The Department of English and Literary Studies is expected to commence academic activities in October 2019; 2019/2020 academic session. Like other departments in the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, the department is certain to enjoy a degree of autonomy in its academic and administrative activities, subject to the overall control of the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, and the University Senate. At present, the department has no students’ enrolment.

In line with the National Universities Commission (NUC) Benchmark Minimum Average Standards (BMAS) for Undergraduate programmes in Nigerian Universities (Humanities and Arts), the department is expected to offer a four-year degree programme leading to the award of the Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in English and Literary Studies. The department would enable the students to obtain a general grounding in all aspects of English and Literary Studies.

In a country where English is an added language, a major official language, a lingua franca, and the language of instruction in the educational system, a high level of proficiency in it is usually expected from the graduates of higher institutions, especially the universities. A higher level of competence and communicative skills is expected even more from graduates of English. This is why there is a need for devoting greater attention to the achievement of improved knowledge of English and the acquisition of adequate oral and written skills in it. English graduates from Nigerian universities should be clearly and positively identified with adequate proficiency in pronunciation, articulateness in speech, the correctness of grammar and usage, elegance and style in diction in the choice of an appropriate variety of English for use in the various administrative and professional job opportunities available in the labour market, in literary and creative writing domains, and in postgraduate studies in language and literature.

1. To equip the students with adequate linguistic knowledge of the English Language through a detailed study of its sound system, its lexicon, its syntax, semantics and usage.

1. To train students to acquire adequate communicative competence in both the spoken and written varieties of the English language, thereby giving them a good grounding and effective mastery of the Language in its various applications to achieve adequate self-expression and self-actualisation.

1. To adequately prepare the students to pursue postgraduate studies in English Language, Linguistics, and to take up teaching and research at the appropriate level of education.
2. To orient students towards self-employment by a focus on skills such as writing (e.g. of articles in magazines, of speeches; designing and presenting special programs on radio or TV, designing and publishing magazines etc.), creative writing, and other kinds of original output through independent thought, inventiveness and creativity.
3. To enable students to overcome deficiencies in their English.

1. To produce graduates who possess an informed literary and aesthetic sensibility and intellectual tools to appreciate any literary stimulus and event.
2. To equip students with adequate knowledge of major landmarks in Literature in English in all genres and periods.
3. To produce skilful and eloquent users of English for literary and artistic creativity.
4. To impart a humanistic perspective to students by acquainting them with literature as an expression of lofty ideas and aspirations.
5. To train students to relate literary works and experiences to their social environment.
6. To stimulate in the students the aptitude for creativity and innovation in the exploration of investment opportunities in the culture and art industry.
7.  

1. 5 credit level passes in the SSCE/NECO/GCE (O/L) examinations in relevant subjects including English Language and Literature in English for the 4 – year (8-Semester) programme.

English

1. A minimum of 2 GCE (Advanced Level) passes one of which must be Literature in English for the 3-year (6-Semester) programme.

Literature in English

1. 5 credit level passes in the SSCE/NECO/GCE (O/L) in relevant subjects including English Language and Literature for the four years programme.
2. 3 “A” Level GCE passes including one in Literature and SSS Level pass in English Language (a three-year programme).

Since degrees in Nigeria are graded from first class to third class Degree Levels; it is crucial that procedures for the attainment of these classes of degrees are clearly spelt out as follows:

1. 4.50 – 5.00 First Class
2. 3.50 – 4.49 Second Class Honours (Upper Division)
3. 2.50 – 3.49 Second Class Honours (Lower Division)
4. 1.50 – 2.49 Third Class Division
5. 0.00 – 1.49 Fail

The class of degree to be awarded will be based on the final CGPA attained at the end of the programme as follows:

CGPA  CLASS OF DEGREE

4.50 – 5.00  First Class Honours

3.50 – 4.49   Second Class Honours (Upper Division)

2.50 – 3.49  Second Class Honours (Lower Division)

1.50 –  2.49    Third Class Division