Year of establishment: 1952
Courses offered: BA, MA, and PhD Programmes in English Language and Literature
Add-On Course in Communicative English
VISION: Enabling Expression
MISSION: Enhancing Communicative Skills
Laying a strong foundation in the Subject
Inculcating a sound critical sense
Fostering Research Aptitude
Empowering through Gender Awareness
Effecting Inner Growth through Literature
The Department of English was one of the founding pillars of Providence Women’s College when the college was established in 1952. Headed by Sister M. Berchmans, A.C., the first English faculty, the department added the power and beauty of English language and literature to the educational and empowering mission of the college. The department gained in stature and strength when Prof. Rose J Andrews joined in 1954, followed in subsequent years, by Prof. Radha S.Nair, Prof. Maya Premanand, Prof. Seetha Ramakrishnan and Prof. Joan Williams.
With the introduction of the BA English programme in 1982, the department earned the stature of a much sought-after centre for learning. Dr. M. D. Radhika and Dr. Lalitha Menon steered the department to new heights, ably partnered by Ms. Ancy Mathew, Ms. Tessie Thanjan, Ms. Beulah Thomas, Ms. Leeji Francis, Ms. Remani C.E., and the present faculty. The PG Programme was launched in 1999. Women’s Studies is the core strength of the UG and PG curriculum adopted by the department.
The department has an impressive roll of honour with 23 University ranks for UG and one rank for PG down the years. The progression from UG to PG is above 90%. The Pass Percentage has been high throughout. Subsequently, the Demand Ratio for the courses offered is very high. 25 of our students have cleared the National Eligibility Test conducted by the UGC.
The alumnae of the department are well-placed in various fields of enterprise. A good number of them are employed as faculty in colleges and universities, teachers in schools and as journalists and writers. The department maintains strong bonds with the alumnae through ELAN, the English Literature Alumnae Association.
Research Centre
The department is a research centre affiliated to the University of Calicut, specialising in Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, and Film Studies, in addition to English Language and Literature. See more.
Research Journal – Diotima’s
The department publishes Diotima’s: A Journal of New Readings, an annual peer-reviewed research journal with a focus on new readings in English literature and related areas. Twelve issues of the journal have come out so far.
Annual Research Conference CON-TEXTS
Since 2018, the PG students have been organising an annual research seminar titled CON-TEXTS. Three editions of the seminar were conducted in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Following a short hiatus during the pandemic, the series was resumed in 2022-23 with the active participation of the research scholars.
Clubs
The co-curricular activities of the department are initiated under the various clubs that the Department has launched, to provide the students opportunities for skill development and personal growth. These are:
Bookscape – the Readers’ Club
Repertoire – the Theatre Club
Crossfire – the Debating Club
TransVision – the Radio Club
Mise-en-Scene – the Film Club
Avant-Garde– the Innovation Club
Grassroots – the Environment Club
Extension Activities
The Department engages in three major Extension activities – students offering tuition in Varadoor LP School, voluntary services in SUMAN Rehabilitation Centre for mentally challenged women, and the Mother Veronica Library for the women and children of the college neighbourhood.
Career Guidance
The Department is a Training Partner of ASAP, the Additional Skills Acquisition Programme of the Govt. of Kerala. This programme offers training in Communicative English and IT skills in order to improve the employability quotient of the students.