Research in women’s writing, feminist approaches and literature and gender has long had a substantial presence in the Department. Our work flourishes in a particularly rich research culture both within English and Creative Writing and in shared interdisciplinary activities of our college’s renowned Centre for Women Studies. The work done within the Department is notable for its historical and geographical breadth, ranging from Early Modern and nineteenth-century writing to contemporary Indian, British, Irish and American writings. Key gendered interests include feminist literary theory and cultural theory; the study of sexuality, class, postcolonial, national cultures.

Changes made in the courses or programmes during the period 2009 – 12 and the contribution of the faculty to those changes:

As a result of the combined efforts of our staff members, the existing Part II General English curriculum and syllabus have been completely revamped. An Action Research Seminar cum Workshop was conducted in April 2010 to implement enquiry-centred curriculum compacting to maximize outcome-based initiatives. As James McKernan rightly asserts in Curriculum and Imagination: process theory, pedagogy and action research (2008) “a teacher’s voice is essential for action research.” Accordingly, all the course teachers participated in open ended and free discussions to recontextualize learning intensive paradigms within a new competency-based curriculum to innovate a real-world syllabus. The free and impartial discussions ensured a proper understanding of contentious issues and facilitated collaborative decision making which in turn optimized process-based staff empowerment.

 

Objectives and Aims:


1. To repurpose the role of English in a globalized India.
2. To reiterate the rationale for learning English as a second language.
3. To exploit the cultural, literary, utilitarian, linguistic and integrative enquiry-centred functionalities of English in India.
4. To synergize the four communication skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing to maximize over-arching holistic competencies



Intended Learning Outcomes:

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1. Learners will be able to use the English language successfully through various processes of oral and written communication to communicate meaning effectively not only in the classroom but also in real life situations outside the classroom.
2. They will be able to realize and maximize the meaning-centred, meta-cognitive problem-solving instructional initiatives of the dynamic individual course instructors.
3. Consequently learners effectively synergize independent learning, analytical and critical thinking learning–intensive capabilities.
4. Learners will be able to harness the enquiry-centred and literature-contextualized texts and discourses to integrate impactful core values into the Indian context.​

 



Teaching Methodology:

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1. The pedagogical theory for this student-centred curriculum is based on Lev Vygotsky’s seminal principle that “meaning should constitute the central aspect of any unit of study.” Hence there will be a strong emphasis throughout the entire course to teach English as a means of communication rather than as an end in itself.
2. CBI – Content Based Instruction – will be the over-arching approach with the primary focus on the topic itself.
3. However, attention will be given to language development, grammar and vocabulary and pronunciation by leveraging Task Based Learning to mesh classroom language learning with language use in real life situations outside the classroom.
4. Classroom lectures, seminars, pair and group work based not only on the prescribed texts but, from time to time, also on supplementary authentic materials like advertisements, newspaper and magazine articles, audio and video files and movie clips.

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Assessment:

 

 

1. Student-centred formative assessment which assesses linguistic and communicative competencies is integrated into the curriculum in the form of Continuous Assessment tests, seminars and short paper presentations, in order to promote commitment to the learning objectives and thus enhance learner motivation.
2. One summative end of semester examination to grade the proficiency of the learner.

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Learning Resources of the Department like library, computers, laboratories, and other such resources:

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The Department of English has a dedicated library for its Students and staff. One faculty member (Ms.K.Abitha) takes care of the Students’ library. With the funding from UGC and from an illustrious philanthropist, the Department Library now boasts of a plethora of books on recent trends and techniques in literature and language teaching.

The Department of English bought a LCD Projector, four cordless microphones with speakers, two cupboards for stacking the library books, notice boards, stationery, etc.

 

Enhancement of learning resources:

A new computer was purchased for the benefit of the faculty and students of the Department of English.

New Vistas, Part-II English text books was published.

Modern teaching methods in practice other than the lecture method:

All faculty members make abundant use of the LCD projector to screen subject-based topics, periodically.



Best Practices:

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A forum for film appreciation ‘Ludic’ was inaugurated on 3 January 2011, by Dr.Dwight Atkinson, Purdue University, USA.

Accordingly a film will be screened to students at the Selaiyur hall every fortnight and following the screening a briefing about the film, the special features, adaptations (in case of novels to screen), general tips on reviewing a film will be outlined to the students and they will be encouraged to write reviews on the films that will be screened.

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Lectures by Subject Experts:

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Guest lectures by eminent professors/subject experts, have been organized on a regular basis for the benefit of students preparing for their NET/SLET and other competitive exams.

On 10 March 2009, a bridge course on Communication skills was offered exclusively for students of the Department of English (both at the Part II and the Major level), in two sessions, from 12:30 – 2.30 pm.

On 16 December 2010, Prof. K. Latha, Assistant Professor of English, Stella Marris College, Chennai, gave an enlightening lecture on Indian literature in English – from end 19 century onwards, detailing on a whole generation of important and globally known writers who preceded Independence – Tagore, Aurobindo, Sarojini Naidu, Toru Dutt, Michael Madhusudana Dutt, etc.

On 04 December 2010, Dr. K. Geetha, Associate Professor of English, Fatima College, Madurai, gave a spirited lecture on African American Literature.

On 04 September 2010, Dr.ASD Pillai gave a thought-provoking lecture on Postmodernism for the students of the Department of English.

On 31 July 2010, Dr.Benet Sundersingh, Professor of English, National College, Trichy, gave a lecture on NET/SLET Preparations, for the students of the Department of English. He started off with the modus of preparing for UGC-NET Exams, and outlined the new format of paper III.

On 24 July 2010, Dr.Seshasayee, Head, Department of English, A.M.Jain College, delivering an effective and motivating lecture on Language, Grammar, and Structural Linguistics to our students from 10 am to 12.45 noon, on Saturday, 24 July 2010.

On 25 June 2011, Dr.D.E.Benet from National College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, gave a special lecture on preparing for the UGC-NET/ SLET Examinations.

On 02 April 2011, Dr.Dominic Savio, from American College, Madurai, gave a guest lecture on “New Historicism” in the Selaiyur Hall Indoor Theatre.

On 16 July 2012, Prof. V. S. Venkatramanan, former Professor of English, MCC, delivered a guest lecture on the Romantic poets.

On 23 July 2012, Dr. D.E.Benet, Associate Professor of English, National College, Trichy, gave a guest lecture on cracking NET/SLET exams.

On 17 August 2012, Dr. Sivaraman, Assistant Professor of English, Presidency College, Chennai, gave a guest lecture on Post-independence Indian Theatre.

Involvement of Students in academic/co-curricular and other activities of the department:

On 01 December 2010, an Intra-Department Quiz Competition was conducted for the students.

On 15 December 2010, THE ZEBRA POETRY FILM FESTIVAL at Madras Christian College was held in the Martin Hall Auditorium. Menka Shivdasani, founder member of the Poetry Circle,among a host of other poets, read out some of their best-loved poems sonorously.Ms. Menka’s first book of poems, ‘Nirvana at Ten Rupees, was published by XAL-Praxis in 1990, and was described by Bruce King as “one of the best first books of poetry to appear during the 1990s”

On 16 December 2010 at 2:00 pm. the Principal inaugurated the training programme for the BEC Course which was held in the months of December/January. at the Selaiyur Hall Indoor Theatre.

On 17 September 2010, Dr.Ms.Deepika Subramanian, Head, Marketing and Training, BEC-India, launched the BEC Training programme at Madras Christian College.

On 09 March 2010, The Annual Inter-Collegiate Literary Festival – Mimesis 2010, was conducted by The English Association. The grand attraction of Mimesis 2010, was the Drama Competition. A Theatre Workshop was held and it was headed by Mr. V. Balakrishnan of Theatre Nisha fame.

From 10 December to 15 December 2011, The four-day Prakriti Poetry Reading Festival @ MCC saw eminent poets from across the globe, congregating at the sylvan surroundings of Selaiyur Hall, under the shades of the mighty trees of yore, on Saturday, 10 December 2011.

French Lebanese poet and essayist of international renown, Salah STÉTIÉ and Giuseppe CONTE, Italian poet, novelist, and translator who constitute the “Mediterranean Poets” panel, read out from their poems. They, along with Tamil poets Anand KRISHNAN, Kavitha MURALIDHARAN and Sivakami IAS, read out from their works and explored the Mediterranean – south Indian i.e. the South-South parallel.

The Second Poetry Reading on Monday, 12 Dec, 2011 saw eminent poet Ranjit Hoskote read out a few of his translations of Lal Ded, a forerunner of Sufism in the Kashmir Valley. He read out from his translation of Lal Ded – a selection of 146 poems from the circulating corpus of Lalla’s utterances and rendered them freshly into English.

Day 3 of the Prakriti Fest @ MCC saw eminent poets from the Rabindranath Tagore Panel, perform a heartwarming recital at 11.30 am on 13 Dec.2011 in the Selaiyur Hall guest room.

Day 4 of the Prakriti Fest @ MCC saw poet, film maker and movie director Arjun Bali recite his poems to a rapt audience. He also had a ‘listener’s choice’ session. Our Principal Dr.Alexander Jesudasan then released the first variety ensemble of TEA @ MCC – Cornucopia, and Shri.Arjun C.Bali received the first copy of the book. Dr.Felix Moses and Dr.Stephen Jebanesan were present on the occasion.

07 February 2011, the third batch of students were taken in for the BEC preparatory Course.

On 21 January 2011, the film “To Kill a Mockingbird,” was screened, as part of the activities of LUDIC, the film appreciation club. The film is based on the classic Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, a legendary movie, uniquely strong and sensitive about racism and the ways of the Old South during the Depression in the 1930s.

On 22 January 2011, Dr.Magdalene gave a lecture on Feminism in the forenoon session. Dr.Joseph Dorairaj, Professor of English, Gandhigram Rural University, gave a lecture on Myth and Literature, Literary Theory Today in the post-lunch session.

On January 28, 2012, an Eco-walk was organized by Dr.K.Ganesh, as part of the Ecoliterature course for II MA English students.

On 12 March 2012, a UGC-Sponsored One-day National Seminar got off to a grand start on at 9 am at the Centre for Media Studies Auditorium. The key-note address by Prof. K. Srilata, IITM, tuned the audience to the theme of the session, “Post-independence Indian Writing in English.

The second issue of our Peer-reviewed Journal ‘Eclectic Representations’ was released by the key-note speaker on the occasion. There were in all sixteen paper presenters, who did great presentations, and answered questions with aplomb and dignity.

The cream of the afternoon session was the valedictory address by Dr. Premila Paul, Associate Professor of English, The American College, Madurai, who gave profound insights into the various facets of Post-Independence Indian Writing in English. The book Mapping Territories, containing papers of the participants, was released by Dr. Premila Paul, while Dr. Shanthi Manuel, Member of the Board, released the Student’ initiative ‘Cornucopia’.



Eclectic Representations: Peer-Reviewed Biannual Journal:

 

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The Department of English publishes a biannual peer-reviewed Journal titled Eclectic Representations ISSN 2231 – 430 X which covers English literature from the time of Chaucer to the present day.
• It features scholarly essays on diverse literatures like British, American, and Indian Writing to name a few.
• It encourages the re-reading of familiar authors, as well as those that champion new or neglected works.
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On 29 August 2012, The third issue of Eclectic Representations was released with much fanfare by Mr.T.Radhakrishnan, Addl. Director General of Police, Chennai. In the same vein, Dr.S.Armstrong, Head, Department of English, University of Madras, released Cornucopia, a student publication, in the Anderson Hall today, at 11:30 am.

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Development and extension plans of the Department for the next Five Years:

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Revolutionizing Curriculum Compacting For the Forthcoming Decade:

The English Department with a view to recontextualize and repurpose its Under Graduate and Post Graduate curriculum and syllabus to optimize robust contemporary paradigms, decided to completely revamp its current superannuated curriculum and syllabus. No such performance-driven initiative had been undertaken in the past thirty years. After a series of meetings in which all the staff members participated enthusiastically, the Department decided to factorize the latest developments in the field of contemporary critical theory and integrate global synergies in the envisioned cutting edge curriculum and syllabus to render it globally competitive. The department drafted new courses to be taught by individual teachers and not merely the discrete texts.

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All the teachers drafted at least three courses each – at least one core paper and two optional papers, following a uniform format for all the course descriptions clearly specifying the aims and objectives, the learning outcomes, the primary and secondary texts, the web resources, the teaching methodology and assessment methods for each course. Both canonical and non canonical texts, especially texts which had been recently ‘discovered’ have been included in all the course outlines. Courses linked to advertising, film studies, media, and technical writing, have been included for the first time to reflect the cultural aspects of Literary Studies. But most importantly all the newly proposed courses underscore a radically different methodology with a view to leverage the contemporary literary theories of New Historicism, Post Colonialism and Feminism which currently inform all aspects of Literary Studies in order to maximize the impactful research based pedagogical objectives.

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Language Lab:

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The departmental courses in linguistics and the English pronunciation skill based course is offered to all the students and an advanced learning system which dramatically enhances teaching and learning of elusive concepts, such as differences in pronunciation between English R.P. and American English or accent neutralization, by translating abstractions into real-world contexts and providing customized instruction and individualized assessments. A language laboratory has been set up to enhance the linguistic competence of the individual learners through accuracy in grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary.

These capacity building measures are vital to cultivate learning intensive functionalities to strategize and optimize the cooperative multiple intelligences of the entire team of the English Department of Madras Christian College to orchestrate next generation paradigms and methodologies purposing to maximize research-based teaching.

Acknowledgements:

We thank Mr. W.J. Pradeep, Manager, AIRCEL, Tamil Nadu, for spontaneously funding the entire amount of Rs. 20,000, towards the cost of the publication of Eclectic Representations, Vol. I, Issue 1.

We thank Prof. Dr. Ranganathan Narayanan, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, for creating an endowment for Rupees 1, 25, 000 in memory of his father the late Mr. T. G. Narayanan, an alumnus, eminent journalist with The Hindu and a former diplomat with the United Nations.

We thank Prof. Dr. Ranganathan Narayan, for creating another corpus of Rupees Three Lakhs for a series of endowment lectures in memory of his father Shri T. G. Narayanan.

Placements:

Ten of our students have been selected by the TRB, and placed meritoriously in various Government Colleges throughout the State.

Fourteen PG students were successfully placed with TCS in the last academic year.

Fifteeen of our students are working with reputed publishing houses like Oxford, Cambridge, etc.
Two of our students were selected by Google Inc. in the year 2010.

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Foreign Collaborations:

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The Department of English collaborates with the following Universities abroad, with regard to teaching/learning partnerships.

 Purdue University, Indiana, US
 Baruck College, City University of New York, US
 Concordia College, US
 Valparazo University, US
 Assumption University, Thailand

The Department of English gives periodic training in English Language Skills for Korean students. The first batch of students passed out with flying colours in August 2012.



Foreign Experts:

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The Department of English has always strived to get foreign experts in the various fields of study to augment its teaching pedagogies.

Dr.Dwight Atkinson, is part of the Editorial Board of our peer-reviewed Journal.
He visits the College on a regular basis from 2004 onwards.

Dr.Wayne Redpath from Scotland has been appointed as Guest Faculty, in the Department of English. He specializes in Critical Theory.

Remedial Teaching:

The Department of English offers Remedial teaching programmes every afternoon. Slow learners are given motivations through skill-based learning and innovative learning techniques to augment their potential.

Business English Certificate:

The Department has four qualified faculty to train students for the Business English Certificate Exams conducted by the University of Cambridge.

The sixth batch of students were trained from 30 August 2012 to 28 September 2012.