Experiential Learning is Exponential Learning” is the slogan of the Association of Department of English. The annual association activities comprise Literospectrum, a week-long celebration of literature-based activities. However, the pandemic deflected self-expression from the stage on campus to the virtual platform. Turning adversity to opportunity, the Department of English launched 5 clubs – Film and Visual Media, Theatre and Public Speaking, Visual Art and Creative Writing, Readers’ Planet, Western Music. Every club functions under the guidance of a patron from outside the college and a mentor (from the faculty of the department). The office bearers (President and Secretary) were elected by the respective club members. The Western Music Club and the Theatre and Public Speaking meet online every alternate Friday (i.e. there is a fortnightly session on Wednesdays for each of these clubs). Similarly, Readers’ Planet (a Book Club for UG students) and In Tandem meet every alternate Friday. (i.e each of these clubs has a fortnightly meeting). The Visual Arts and Creative Writing Club held ArtEx2021, an Art Exhibition on 1/11/21. There was an overwhelming response and 60 students exhibited their art work. A huge number of students and faculty came to see the art works on display. There was a steady stream of visitors to the exhibition throughout the day. The paintings of Prof. Kamalakkannnan, Assistant Professor of English, Presidency College (and Patron, Visual Art and Creative Writing Club) were on display at the event. The Film and Visual Media Club collaborated with SPICMACAY to screen La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928) film by Carl Theodore Dreyer on 26 /11/21. The screening was followed by interaction with Shikha Jhingan, Academician and Expert in Film Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.
In Tandem, the Research Club of the college which was started in 2018 was revived in 2021. The Department of English has consistently conducted club activities on a fortnightly basis for In Tandem (Research Club): every session has proved to be enriching especially for the postgraduate students, M.Phil and PhD scholars of the department who are full-time members of the club. In every In Tandem session there are paper presentations by PG students/research scholars/faculty. Every session has a subject expert as Chairperson. In Tandem was inaugurated by Dr. Uma Maheswari, Principal, Queen Mary’s College on 14/7/21. The department had the privilege of all the clubs (for UG students) being inaugurated by renowned film director, Mr. Vetrimaaran.
Education at Queen Mary’s College is the privilege of a lifetime, not only because of classroom teaching, but also the efforts of the faculty to provide experiential learning through club activities. Eight hundred and thirty six students have enrolled themselves in the various clubs.
