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Monday, September 29, 2008

I JPEng, IFEP topics for End Sem OE preparation

Some preparation around the following topics/concepts might be of use

  • Frame narrative
  • Characteristics of the Anglo Saxon poetry : 1. From Wiki 2. An excellent comprehensive ppt - copy and paste the following link in the URL : wwwf.countryday.net/FacStf/US/marting/ShakespodosphearePodcasts/AngloSaxon/Anglo-Saxon%20Poetry.pps
  • Sonnet
  • Renaissance
  • Characteristics of Shakespeare's sonnets
  • Romanticism
  • Epic
  • Mock-epic
  • Elizabethan theatre
  • Restoration
  • Comedy
  • Comedy of manners
  • Restoration comedy
  • Tragedy
  • Shakespearean tragedy
  • Sentimental comedy
  • History of essay
  • Graveyard Poets
  • Characteristics of the poems of important English Romantics
  • Origin and gowth of novel genre


... and the good/bad news is ... NO QUESTIONS ON PRINT CULTURE - NATION-STATES!!!!!!


Abey has asked for material on the topics put up above. Do not know if time permits. Most of the topics like, tragedy have material in "A Glossary of Literary Terms" by MH Abrams. The reference section has a copy. UG section also might have. Look for the topics not on the content page or alphabetically. Instead look up in the index section at the end of the book.


Alternatively, you can also post your online finds in the comment section below. What say u?


PS: Passing of this info to your classmates might help them

Extra Innings!!!!!!!!!

The II Sem JPEng has asked me to spend more time on Alexander's Feast. We will meet to discuss this poem more on 4 Oct. at 9 am sharp in I JPEng classroom

Some V Sem FEP and PSEng students have asked for some time to clarify. I will make myself available in Room 109 at 2 pm sharp on 4 Oct. However, I wish that you post your questions/ areas to touch upon in the comments sections below (preferabley) or email me. I will take up those that are feasible.

Due to evaluation work, PG classes, and other academic work, I may not be able to entertain queries thereafter.

All the best.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

As we come to the end of the Certificate Course on Philosophy/Existentialism



We have come to the end of the Certificate Course in Existentialism/Philosophy which began on 30 June 2008. Come to think of it, we have spent three months engaging with the topic.

First of all let me thank all of you - UG and PG students, especially those who have been supporting all the certificate courses i organise, office and teaching staff of the University, and those from industry for having taken part in this course. I am extremely grateful to Dr Kachappilly for teaching the course. I am not sure but for this semester we could have ever been able to get him. I personally appreciate his down-to-earth attitude and scholarship.

I thank my colleague and friend Padmakumar for chipping in during emergencies, and being a constant support in all my activities.

I am grateful to Associate Dean and HOD-Media Studies, Mr Kennedy for helping me make the course happen, Certificate Course Co-ordinator, Mr George and Dean Prof Krishnaswamy for their cooperation, and the management for their regular support for such innovative activities.

A gentle reminder about the viva on Monday between 3 and 4 and 5 and 6. The last date for paper submission is 5 Oct. You may email your papers to me.

I am planning to organise a Certificate Course in Indian Philosophy which will be an introduction to the six systems of Indian Philosophy in the the first two weeks of December 2008. Will be in touch as it materialises. Those interested are welcome.

(Photoes : Swatilekha Doloi)

Site on Literary Theory and Criticism

Aneesha has sent sites on literary theory and criticism. Here they are...
1. Critical Reading: An Introduction to Literary Theory and Criticism
2. Dr Kristi Siegel's webpage

Below are the one's I have come across for more extensive academic engagement.
1. Marxists Internet Archive
2. Semiotics for Beginners
3. Textetc.com
4. Philosophy Study Guides from Sparknotes

'Paradise Lost' extract - notes

Siddarth has asked me to post material on the exact from Paradise Lost. Here it is.
1. From Sparknotes
2. From Pinkmonkey
3. A paper on invocation

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Announcement - Certificate Course in Philosophy

Next Saturday, 27 September 2008 will be the last day of the Certificate Course in Existentialism class. Dr Kachappilly will discuss Nietzsche on that day. Those interested are welcome.

There will be a photo session of the course participants after the class. Would request those who have digital camera to come with one as I do not have access to one.

On 28 Sept 2008, 2 pm onwards there will be viva for evaluation in Dr Kachappilly's office, DVK Auditorium Block near University car park.

Alternatively, those who wish to submit papers in the normal research paper format my do so latest by 5 October.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

'Tyger' and 'Lamb' by William Blake

The Lamb (1789)
1. From Wikipedia
2. Write up by Ralph Dumain

The Tyger (1794)
1. From Sparknotes
2. From Wikipedia
3. Lecture on Youtube
4. 'Understanding William Blake's "Tyger"'

'The Lamb and the Tyger: Binary Archetypes' by Dr Sebastian Mahfood

Note: I wanted to mention in the class today that Blake married Catherine Boucher, an illiterate, whom he taught to read and write, and to help him in engraving and printing.

IFEP OE CIA 3 Test

Tomorrow between 11 and 12 there will be Optional English CIA 3 Test on Northanger Abbey. The questions will include objective types, fill in the blanks and true or false. There will be 20 questions in all carrying one mark each. All the best.