Faculty of Arts

Brief History of the Department of English and Literary Studies

The Department of English and Literary Studies was one of the two Departments established in the Faculty of Arts at the very inception of the University in 1982. Academic activities did not begin in the University until January 10, 1983. The lecturers who piloted the affairs of the Department during the First year of its existence were:

  1. Dr. A.O. Ashaolu – Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of Department.
  2. Dr. Ropo Sekoni – Senior Lecturer (on Sabbatical from the University of Ilorin)
  3. Dr. R.O. Atoye – Senior Lecturer (on Sabbatical from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife).
  4. Mr. E. B. Uwatt – Assistant Lecturer.

As at 1985/1986, the Lecturers in the Department were:

  1. Dr. E. Babalola – Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of Department
  2. Dr. L.O. Lozambe – Lecturer
  3. Dr. J.O. Nwabuwe – Lecturer
  4. Mr. E.B. Uwatt – Assistant Lecturer
  5. Mr. E.T.O. Bamisaye – Assistant Lecturer.

Currently the Department has five Professors: Prof.  E.T.O. Bamisaye, Prof. S.A. Dada, Prof. V.O. Ogbeide, Prof. O.M.  Owolabi, and  Prof. O. K. Owoeye ; two Readers: Dr. S.O. Afolayan and Dr. G.A. Ojo; three Senior Lecturers: Dr. S.A. Omotunde,  Dr .O. Bamigboye and Dr  O. Ogunrotimi; seven Lecturer I: Dr. A. Aragbuwa; Dr. A.R. Adewusi,  Dr. D. Fafiyebi, Dr. S.O. Agbeleoba, Dr. A.O. Ogunlade, Mr. A.O.T. Jemiriye and Mr. O. Adeosun.

The list of former Heads of Department is as presented below:

  1. Dr. A.O. Ashaolu
  2. Dr. Oyin Ogunba
  3. Prof. D.O. Olagoke
  4. Dr. Z.A. Adejumo
  5. Dr. C.A. Ibitoye
  6. Prof. E.T.O. Bamisaye
  7. Prof. V.O. Ogbeide
  8. Prof. S.A. Dada
  9. Prof. O.K. Owoeye
  10. Dr. S.O. Afolayan
  11. Prof. O.M. Owolabi
  12. Dr. G. A. Ojo

 PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy is to promote and uphold the values of a University Degree in English which meets national and universal objectives in content and context. We have, therefore, devised our curriculum along the mainstream of Language, Communication, Literary Studies and Applied Linguistics in order to achieve the stated objectives. Thus, our graduates should fit into the different areas of the labour market which employs graduates – Government, Education, Mass-Media, Armed Forces, etc.

OBJECTIVES

The Department seeks to provide its students with a sound knowledge of the English language and of Literature written in English. Emphasis is placed on the study of English as a Second Language and Literature produced in the Language by Africans and their counterparts in the Diaspora. Students are also exposed to the methodology of critical analysis of literary texts, and are also encouraged to attempt a practical application of the language in critical essays and creative writing.

The scope of the courses in English and Literature is designed in the hopes that ultimately when the students graduate, they will be adequately equipped with a rich store of knowledge, such as would enable them to face the challenges of advanced literary studies, or to cope with the demands of the different professions of the public service and the corporations. For the attainment of these goals, the Department will specifically strike a balance through a combination of courses to:

(a)        establish and develop the skills of its students in basic language usage;

(b)        expose its students to various forms of literature, both oral and written in English or translated into English;

(c)        help its students through systematic training to develop a sound critical judgment; and

(d)       encourage its students to apply their knowledge of English usage and Literature in English in their own imaginative creative writing.