Department of English & Literature

The Women Development Cell along with PG Department of English Language and Literature of GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous) organized a program titled The Colour Purple - Discussion Dome: Can Men be Feminists? on 11 March 2026 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM in MPN Hall. The event aimed to explore thoughts on feminism and gender, encouraging debate on gender roles and equality. The program began with a welcome speech by Ms. Ashima Thodengal, Assistant Professor and WDC Coordinator. A guest talk was delivered by Ms. Nimmi Ayyappan Parambil, focusing on what feminism is and feminist movements. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Sulthana Afroza PP, facilitating diverse viewpoints on the theme. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Fathima Hamna, S2 MA English Language and Literature. The event provided awareness about inclusive feminism and sparked meaningful dialogue among participants regarding men’s role in advocating gender equality. The program was successful in engaging attendees and promoting thoughtful reflection on societal perceptions of feminism.

INTERSECT’26 – International Multidisciplinary Conference
Theme: Memory, Modernity, Media: From Archives to Algorithm
Dates: 16–17 February 2026
Mode: Hybrid (Offline at Theatre & Research Centre; Online via Google Meet and YouTube Live)
The PG Department of English Language and Literature, GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Ramapuram, successfully organized INTERSECT’26, a two-day International Multidisciplinary Conference on 16th and 17th February 2026. The conference explored the evolving relationship between memory, modernity, and media, focusing on the shift from traditional archives to algorithm-driven digital cultures. It brought together scholars, faculty members, research scholars, and students from across India and abroad to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue spanning literature, media studies, sociology, cultural studies, and technology.
The conference commenced with the inaugural session on 16 February 2026 at 10:00 AM. The Welcome Address was delivered by Ms. Sulthana Afrosa PP (HoD), followed by an introduction to the theme by Mr. Rihas KT. The inaugural address was delivered by Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University, who spoke on the fragmentation of the global media landscape, the decline of authority, and the rise of polarization in digital knowledge production. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. B. G. Unni, Academic and Research Director, GEMS ASC (Autonomous). Felicitations were offered by dignitaries of the institution, and the session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Shibila A, Assistant Professor and Conference Coordinator.
The plenary sessions across two days featured distinguished speakers. On Day 1, S. A. Ajims (Senior News Editor, MediaOne) spoke on “Entering the Conversation: Memory, Modernity and Media.” On Day 2, Dr. K. M. Sherrif (Retd. Associate Professor, University of Calicut) delivered a lecture titled “Social Media: Alice’s Wonderland and Nightmare?”, and Avinash Kumar (Associate Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University) addressed the theme “Neoliberal Globalisation and Imperialism of the Mind.” The sessions were chaired by eminent academicians from various institutions, ensuring rigorous academic engagement.
A major highlight of INTERSECT’26 was the paper presentation sessions conducted in both online and offline modes. A total of 68 papers were presented (27 online and 41 offline), covering diverse areas such as digital memory, algorithmic culture, AI, trauma studies, postcolonialism, platform culture, cinema studies, gender and queer theory, ecological trauma, and subaltern studies. The sessions reflected strong interdisciplinary participation and critical engagement with contemporary media ecologies.
The valedictory session on 17 February 2026 included the Conference Report presentation, participant reflections, and certificate distribution. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Shibila A.
INTERSECT’26 was a resounding success, fostering meaningful academic exchange on memory, media, and modernity. The hybrid format ensured inclusivity and wider participation, reinforcing GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous) as a vibrant centre for interdisciplinary research and scholarly dialogue.

The PG Department of English conducted a "Project/Dissertation Workshop" on 8th December 2025 at MP Narayana Menon Hall with the objective of guiding 3rd year graduate and postgraduate students in the essential components of academic research. The session was led by Ms. Shibila A, Research scholar, JRF at PG and Research department of English Govt. Victoria college, Palakkad and also assistant professor of Gems Arts and Science college Ramapuram. The resource person, whose expertise greatly contributed to the effectiveness of the workshop.
The programme began with an introduction to the fundamentals of research, including topic selection, framing research questions, and understanding research ethics. Ms. Shibila A elaborated on the structure of a dissertation, covering key chapters such as introduction, literature review, methodology, analysis, and conclusion. She also provided practical tips on citation styles, academic writing techniques, and the use of reliable sources.
The workshop offered valuable insights into common challenges faced by students during research and provided clear strategies to overcome them. Participants appreciated the interactive nature of the session, which allowed them to clarify doubts and gain confidence in preparing their academic projects. Overall, the programme proved to be highly informative and beneficial for all postgraduate students. Total 54 students are participated in the programme.

The PG Department of English Language and Literature, GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous), organised “Cinematica – Where Stories Come Alive on Screen” on 30 July 2026 at Syndicate Movies, Koppam. The programme was conducted from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Mr. Yunus T., Speaker and Social Critic, as the resource person.

The programme focused on developing students’ understanding and appreciation of cinema as an important cultural and artistic medium. The first session, “Classical Movies: A Talk on the Timeless Magic of Cinema,” explored the significance, artistic value, and enduring appeal of classical films. Students were encouraged to explore, analyse, and appreciate cinema critically.

The second session, “The Odyssey: A Film by Christopher Nolan,” students watched and appreciated the movie "The Odyssey" (2026), directed by Christopher Nolan

The programme provided students with an engaging opportunity to examine cinema beyond entertainment and to develop a more critical perspective on films, storytelling, and visual culture. The sessions were interactive and intellectually stimulating, making Cinematica a meaningful academic and cultural initiative of the department.

The PG Department of English Language & Literature, in collaboration with the Film Club of GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous), successfully conducted the academic session "Ways of Watching: Core Concepts in Film Studies". The event took place yesterday on Thursday, 16 July 2026, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in Room 402 of the college campus. Sanal Sudhakaran, an Assistant Professor from the Department of Multimedia, served as the resource person, bringing valuable interdisciplinary expertise to the department's initiative.

By organizing this session, the English department aimed to expand the students' analytical horizons beyond traditional literature into the realm of visual narratives. Under the motto "Let's watch. Let's think Let's understand," the program enabled attendees to grasp core theoretical concepts in film studies and develop critical skills for interpreting movies. The department's collaborative effort effectively taught students how to connect cinematic techniques with narrative, ideology, and culture.

The session concluded with an interactive feedback loop, allowing students to clarify doubts and actively discuss modem cinematic trends with the speaker. Following this lively exchange, a formal vote of thanks was extended to the resource person, management, and organizing committee for executing the event smoothly. Overall, the program successfully achieved its academic goals, leaving the student community inspired and equipped with a fresh, analytical lens to decode visual storytelling.

The PG Department of English Language and Literature, GEMS Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Ramapuram, successfully inaugurated its flagship Polyphony: International Lecture Series on 23 July 2026 at the Prem Nazir Theatre. The pilot episode, titled "Reading and Creative Writing: In Conversation with Benyamin," marked the beginning of a series envisioned to foster literary engagement, critical thinking, and meaningful dialogue between academia and distinguished writers.

The programme commenced at 10:00 a.m. with an invocation, followed by the Welcome Address delivered by Dr. Shibila A, Coordinator, Assistant Professor, PG Department of English Language and Literature. Mr. Amal Sankar G, Head of the Department, delivered the Presidential Address, highlighting the department's vision behind initiating the international lecture series. The gathering was then addressed by Dr. Naveen Mohan, Principal, who introduced the institution and emphasized the importance of creating platforms for interaction with eminent literary personalities.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Benyamin, was formally introduced by Mr. Rihas K.T., Assistant Professor.
The Polyphony: International Lecture Series was officially inaugurated by Mr. Benyamin.

The inaugural session also included felicitations by Mr. Jeevesh M., Assistant Professor, Department of Languages; and Dr. Abdussamad, Assistant Professor, Department of Languages; Directors Muhammed Ali, and VN Laila.

The inaugural ural session concluded with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Ms. K. Keerthy, Assistant Professor, PG Department of English Language and Literature.

The highlight of the morning session was the Keynote Lecture by Mr. Benyamin on "Reading and Creative Writing." Drawing from his rich literary journey, he discussed the craft of storytelling, the challenges of transforming literary works into films, and the evolving relationship between literature and cinema. Sharing experiences from the adaptation of his acclaimed novel Aadujeevitham, he inspired students to approach creative writing with authenticity, imagination, and social responsibility. The session was highly interactive and provided valuable insights into the creative process.

Following the lunch break, the afternoon session titled "Beyond the Pages: Creative Interaction with Benyamin"was welcomed by Ms. Hina Hanan, Assistant Professor. Students showcased their creativity through a theatrical presentation from Aadujeevitham by Siya Sulov and Team, followed by a book review by Shibna Mustafa, musical performances by Sajitha Neha and Fathima Jebin K.T. The students also presented portraits and other creative works to the Chief Guest as a token of admiration and appreciation.

The programme culminated in an engaging interactive session with Mr. Benyamin, during which students and faculty members actively participated by asking questions on literature, writing, publishing, and cinematic adaptation. His thoughtful responses, practical advice, and encouraging words made the session intellectually enriching and memorable.

The Valedictory Session featured reflections from participants, followed by the Valedictory Address delivered by Mr. Vijayesh Babu, Assistant Professor, PG Department of English Language and Literature. The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Fathima Hamna S2 M.A. English, expressing gratitude to the management, Chief Guest, faculty members, students, and all those who contributed to the grand success of the inaugural edition of Polyphony: International Lecture Series

The programme was a resounding success, providing students with an exceptional opportunity to engage directly with one of India's most celebrated contemporary writers. It reflected the department's commitment to promoting literary scholarship, interdisciplinary learning, and meaningful academic conversations, laying a strong foundation for future editions of the Polyphony International Lecture Series.