About the Department

Centre for Comparative Literature

Study of literature of one language or one country appears inadequate in view of the multi-dimensional nature of globalization, localization, identity politics and other similar concerns. Comparative literature as a discipline emerged as a consequence of the need of the changing times. It tries to negotiate the boundaries and initiate dialogue between cultures, languages and literatures at various levels. A first of its kind in the state of Punjab, Centre for Comparative Literature sought to incorporate a wide range of subjects under its purview, an approach highly conducive for a vast multi-lingual, multi-cultural country like India.

With effect from Academic Session 2016-17, the Centre for Comparative Literature and Centre for Classical and Modern Languages were merged to form Centre for Languages and Comparative Literature.

Centre for Languages and Comparative Literature/Department of Languages and Comparative Literature

Centre for Languages and Comparative Literature was formed in 2016 after merging of Centre for Comparative Literature and Centre for Classical and Modern Languages. With this merging, study of literature of various languages was brought under a common umbrella. In 2017, nomenclature of Centres was changed to Departments, so this centre was renamed as Department of Languages and Comparative Literature. M.A. English, M.A. Hindi and M.A. Punjabi, three programmes were offered under this department apart from doctoral programmes.

In 2018, after UGC approval, the independent Department of Hindi was established, and the faculty related to the discipline of Hindi was shifted to the new department. In 2019, UGC granted approval for independent Department of Punjabi, so the erstwhile Department of Languages and Comparative Literature ceased to exist and two independent departments viz. Department of English and and Department of Punjabi came into existence in July 2019.