of continued dialogue and action in the pursuit of gender equality and social justice.

A two-day conference on English Language and Literature was organized by St. Joseph’s College (autonomous) and Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli (autonomous) in collaboration with the English Language Teachers’ Association of India (ELTAI) Trichy Chapter. The theme of the Conference was “Imprints, Initiatives, and Insights: Redefining Gen Z English Language Competencies and Literary Perspectives.”

Four international resource persons were invited for the two-day session. Dr. Andy Noces Cubalit (Lecturer at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Latkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand) and Dr. Cecilia Titiek Murniati (Head of English Department Faculty of Language and Arts Soegijapranata Catholic University, Pawiyatan Indonesia) graced the first day via offline and online modes respectively. The resource persons for the second day were Mr. Sishir Kumar Bhusal (Head, Department of Major Arts St. Xavier’s College; Kathmandu, Nepal) and Prof. J. Kennedy (Professor of English Department of Languages, Eastern University Sri Lanka).

Miss Yadha Lama, an II MA student, of SSSIHL, and Miss Sai Archana M, a Teaching Assistant at SSSIHL captivated the audience with their research presentations. Miss Yadha Lama delved into “Developing a Vocabulary Toolkit for Enhancing the LSRW Skills of Gen Z Learners” at Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli, receiving commendation from both the Chairperson and participants. Meanwhile, Miss Sai Archana M shared her paper, “Developing an Operational Model of Communicative Competence for Employees in Communicative-Intensive Sectors,” at St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, sparking engaging discussions among attendees.

The conference culminated in a Valedictory session, honoring all 173 paper presenters with certificates and heartfelt appreciation. The event not only fostered academic exchange but also envisioned the future of ELT research through dynamic interactions between faculty and students.