JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY
School of Languages , Literature and Culture Studies

The School of Languages, Literature and Culture Studies of the University is the only institution of its kind in the country where facilities for teaching and research in most of the major foreign languages are available. It is different from other language institutions as it provides training in modern languages up to the Ph.D level with particular reference to the life and civilization of the languages community concerned.

The languages of a country is of vital importance in the understanding of its society and culture and hence in determining the reactions of this country to international events, an attempt is made to introduce students to the ethos of the foreign country through the teaching of its language, literature, and civilization, as well as through courses in specialised translation and interpretation; Language courses attempt to give students an active knowledge of the foreign language through the use of audio-visual teaching methods.

Centres and their Programmes of Study

1. Centre of Ar abic and African Studies: M.Phil./Ph.D. in Arabic, M.A. in Arabic, B.A. (Hons.) 2nd year in Arabic, B.A. (Hons.) 1st year in Arabic.

2. Centre for Persian and Central Asian Studies : M.Phil./Ph.D. in Persian, M.A. in Persian, B.A. (Hons.) 2nd year in Persian, B.A. (Hons.) 1st year in Persian, Advance Diploma in Proficiency in Pushtu, Diploma in Proficiency in Pushtu, Certificate of Proficiency in Pushtu.

3. Centre for Japanese and North-East Asian Studies: M Phil./ Ph.D. in Japanese, M.A. in Japanese, B.A. (Hons.) 2nd year in Japanese, B.A (Hons.) 2nd year in Korean, B.A. (Hons.) 1st year in Japanese, B.A. (Hons.) 1st year in Korean, Certificate of Proficiency in Mongolian.
The Centre offers postgraduate programme of developing expertise in Japanese language with emphasis on language, literature, translation and interpretation. The programme provides sound knowledge of history, society and culture of Japan to enable the students to take up research in area studies ss well.

4. Centre for Chinese & South-East Asian Studies: M.Phil./Ph.D. in Chinese, M.A. in Chinese, B.A. (Hons.) 2nd year in Chinese, B.A. (Hons.) 1st year in Chinese, Diploma in Proficiency in Bhasa Indonesia , Certificate of Proficiency in Bhasa Indonesia .

The Centre offers a unique programme in training students in Chinese language with an intensive specialized training in the common spoken variety of China (Putunghua). Apart from having a practical proficiency in the language concerned, students are also familiarized systematically with various aspects of life in China and other Chinese-speaking areas in the South-East Asia . The aim of the programme, therefore, is to stimulate and facilitate young scholars to engage themselves in advanced level language-based studies on language, literature, history and culture of China and South-East Asian countries.

5. Centre of French and Francophone Studies : M.Phil./Ph.D. in French, M.A. in French, B.A. (Hons.) 2nd year in French, B.A. (Hons.) 1st year in French.

The Centre is actively engaged in developing interdisciplinary programmes of research and instructions in French with a view to promoting in students a world perspective and a spirit of international cooperation and understanding and respect for different civilization and cultures. It is also engaged in the promotion of Francophone studies.

Students are permitted to opt and register for literature translation-Integration programmes as per the recommendations of the centre based on availability of seats and on their performance in the written as well as viva-voce examination.

Language courses:
Language courses aim at developing competence and proficiency in spoken as well as written French. Beginners are taught by means of audiovisual techniques, language laboratory, films, etc.

Literature:
Literature is studied as a specific discipline in itself. And hence an attempt is made to impart to students specific vocabulary and methods of literary analysis. Literature being at the same time a social phenomenon, its links with the socio-historical context are underlined. Thematic approach to the study of literature is envisaged.