Mumbai: The syllabus for the B.A. English course in Mumbai University is set to be updated this year to include writing that spans a variety of cultures and perspectives.
New authors will be included in the Indian Writing and American Writing papers, which are worth 100-marks each at the end of each term. In Indian Writing, Manjula Padmanabhan will be added to the second-term drama syllabus and Meena Kandasamy will be added to the poetry syllabus. “Both are contemporary authors. Ms. Padmanabhan is as contemporary as Indian writing gets, and Ms. Kandasamy’s is a Dalit and female perspective that has not been represented in our syllabus thus far,” said Deepa Katre, professor at Annasaheb Vartak College, Vasai.
Instead of the Core Concepts theory paper that has been in place since 2012-13, the new theory syllabus will feature essays by Indian writers. “These will not only explain key concepts, but will do so through writers who will introduce students to modern ways of writing and thinking,” said Ms. Katre. These will include essays by Urvashi Butalia, Bhisham Sahni, Vijay Tendulkar and Makarand Paranjape.
The syllabus will give students a grounding in contemporary writing as well as historical context. “For example, knowledge of the Partition is enhanced through writings by Ms. Butalia and Mr. Sahni. Postcolonialism, a key current concept of literature and the humanities, is explained through an essay by Jasbir Jain,” she added.
The American Writing paper, too, will include a variety of cultural perspectives. “These will introduce students to the contemporary multicultural mosaic of American life. The previous syllabus focussed mainly on white writers. We have tried to broaden that focus,” said Dinesh Kumar, professor at V. G. Vaze College. “Authors like Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Amy Tan and Jhumpa Lahiri have been added to include immigrant and black voices.”
Every year, one year’s syllabus of the B.A. English course is revised, so that in three years, the syllabus is updated entirely. Last year, the first-year syllabus was revised. “Updating the syllabus is essential to ensure student interest and to keep the syllabus engaging,” said Ms. Katre. “We hope students respond positively.”
