Graduate Student Seminar Spring 2025
On February 19, 2025, the Department of English and Humanities at ULAB hosted its Spring 2025 Graduate Student Seminar. Thirteen MA students, nominated by their course instructors, presented their papers across DEH’s three MA tracks: Literature and Cultural Studies, Applied Linguistics and TESOL, and Literature and Creative Writing.
Ms. Nadia Rahman, MA Coordinator and Assistant Professor, DEH, commenced the seminar by warmly welcoming faculty members, presenters, and the attending students.
Ms. Rahman introduced the first presenter, Salma Akter Rumi (Batch 242), who presented her paper titled “Spectacle of Otherness: Breaking the Stereotypical Ideology of Female Beauty through Bangladeshi TVCs.” In this paper, she explored the critical issue of marginalization of women based on the perception of their beauty in Bangladeshi society.
Next, Shaira Ali Konok (Batch 241) presented her paper titled, “Assessment for Learning: Reflecting on Its Impact in ELT Contexts,” where she examined the dynamics of traditional teaching and the impact of rapidly advancing technology to increase students’ participation.
Following shortly, Hamida Akter Mira (Batch 242) talked about her paper titled, “Writing ‘Lanterns of the Sylhet Nights’: A Creative Journey” in which she delved into her journey of writing her own short story full of cultural references, where she explores humanity's fragile relationship with nature and generational responsibility carried by individuals.
Anika Binta Nazrul’s (Batch 231) paper, “Connecting Theory to Practice: A Reflective Research through Engagement, Inclusivity, and Effective Classroom Management,” explored different teaching methodologies and learning techniques that promote inclusivity and active student participation in a classroom.
Tasnova Tanjum Tanha (Batch 243) presented her paper titled, “Colonialism: Reasons, Impacts and End” in which she examined the impacts of colonialism and how it reshaped the world in many ways.
The sixth presenter, Fahim Ibrahim Chowdhury (Batch 243) shared his paper called, “Syllabus as Educational Justice: Significance of Need and Situational Analysis in EFL Syllabus,” where he shared the necessity of creating a syllabus and a curriculum relevant to the learners in the context of primary education in Bangladesh.
Afterwards, Nafisa Awal (Batch 241), shared her paper titled, “Writing English Plays in Relation to Social Capital in Bangladesh: A Double-Edged Sword”. For her presentation, she discussed how the English language is used as a tool of privilege in theater and how it is associated with the elites of the society, acting as a double-edged sword for global recognition and local limitations.
The next presenter, Muhammad Ibne Anis (Batch 242), came forth with his paper titled “The Importance of Culturally Relevant Materials: Lessons Learned from ENG - 540,” where he elaborated on the importance of using culturally relevant materials when teaching a language or developing materials and keeping in mind the social context and interactions of a certain society.
Afreena Rahman (Batch242) presented her paper titled “From Spectacle to Tragic Protagonist: Cleopatra’s Subjectivity in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra”. She analyzed how history exoticized Cleopatra but Shakespeare reimagined her as a multifaceted character, pulling her out of the systematic oppression and historical misrepresentation.
Nabila Faiza Islam (Batch 242) presented her paper on “Early Language Learning in Northern Europe, the UK, and Bangladesh: A Comparative Study,” where she dove into the different childhood education systems of different countries, highlighting the disparity and shortcomings of the education system of Bangladesh, especially the rural areas.
Afterwards, Syeda Faria Purba (Batch 243) presented her paper “Krishna, as a Trickster,” where she discussed the key elements of a trickster and explored different aspects of Lord Krishna’s personality, showing how a god can also have human-like attributes.
Mousome Mostofa Urmi (Batch 233) presented her topic “Emotionality in TESOL: Exploring Teacher and Student Experiences,” in which she dissected the impact of emotions in TESOL teaching and learning and how a teacher's emotions can affect the students and the class outcome.
The final presenter, Rudaiba Mahbub (Batch 243) presented her paper “Art of the People: July Uprising through the Eyes of Debashish Chakrabarty,” in which she analyzed the artist’s digital posters and how art was used to speak against genocide, exploitation, and a fascist regime.
Following the conclusion of the presentations, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, Professor Kaiser Haq, conducted a short question and answer session and also shared his insights on the seminar. The Head of DEH and Associate Professor Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman also shared her feedback and gave a concluding statement, acknowledging the hard work of the students.
Finally, Professor Kaiser Haq and Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman distributed certificates to the presenters for their participation. With a group photograph, the Graduate Student Seminar of Spring 2025 came to a successful end.
Report written by Raisa Anan (232013009)
