slass – CHITTAGONG INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY

About SLASS

School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS) offers the following program leading to a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree:

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English
MA in English
MA in Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching

It also provides an integral component of CIU’s academic offerings, the Foundation Courses, for the undergraduates, tailored to enhance critical thinking and essential skills.The creative and challenging environment at SLASS gives students an opportunity to discover their talent. The diversity of the courses offered by the school inspires students to become a communication expert, a master of language, a journalist, a creative writer, a teacher, an anthropologist, a sociologist, an entrepreneur or go on to pursue advance studies. CIU’s extraordinary faculty at SLASS prepares students to be an extraordinary professional and a dynamic member of the global community.

Dean's Message

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS). Our School stands as a vibrant academic community dedicated to the study of language, literature, culture, and philosophy. In a rapidly changing world, the study of literature and lnguage not only enriches our understanding of culture and history but also sharpens our ability to think critically and communicate effectively.

We are committed to fostering an environment where intellectual curiosity thrives. Our curriculum is designed to engage students with diverse literary traditions, from classical to contemporary, while encouraging analytical skills, independent research and creative expression and leadership qualities. Through seminars, workshops, different scholarly activities and extra-curricular programs, we aim to prepare our students to meet both national and global challenges with confidence and insight.

As members of this academic community, our students may actively participate in all aspects of university life by engaging with their teachers, collaborating with peers, and taking full advantage of the resources available to them.

I can assure you that SLASS is always ready to extend the hands of assistance to all students, guardians, and well-wishers and respond to their queries.

Prof. Md Khaled Bin Chowdhury, PhD
Dean

School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Chittagong Independent University

SLASS Departments

The department of English, under the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences ( SLASS),has a goal to equip students understand, appreciate, and discuss forms of literary expression across historical and national boundaries, while providing them the freedom and support to pursue their particular interests. The Department offers a four year undergraduate programme in English Literature and also in English Language Teaching (ELT). Linguistics is integrated into it.

Why Study English?

This is one of the country’s most prestigious degrees in English Language and Literature, in one of the top rated English departments. With qualified academic staff, it teaches across the whole spread of English studies. Our English programmes are distinguished by this outstanding range of activity. Our expertise covers all periods of English Literature (from Anglo-Saxon to contemporary), American and postcolonial literatures, literary theory, English language teaching methodologies and Linguistics. Teaching is at the heart of what we do, and we seek, at all levels, to encourage forms of critical thinking that have a wide application in the contemporary world. The degree at CIU offers many opportunities for academic, personal, and professional development. The ELT programme is appropriate / valuable for those who would like to build up career in English Language teaching. The structure of the degree and the variety of modules on offer allows students to maintain a breadth of coverage while also developing a more specialized focus in areas of particular interest. Teaching methods very often incorporate seminars and workshops, and students’ time is equally divided between a series of workshops and lectures.

Career Prospects and Graduate Destinations

Career Prospects and Graduate Destinations Graduates in English have wide range of career opportunities: teaching, law, journalism, advertising, banking, publishing, local government, non- government organizations, insurance, arts administration, overseas jobs and so on. The department fosters the Film Club, Debating Club which enrich your intellectual faculty. Hence, as a graduate you will acquire skills in written and spoken communication, analytical ability, independent thought, all of which are highly appreciated and valued by employers.

Departments under SLASS

Faculty Members

I had the privilege of completing my BA in English at CIU under the guidance of esteemed teachers in the department. Their mentorship inspired me to pursue a similar academic path. The strong foundation I gained at CIU encouraged me to continue my studies abroad. As a result, I completed my MA in South Korea through a fully funded program. Subsequently, I went on to become a university teacher in Bangladesh.

My academic journey began at CIU, where I completed both my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English. After finishing my Masters, I moved to the United States to continue my education, earning a second Master's in English along with a TESOL certification. Over time, my interests shifted, and I am now pursuing a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where I also serve as a Graduate Teaching Instructor, teaching two undergraduate writing courses each semester. Outside of coursework and teaching, I currently serve as Director of the Global Souths Conference, an annual academic event and co-host the Thursday Night Reading Series, a weekly poetry reading series. Looking back, CIU gave me more than a degree. The friendships I built there with people I could genuinely trust and the conversations shared with fellow students and faculty over tea at Bir Chattala are what I carry with me most. Those years, and the people in them, shaped a lot of who I am today. I am grateful for that.

The Department of English organized an intergenerational engagement program in collaboration with Khola Hawa

The Department of English organized an intergenerational engagement program in collaboration with Khola Hawa, a senior citizen welfare platform, on 14 May 2026 at the CIU auditorium. Around 60 senior citizens and 20 students participated in the event. The program featured vibrant and engaging performances. Professor Dr. Khaled Bin Chowdhury, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at CIU, inaugurated the event while the Faculty Members of CIU were also present. During the program, Ekushey Padak-winning flutist Azizul Islam was honored with a flower bouquet by Syeda Syedunnessa, convener of “Khola Hawa.” The purpose of the program was to foster emotional and social bonds between senior citizens and students. The auditorium turned into a warm gathering of young and elderly participants through storytelling, conversations, music, recitations, and cultural performances. The spontaneous participation of people from different walks of life made the event more lively and vibrant. In the cultural segment, Ustad Azizul Islam captivated the audience with his enchanting flute performance. Cultural performances were presented by English Department students along with Khola Hawa members. The program was hosted by Asma Akter, while Dr. Sahana Begum, a member of “Khola Hawa,”.

Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration

The Department of English, Chittagong Independent University celebrates 462^nd the birth anniversary of William Shakespeare with great enthusiasm through a vibrant event arranged by The Muses (Cultural Club). The program began with the Head of the Department, Leema Sen Gupta, taking the stage, where she warmly appreciated the sincere efforts and enthusiastic participation of the students. The program featured a thoughtful speech by Neel Aliyan Dutta, highlighting the literary genius and enduring influence of Shakespeare. During the sonnet recitation, Fayha Munir eloquently delivered some of Shakespeare’s most timeless verses.

The highlight of the event was a powerful soliloquy performance by Sajidul Islam, bringing to life the emotional depth of Shakespearean drama. Additionally, the SLASS Debating Society organized an engaging debate on “Classical vs Modern Characters,” where Shajib Dhar, Maliha Abida, Ramisa Tahiat Chawdhury Ahona, Sumaiya Tasnim and Enayet Tawhid, presented compelling arguments comparing timeless literary figures with contemporary ones. The debate encouraged critical thinking and lively interaction among participants. To mark the occasion, a cake-cutting ceremony was also held, adding a joyful touch to the celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday.

The event successfully blended literature, performance and intellect, offering students an opportunity to appreciate Shakespeare’s legacy while showcasing their creativity and talent.

LFE Trip Spring 2026

The Department of English at Chittagong Independent University (CIU) has successfully organized an enriching field trip for the Live-in-Field Experience (LFE) course, offering students a unique opportunity to connect with local communities and gain practical, real-world insights. The trip was guided by Mr. Rifat Ahmed, Lecturer, School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS).

During this visit, students traveled to Kaptai to engage with the vibrant Marma community and visit Chitmorom High School. Applying their theoretical knowledge of cultural studies and linguistic analysis, the students collected valuable data regarding the rich history, culture, and language of the Marma people. A key academic highlight of the trip was the collection of language samples to help build a linguistic corpus, allowing students to identify and analyze unique features of the Marma language.

Bridging academia with practical observation, the students also attended a 9th-grade English class. This classroom observation allowed them to directly match their English Language Teaching (ELT) methodologies with real-world teaching practices. Additionally, a visit to the adjacent Boro Bazar provided students with the chance to interact intimately with the community and observe local trades and products.

To commemorate the historical significance of the Karnaphuli Paper Mills (KPM) in Bangladesh's education sector, the tour concluded with a comprehensive factory visit. Students were mesmerized by the production plant, witnessing firsthand how raw materials are transformed into fine paper. This segment also provided practical exposure to factory operations and corporate management, equipping students with valuable real-life experiences for their future careers.

The SLASS Tapestry at the Department of English

As part of their Language and Media course, the students of the English Department displayed their newspaper project under the guidance of Professor Dr. Khaled Bin Chowdhury, Dean, School of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, turning a simple assignment into a hands-on newsroom experience.

The team explored a wide range of topics, from national climate initiatives and education reforms to entertainment and university sports. Special focus was given to the Education and Sports sections, where students reflected on contemporary challenges in education while celebrating athletic achievements within the university.

Beyond content creation, the project emphasized collaboration, balancing diverse perspectives, refining editorial design, and working together to produce a cohesive publication.

It was a journey of teamwork, storytelling and a real life experience for the students that truly enriched their academic journey.

Workshop on Teachers’ Professional Development at the Department of English, CIU

The Department of English at Chittagong Independent University (CIU), in collaboration with the Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA), organized a workshop titled “Teachers’ Professional Development: Aligning Institutional Support with Teacher Engagement” on December 23, 2025 at the Conference Hall. Prof. Dr. Laxman Gnawali, Professor at Kathmandu University, Nepal and President, Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association(NELTA) was the keynote speaker in the workshop. Honorable Vice Chancellor of CIU Prof. Dr. M.M. Nurul Absar was the Chief Guest.

Research Symposia November 2025 session

On November 27, 2025, Dr. Md. Khaled Bin Chowdhury led a session with a talk on 'Article Search and Journal Selection Techniques', organized by SLASS Research Symposia at Department of English, CIU. The session was moderated by Ms. Rifat Tasnim, Assistant Professor, Department of English, SLASS, CIU. All the faculty members and final semester Undergraduate and MA students of the department were present at the session. The presentation was followed by insightful discussion during the Q&A session. The session concluded successfully, leaving participants better equipped to navigate the landscape of academic publishing.

Program Brochures

Curricula Overview

Why Study English?

Career Prospects and Graduate Destinations

Mr. Masukur Rahman