University of Botswana English Department About the Department

The Department of English believes that language is the essential manifestation of our humanity and that the department empowers its clientele by ensuring the fullest development of this unique human endowment. The Department therefore seeks

1. to enhance the students' level of competence in the use of the English language by providing an understanding of the intellectual processes that take place in the functioning of that language;
2. to educate students to think widely, deeply and flexibly on human affairs through the study of literature;
3. to provide students with a repertoire of the skills and abilities used in drama for popular sensitisation, mobilisation, or informal education;
4. to develop in students the power of analysis to enable them to critically assess the problems of our community, country and continent and to attempt to provide solutions; and
5. to promote vibrant undergraduate, graduate and research programmes responsive to the manpower needs of a diversifying economy, and, overall,
6. to develop a cadre of professionals who will defend and promote the values of the humanities in our national development.

Any advanced study of language and literature should equip students to think widely, deeply and flexibly on human affairs and should equip students to articulate what they think, in appropriate language. Such a study is therefore an appropriate intellectual basis for professionals in all kinds of fields. Most graduates of the Department have become teachers of language and literature in schools, and the Department is committed to providing content studies of high quality for teaching careers.

A serious consideration of poetry, drama, fiction and non-fiction offers good training for general administrators, journalists in the print and electronic media, publishers, diplomats, business people and creative artists since it develops a ready sympathy for human needs balanced against a realistic comprehension of the necessity for development.

• Graduate Studies
• Examination and Assessment
• Computer Resources
• Staff Assessment by Students
• Library Acquisitions and Textbook Orders
• Departmental Research
• Mature Age Entry Examination
• CABS and DABS English
• Syllabus Review
• Inter-University Links
• Timetable
• Departmental Faculty Research and Publications
• Departmental Faculty Localisation
• Marang Journal
• Writers Workshop
• Seminars and Symposia
• Travelling Theatre

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Copyright © 2000 University of Botswana English Department
Last updated 22 February 2003