IITM BS English II (BSHS1002): Syllabus and Tips

English II (BSHS1002) is a 4 credit foundation level course in the IITM BS Data Science programme. It builds on English I and works on more fluent and exact English: sentence patterns, listening, speaking, reading, writing and the social use of language. You must pass English I (BSHS1001) before you can take it.

The instructor is Rajesh Kumar, professor of linguistics and head of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras. He also teaches English I.

The DS handbook agrees on the prerequisite. It gives 32 credits for the whole foundation level and does not print a credit value for each course. The 4 credits come from the course page.

What you learn

The course page gives a topic for each of the 12 weeks. Grouped:

• Weeks 1 to 3: patterns in sentences. How English sentences are built, and how a change in structure changes meaning and tone.
• Weeks 4 to 7: listening and speaking. Two weeks on listening, then two on speaking.
• Weeks 8 to 10: reading and writing. One week of reading skills and two of writing skills.
• Weeks 11 and 12: social skills. Using language in a way that suits the person and the situation.

The page's goals explain the level it aims for. You should be able to write clearly and in detail on many subjects and use a wider vocabulary. You should know what fits a social setting, keep your grammar accurate, and catch the meaning under the surface of what people say. The page also offers a download of extra support material in basic English.

How it is assessed

The course page lists 12 weeks of coursework, weekly online assignments, 2 in-person invigilated quizzes and 1 in-person invigilated end term exam. It does not mention an OPPE or a separate speaking test.

Where it counts

• Foundation level. It is one of the 8 foundation courses. You must pass all 8 before you can register for any diploma level course. See the foundation level guide.
• Checkpoints. If you joined the foundation level from May 2024, you need at least 4 courses passed within 4 terms, 6 within 6 terms, and all 8 within 9 terms. English II needs English I first, so do not keep pushing both back. See foundation checkpoints.
• No minor. It is not part of any minor.
• Electronic Systems. The ES handbook has its own English II (HS1102), a 4 credit foundation course that needs English I (HS1101).

Who finds it hard and how to prepare

Two kinds of students may find it harder. If you learned English by ear, you may know what "sounds right" but get stuck when a question asks why a sentence pattern works. If you are a strong reader, you may still drop marks in listening, where the question is about tone or what the speaker meant, not just what they said.

• Build, do not only spot. In weeks 1 to 3, write your own example for every sentence pattern. If you can build it, you can find it in a quiz.
• Listen with a pen. In weeks 4 and 5, listen to a short English talk each day. Then write three lines: what was said, what was meant, and the tone.
• Speak out loud. In weeks 6 and 7, record yourself answering a simple question for one minute. Listen back once and fix one thing.
• Write short, then cut. In the writing weeks, write 150 words on a topic, then remove every sentence that adds nothing.
• Keep a word sheet. Note new words from the lectures with one sentence of your own for each.

Do not treat it as a light course. The handbook's general rule is that the average of your best 5 of the first 7 weekly assignments must be at least 40 out of 100 before you can write the end term. Your grading document can change this, so check it. More tips are in English 1 and English 2: easy marks or a trap.

What to take before and after

• Before: English I. If you want to revise it, see the English 1 subject page.
• Alongside: English II pairs well with a heavier maths or statistics course, because its weekly work is lighter on problem solving.
• After: no course lists English II as a prerequisite. It counts toward the full set of 8 that opens the diploma level.

Common questions

Can I take English I and English II in the same term?

No. English I is a prerequisite, not a corequisite. You must pass English I in an earlier term before you register for English II.

Is English II harder than English I?

It aims higher. The goals talk about detailed writing on a range of subjects, catching meaning under the surface of speech, and choosing language that fits the social setting. The grammar from English I is the base it builds on.

Is there extra help for students who are weak in English?

Yes. The English II course page offers a downloadable support document in basic English. Use it early in the term, not just before the end term.