Here’s the complete, semester-wise DU BA (Hons.) English syllabus under the NEP UGCF 2022 structure — covering all Discipline Specific Core (DSC) papers from Semester 1 to 6, along with the credit distribution and a quick guide to each semester’s focus.
Use this page to plan your semester ahead of time, then head to our DU English PYQs page to see how each paper has actually been examined in past years.
Programme Structure at a Glance
BA (Hons.) English carries 3 DSC papers per semester across Semesters 1–6, plus a substantial Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) pool starting from Semester 3, covering everything from Literature and Cinema to Speculative and Detective Fiction. Each core paper is worth 4 credits (3 theory + 1 tutorial).
Semester 1
Introduction to Literary Studies — DSC-1 · European Classical Literature — DSC-2 · Indian Classical Literature — DSC-3
Semester 1 builds core literary-critical vocabulary alongside classical foundations from both European and Indian traditions — the base every later period-specific paper builds on.
Note: 1st Semester’s Generic Electives (GE) Also Applicable for Semester 3rd and 5th
Semester 2
14th to 17th Century English Poetry — DSC-4 · 16th and 17th Century English Drama — DSC-5 · 18th Century Literature — DSC-6
Semester 2 moves chronologically into English literary history proper — Renaissance poetry, Elizabethan/Jacobean drama, and 18th century literature.
Note: 2nd Semester’s Generic Electives (GE) Also Applicable for Semester 4th and 6th
Semester 3
Romantic Literature — DSC-7 · Victorian Literature — DSC-8 · Literary Criticism — DSC-9
Semester 3 introduces the DSE pool alongside core papers — options include Literature and Cinema and Literary Theory. The DSC papers cover Romantic and Victorian literature plus foundational Literary Criticism, whose frameworks recur across every later paper.
Note: Generic Electives Language Courses (GE) Also Applicable for all Semester
Semester 4
American Literature — DSC-10 · Indian Writing in English — DSC-11 · Indian Writing in English Translation — DSC-12
Semester 4 broadens beyond the British canon into American literature and Indian writing (both in English and in translation), with DSE options like Dystopian Writings and Literature of the Indian Diaspora.
Semester 5
Twentieth Century Poetry and Drama — DSC-13 · Twentieth Century Novel — DSC-14 · Dalit Writings — DSC-15
Semester 5 remains core DSC (not purely elective) — covering 20th century poetry, drama, and the novel, alongside Dalit Writings as a core paper reflecting the department’s identity-literature focus. DSE options include Children’s Literature and Indian Partition Literature.
Semester 6
Modern European Drama — DSC-16 · Literature and Disability — DSC-17 · Women’s Writing — DSC-18
Semester 6 completes your core English Honours coursework — Modern European Drama, Literature and Disability, and Women’s Writing. DSE options include World Literatures and British Literature Post World War II.
Full DSC Paper & Credit Structure
| Semester | Paper | Code | Credits (Theory+Tutorial) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Introduction to Literary Studies | DSC-1 | 4 (3+1) |
| I | European Classical Literature | DSC-2 | 4 (3+1) |
| I | Indian Classical Literature | DSC-3 | 4 (3+1) |
| II | 14th to 17th Century English Poetry | DSC-4 | 4 (3+1) |
| II | 16th and 17th Century English Drama | DSC-5 | 4 (3+1) |
| II | 18th Century Literature | DSC-6 | 4 (3+1) |
| III | Romantic Literature | DSC-7 | 4 (3+1) |
| III | Victorian Literature | DSC-8 | 4 (3+1) |
| III | Literary Criticism | DSC-9 | 4 (3+1) |
| IV | American Literature | DSC-10 | 4 (3+1) |
| IV | Indian Writing in English | DSC-11 | 4 (3+1) |
| IV | Indian Writing in English Translation | DSC-12 | 4 (3+1) |
| V | Twentieth Century Poetry and Drama | DSC-13 | 4 (3+1) |
| V | Twentieth Century Novel | DSC-14 | 4 (3+1) |
| V | Dalit Writings | DSC-15 | 4 (3+1) |
| VI | Modern European Drama | DSC-16 | 4 (3+1) |
| VI | Literature and Disability | DSC-17 | 4 (3+1) |
| VI | Women’s Writing | DSC-18 | 4 (3+1) |
Source: University of Delhi, Office of Academic Affairs – Department of English programme structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same syllabus as the CBCS English Honours programme?
No — this reflects the current NEP UGCF 2022 structure. Papers like Literature and Disability and Dalit Writings as a core DSC paper are new additions that didn’t exist under CBCS.
Are Semester 5 and 6 elective-only?
No — Semester 5 and 6 both carry 3 DSC (core) papers each, same as every other semester. DSE (elective) papers run alongside DSC from Semester 3 onward, they don’t replace it.
Where can I find the detailed unit-wise reading list for a specific paper?
This page covers the paper list and credit structure. For the full prescribed reading list, check the linked notes for each paper above (once added), or the official DU syllabus PDF for that paper.
Does the Department of English also offer a separate Journalism programme?
Yes — the same Academic Affairs page also lists B.A. (Hons.) Journalism, which has an entirely different DSC list (media/reporting-focused rather than literature-focused). This page covers BA (Hons.) English only.