Vision: Women Empowerment

OBJECTIVES:
Impart holistic education giving preference to rural, first generation, economically backward women.
Equip women to contribute at the national and global levels.
Sensitize students to human values and human rights through literature.
Hone communication skills for better placements and global mobility.
Use technology based teaching/ learning strategies.
Reconstruct curriculum to face challenges of society.

History:

The Department of English was established in 1957-58.English was taught both as language and literature in the UG programme. Only British and American literatures were included in the Major syllabus. But at present under CBCS(Choice Based Credit System), New literatures, ELT, Grammar, Linguistics, Translation studies, Journalism, American Studies (IDO) are included. The department offers PG and UG programmes, Certificate course, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses . Research and consultancy has been strengthened. Recently the department has undertaken a Major Research Project titled “Teaching English for the Visually Impaired”. MoU with DHAN Foundation and Rotary Helen Keller Talking Book Library increase students’ job opportunities. Language lab enables ICT based teaching and learning. The department has produced its own text books for Part II General English syllabi.

Infrastructure Facilities:

In order to a) assure quality, b) increase global competency and c) move from talk and chalk methods to ICT based teaching/ learning process, the department is equipped with i) Department library, ii) Language Laboratory, iii) American Studies, and iv) Major Research Project Library. These libraries stock a number of latest books, CDs, Audio and Video cassettes that are regularly used in class rooms, language lab, e- class rooms and Audio visual room. Computers, printer and scanner in the department, and the Research Centre are added assets to the department.

Programmes Offered: 1. UG Programme 2. PG Programme

Thrust Areas:

Part II General English:
Communicative English for global parity
English Attainment Test
Bridge Course
Regular Remedial classes
Streamlined material produced by the Department
Scope for upward mobility
LSRW skills are developed in classes and are evaluated in all Internal tests and End Semester examinations.
Spoken English course incorporated in General English.

UG & PG Major Syllabi:

Add-on Courses:
 1.Diploma- 2 in a) Translation Techniques b) Functional English

2.Advanced Diploma -2 ina) Translation Techniques b) Functional English

Extension Activity: “ From Classroom to Community”- III UG students teach English to students of class IX in Government High School and Visalakshi Mills High School, Paravai, on a one to one basis, once a week, throughout the academic year.

Faculty Profile:
No. of Staff – 18
No. of Ph.Ds –5
Staff pursuing Ph.D- 3
Staff who have
submitted Ph.D Thesis } – 1
No. of MPhils- 8

Research and Consultancy:
Faculty members have been the active members of Boards of Studies of various colleges and universities, chairpersons in International / National/ Regional conferences, members of Doctoral Committees, Ph.D/ M.Phil guides, Resource persons for Refresher courses, examiners for M.Phil dissertations and Subject Expert for Selection Committee for Staff Recruitment.

Faculty members have offered communicative skills courses to
a) students in schools and colleges, b) students in community college LTI, Madurai, c) Staff of Fenner Conveyor Belting Private Ltd., Madurai. Many members have published books and articles.

Special Recognitions and Honours:
2 members of the faculty (Dr. Geetha and Dr. Magdalene) have visited US and Japan. They are also associated with Fulbright Committee. Dr.Geetha is also a member of the steering committee of South East Asian American Studies Association Selected by USEFI. 4 members of the faculty (Dr. Bridgetta Jeyaseelan- Principal Investigator, Dr.Geetha and Dr.Magdalene- Co –Investigators, Ms.Aarthi-Project Associate) have undertaken a 10 lakh – UGC sponsored Major Research Project titled “ Teaching English for the Visually Impaired”(2006- 2009). 2 members (Dr.Eva D’Cruz and Ms.Rosary Royar) have pursued counselling courses. Ms.Rosary Royarhas published many spiritual books. Faculty members have held various administrative and interdepartmental activities and posts. Report writing for NAAC- accreditation, NAAC- Reaccreditation and MKU- Best College Award has been successfully undertaken by the faculty members.

ALUMNAE PROFILE:
 

Successfully Placed Alumnae Academicians: India
DR. PADMA SRINIVASAN, RTD. PROFESSOR-MKU
DR. PREMILA PAUL, READER, THE AMERICAN COLLEGE, MADURAI
DR. PARAMESHWARI, HOD,DEPT OF COMPARATIVE LITERATURE, MKU
DR. LAKSHMI,READER GANDHIGRAM DEEMED UNIVERSITY
MRS. HANIFA GHOSH, PRINCIPAL C.T.T.E. COLLEGE, CHENNAI
MRS. MALARVIZHI, CAREER CONSULTANT
ACADEMICIANS ABROAD: U.S.A.
DR. SUDHA SWAMINATHAN,ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, EAST CONNECTICUT UNIVERSITY

Journalists:India
MRS. VIJAYALAKSHMI, CHIEF EDITOR, THE INDIAN EXPRESS, CHENNAI
MS. MEYAMMAI, REPORTER, INDIAN EXPRESS, MADURAI
S. S. KAVITHA, REPORTER, THE HINDU, MADURAI
MS. MALARVIZHI,ACADEMIC CONSULTANT, FORMERLY NEWS EDITOR, NDTV
JOURNALISTS ABROAD: U.K.
PRASANNA – FREELANCE
MS. SHOBANA RAMACHANDRAN, M.D, TVS SRI CHAKRA, MADURAI -TOP RANKING INDUSTRIALIST IN INDIA
MRS. UMA MAHESHWARI, RECIPIENT OF PRESIDENT’S ‘KATHA’ AWARD WRITER (NOVELIST)

Other Information:
1. Conduct of National Workshops:
a. UGC sponsored:
“Native Women Writers as Champions of Human Rights”- September 2& 3, 2004.
b. Airtel and AD India sponsored :
“Emerging Trends in Advertising”- December 10&11, 2007

2. Conduct of Regional Workshops:
a. “Material Production” by Fr.Peter Francis, Reader, Dept. of English, Loyola College,Chennai.

b. “Spoken English” by Mrs.Shanthi Balaiah, Trichy.
c. “Print and Visual Media” by Mr. Gowtham Gosh and Ms.Malarvizhi, Chennai.
3. Healthy Practices:
Empathy for the less privileged
Empathy for the less privileged:
Academic:
EA Test
Bridge course
Remedial courses
Restructuring syllabus and testing components
Major Research Project for the Visually Impaired.

Social:
Visiting sick students
Creating student profile
Meetings with students’ parents

Psychological:
Mentor system
Class teacher – tutoring

Financial:
Establishment of Student Aid Fund- each staff member of the Dept, contributes Rs.500/- every year; the fund is utilized to help students to
pay semester fees
buy books/ clothes
meet their dire needs
Study tours, field trips, extension activities.
Regular departmental meetings.

Photo Galley:
 

Expert Opinion
The Part II English syllabus is one of the best designed to satisfy the needs of students….The genuine interest the syllabus framers have in their students’ improvement is evidenced in their attempt to stream their students….The framers have broken a new ground by doing away with lock-stop approach”
- Dr. P. Vasudevan
Reader in English
SAC , Devakottai



 

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