Beyond the Headlines: Resilience and Reinvention of English Studies
J. JOHN SEKAR
*
Research Department of English, Academic Policies & Administration, The American College, Madurai – 625 002, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study critically examines the reported crisis in English literature education within UK and Indian universities and focuses on claims of institutional course closures, declining enrolments, and shifting perceptions of disciplinary value. Drawing on eight significant policy and media reports from both regions, the research employs qualitative content analysis to identify underlying narratives and thematic patterns. The findings reveal regional divergences, misrepresentations in public discourse, and the persistent vitality of English departments through acts of resilience, pedagogic innovation, and intellectual excellence. The inclusion of critical perspectives from Indian academia offers a comparative lens to assess the broader global implications. Ultimately, the study proposes actionable recommendations for reimagining English studies as a field that retains both contemporary relevance and enduring civic and intellectual worth.
Keywords: English literary studies, higher education, curriculum, media discourse, literary value, enrolment trends, crisis narrative, resilience