Fr. Babu Paschal Sarker, C.S.C

Fr. Babu Paschal Sarker, C.S.C., is a Roman Catholic monk from Sacred Heart of Jesus Province, Dhaka, Bangladesh, of the Congregation of Holy Cross. His official name is Babu Sarker, and his academic background has been shaped by a deep engagement with literature, philosophy, and pedagogy in various cultural and institutional settings. From his early education in Bangladesh to his advanced studies in the United States, he has studied English Literature and English not just as an intellectual discipline but also as a means to promote critical thinking, cultural awareness, and creative expression. His teaching and research adopt an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from literary studies, philosophy, and social critique, with a particular focus on issues of alienation, identity, history, and cultural displacement.

Educational Background

Fr. Sarker, right after completing his second Master of Arts in English at Indiana University South Bend (in December 2024), joined as a Lecturer, teaching in the Department of English at Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) as an adjunct faculty member in Spring 2025 and became a regular faculty member of the department in Fall 2025. During his studies, he strengthened his expertise in literary analysis, rhetoric, composition, and academic writing. Before this, he completed advanced coursework at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for the Study of Language and Culture (2021–2022), where he received significant pedagogical training in academic writing, presentation skills, grammar instruction, and literary studies, while also expanding his linguistic and cultural knowledge through courses in Hindi, Irish literature, and disability studies.

His earlier academic achievements include a Master of Arts in English from BRAC University (2019), a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theology from Holy Spirit Major Seminary Institute of Philosophy and Theology (2015)—affiliated with Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome—and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, History, and Social Welfare from Notre Dame College (2007)—affiliated with the National University of Bangladesh. These academic experiences, spanning multiple disciplines, have given him a unique perspective for understanding literature as both a cultural artifact and a tool for philosophical and social critique.

Teaching Experience

Fr. Sarker’s teaching career demonstrates a dedication to guiding students in their intellectual development, improving their language skills, and nurturing their ability to think critically about texts and the world.

• Notre Dame University Bangladesh (2025): He currently teaches Romantic Poetry, Victorian Poetry, Introduction to English Drama, and Academic Writing under Outcome-Based Education (OBE), emphasizing analytical reading, interpretive writing, and historical context.
• Indiana University South Bend (2024): While pursuing his second M.A., he worked as a tutor in English and Academic Writing, helping both international and domestic students improve their composition skills, thesis development, and scholarly argumentation.
• Moreau Seminary, Dhaka (2016–2018): Fr. Sarker also taught Communicative English and Grammar, emphasizing practical fluency and structural accuracy.
• Francis High School, Dinajpur (2011–2012): He taught English, Religion, and Social Science, combining humanities education with moral development.
• Ministry of Education, Thakurgaon (2000–2001): He worked as an instructor in Adult Education and Literacy, an experience that strengthened his belief in education as a powerful force for individuals and communities.

Throughout these experiences, he has consistently aimed to develop an inclusive and dialogic classroom environment where students feel empowered to question, analyze, and connect literary studies with their own lived experiences.

Research Interests

Fr. Sarker’s research intersects literature, philosophy, and social critique. At Indiana University South Bend, he has examined Marxist views of alienation in literature, focusing on Richard Wright’s Native Son and Herman Melville’s Bartleby the Scrivener and Moby-Dick. He is also interested in diasporic literature, especially how food, memory, and identity influence immigrant stories, as shown in his presentation on Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake.

Broadly, his research interests consist of:

• Marxist literary criticism and theories of alienation
• Diaspora and immigrant literature
• Postcolonial studies
• The intersection of literature, philosophy, and theology
• Creative writing as a critical practice

Publications and Creative Work

Fr. Sarker’s scholarly and creative work demonstrates both analytical rigor and artistic exploration.

• Research Article: Sarker, Babu. “Rebellion and Death: The Cause and Effect of Alienation in Bartleby, the Scrivener and Moby-Dick” Critical Insights, vol. IV, Issue I, 2025. Currently on revision

He has also published his works in the Analecta Graduate Journal at Indiana University South Bend, including:

• Research Article: “Alienated Labor and Tragic Death: Wright’s Marxist Thoughts in the Novel Native Son” (2024).
• Non-fiction: “The Seed of Friendship Grew Up: Sketched from Sixteen Vignettes” (2024)
• Fiction: “The Storyteller” (2024). – awarded Third Place in Graduate Fiction
• Poetry: “The Meaning in Nothingness” (2024). – awarded Third Place in Graduate Poetry
• Research Article: “Food Poignancy and Its Roles among Diasporic Indian People in The Namesake by Lahiri” (2023).

Earlier, he delivered his graduate research presentation at BRAC University (2019) on “John Donne’s prophetic and humanistic roles in the context of British imperialism in Virginia.”

Conference Presentations

• “Food Poignancy and Its Roles among Diasporic Indian People in The Namesake by Lahiri” – Graduate Symposium, Indiana University South Bend (2023)
• “Alienated Labor and Tragic Death: Wright’s Marxist Thoughts in the Novel Native Son” – Graduate Symposium, Indiana University South Bend (2024)

Teaching Philosophy

Fr. Sarker views teaching as a dialogic process in which students and teachers collaborate to discover knowledge. Literature, in particular, gives students insight into human struggles, cultural exchanges, and philosophical questions. His aim as a teacher is to help students not only interpret texts but also relate them to current issues—such as migration, social justice, and alienation—that impact their world.

In teaching and practice, he employs a student-centered approach that combines critical theory with creative exploration. In composition and academic writing, he emphasizes clarity, structure, and argumentation, while also encouraging intellectual curiosity and confidence in one’s voice.

Language and Cultural Competence

As a native Bengali speaker and a fluent English speaker and writer, he brings bilingual and cross-cultural sensitivity to his teaching. His exposure to Hindi and my studies of Irish and postcolonial literature further enhance my ability to promote comparative perspectives in the classroom.

Conclusion

His teaching and research are rooted in the belief that literature and writing are powerful tools—shaping identity, fostering empathy, and challenging social structures. Whether in Bangladesh or abroad, he aims to create classrooms that promote critical inquiry, cross-cultural dialogue, and creative expression. He looks forward to expanding his research on false consciousness and tragic death in Melville’s works, helping to develop a more nuanced understanding of how literature critiques the alienating conditions of modern life.