Three Day Workshop (September 22-24, 2010)
Resource Persons: Prof (Dr.) Rupinder Kaur, Head, Department of English, Punjabi University Patiala
Mr. HS Mann, Head, Dept. of English, Baba Farid College, Bathinda
Ms. Jashandeep Romana, Dept. of English, Baba Farid College, Bathinda
Ms. Rimpu, Dept. of English, Baba Farid College, Bathinda
Topic: Revisiting Socio-Literary History of Britain, Europe and America
Organised by: Department of English, Baba Farid College
A three-day workshop entitled “Revisiting Socio-Literary History of Britain, Europe and America” was organized by the Department of English, Baba Farid College from 22nd September, 2010 to 24th September, 2010. The workshop was organized with the sole motive of inculcating the ideas, aspects and issues related to the History of Britain, Europe and America. The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Rupinder kaur, Head Department of English, Punjabi University, Patiala. She threw light on the prominent movements and phases through which the History of English literature has gone through in her plenary lecture on the History of English Literature. She said that History should be read as a coherent whole so that its understanding is easier for the young scholars of literature. She traced the history of literature from the time scale of year 680 to the post modern era. Tracing the trajectory of the genre she talked about the Middle Ages, Renaissance, then about the Augustan Age, Romantic period, Victorian Age and the twentieth Century. She stressed that the study of history is very essential for the understanding of the subject. The inaugural session was graced by the presence of Dr. J.S. Hundal, Director Principal Baba Farid College of Engg. & Tech., Dr. Prabhjot Kaur, Principal Baba Farid College of Education, Shri B.D. Sharma, Head Department of Career Guidance and Counselling. After the Plenary address, vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. H.S. Mann, Head Department English, Baba Farid College.
After short tea break the first technical session was conducted by Prof. H.S. Mann. He talked of the History of English Literature beginning from “Christian Era to 1600”. His presentation charted out the developments in England from the dark ages to the enlightenment which came in the wake of Renaissance. He talked in detail about the major historical events such as the Roman invasion, the Anglo Saxon conquest, the Vikings’ raids and the Anglo Norman Conquest. He also talked about the French domination and discussed the events associated with the social unrest in the 14th Century, the Hundred-years war and so on. He also delineated the growth of different events which influenced and shaped the literary movements during the times. After the session the students asked their queries and were correspondingly satisfied.
The second day of the workshop i.e. 23rd September, 2010 commenced with the second technical session on “Jacobean age to Restoration period”. The lecture was delivered by Prof. Jashandeep Kaur Ramana. She gave a brief introduction of the Elizabethan period starting from 1558. She also discussed the history of the monarchy of the House of Stuarts. She talked in detail about the significant literary figures and periods of the age e.g. Caroline age (1625-1642) and (1642-1660) and its literary importance. She explained the formative difference between Shakespearean Drama and Jonson’s Drama. The beginning of the Restoration period from 1660-1700, the styles of drama and important pioneers of the age were the aspects which were looked upon.
The Third session on the Second day pertained to the study of “Neo-Classicism and the Rise of Novel”. Through power point presentations, Prof. H.S. Mann, taught the students that during this era, English Literature saw the ascending of the prose form over the poetry. He also talked about the Whig /Tory divide which is reflected in the satire of the age. Prof. Mann showed through his presentation that industrial revolution and exploration led to the rise of the middle class. Coffee houses and Clubs opened in large number which became effective sites of discussion, debate and exchange of ideas. This age saw the surge of periodicals. Prof. Mann also talked about the birth of novel which ascended over all other literary forms in the preceding ages.
The fourth technical session by Prof. H.S. Mann was on the twentieth century literature. His presentation showed that twentieth century is the age of enormous and violent changes. The age marred by two world wars was also an age of advancement. English literature saw continuous experimentation in literary techniques. Under the influence of psychologists like Sigmund Freud, the writers were now concerned about the inner life of the individuals. Prof. Mann also showed how the influence of Karl Marx led to the rise of socialist fiction.
The Fifth technical session was on Modern European Literature which was conducted by Prof. Rimpu. European literature is a significant part of world literature which has its roots in the medieval times. Prof. Rimpu discussed in detail about the eminent writers of the age as Henrik Ibsen who is regarded as the father of modern drama, Jean Paul Sartre, Albert Camus etc. She discussed the aspects and the theories of the time such as - The Theatre of the Absurd, the Epic Theatre, the Existentialism, Realism and Naturalism etc.
The last technical session was on American literature by Prof. H.S. Mann. He discussed how from a European colony America became a leading force in the world economy, politics and literature today. The presentation delineated the trajectory of American literature from the pre-colonial period through the colonial times to the post-colonial period. He covered the aspects such as Puritan Writing, Age of Reason, Romanticism, Transcendentalism, Modern and Post Modern literature etc. The session was highly applauded by the students and their respective feedbacks were collected.
The valedictory session of the workshop was attended by Prof. Pardeep Kaura, Associate Director, Baba Farid College and Shri B.D. Sharma, Head Department of Career Guidance and Counselling, among others. In his valedictory address, Prof. Kaura dicussed in detail how the literature of an age is influenced by the important political, economic, social and cultural happenings during a period. He congratulated the Department of English for organizing such an important event. Finally the vote of thanks was given by Prof. H.S. Mann, Head Department of English wherein He paid his gratitude to the authorities and the faculty of Department of English of assisting him. The report of the workshop was read by Prof. Nishtha Mahajan. Finally the workshop was great success and highly applauded.
