Apology for Literature in Engineering Curriculum

Abstract

The need for English literature teaching in technical institutions becomes imperative in the changing global scenario that is increasingly becoming multilingual and multicultural. Technocrats who command machines and systems created by the human brain need to be distinguished from these gadgets. They are thinking and feeling beings capable of making decisions in unpredictably critical moments because they are not programmed the way machines are. English language teachers with a very strong base in English literature can play an exceptionally vital role in acquisition of creative/critical thinking skills and human values. English language teachers in technical institutions need to re-invent their role from being a mere ‘facilitator’ of language skills or being ‘high priests’ of ethics through explication of literary texts to becoming a ‘catalyst’ in the formative process of the young technocrats’ affective and cognitive domains through exposure to appropriate literary texts. This article examines the role of English literature teaching and the complementary role of humanities and sciences in the formation of young technocrats, who should be academically bright, intellectually upright, ethically honest, and spiritually inspiring.