English is the most common language for global travel and communication and the most widely spoken worldwide. Learning English ensures that Indians can interact with individuals globally and erase cultural boundaries and promoting intercultural communication. English Literature on the other hand, helps us understand the social, political, economic and cultural aspects of the United Kingdom and other English speaking nations which were mostly former colonies of England – the United States, Canada, Australia, through poems and plays, novels and short stories. Postcolonial literature has expanded the world of literature in English by including English literature written in non-English speaking countries as well, notably the Indian sub-continent and Africa. This literature explores the causes and consequences of colonization of a country, raising questions relating to the political and cultural independence of formerly subjugated people, and themes such as racialism. Translation has phenomenally added to English literature – the ancient classics of Greece and Rome, foreign ancient and contemporary literature from Europe, Africa and South America; and even non-English Indian literature, are all available to an under-graduate student through translations. All this literature can help to make better sense of our world, our lives and ourselves, as literature gives us an enriched understanding of other worlds, lives and times, of the way things have been and how they might be in future.

The Department at present offers Under-graduate Courses in Honours and General. The University of Calcutta introduced ‘Choice Based Credit System’ (CBCS) from 2018-2022 for the students allowing them to choose Core, Skill and Discipline Specific Elective courses of study. The English Department offered English Honours and General; and also Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses (AECC) and Language Core Course (LCC) in Regular and Alternative English. As per the New Education Policy, 2020; introduced by the University of Calcutta from the session 2023-24, the English Department also offers English Major and Minor Courses along with Compulsory AEC Courses.