Baccalaureate programs
- Description of the Honours, Major, and Minor BA programs
- Description of the Creative Writing program
- Program requirements for the Honours BA with specialization in English
- Program requirements for the Honours BA with specialization in Latin and English Studies
- Program requirements for a Major in English
- Program requirements for a Minor in English
- Course timetable and exam schedule
- Co-op education program
- Department of English Style Guide (pdf)
- Undergraduate Brochure 2011-2012
- Undergraduate Spring/Summer 2011 Timetable (pdf)
- Previous undergraduate course descriptions
About our undergraduate programs
Our baccalaureate programs offer a historically grounded introduction to the Anglophone literatures of Canada, Britain, and the United States. In our introductory courses, students learn to situate literary texts within their historical and cultural contexts, and to practice the skills of close reading, critical analysis, and argumentative writing that are essential for success both in English classes and in many other fields. Upper-level courses and honours seminars provide opportunities to explore particular topics in greater depth, from medieval romance and early modern drama to First Nations writing, contemporary poetry, and critical theory. (To see the range of topics and perspectives we offer, browse our current course descriptions.) Students can also take courses in creative writing, and/or contribute to one of our student publications. Our department also has an active undergraduate students' association, which organizes a number of events and activities throughout the year, from a 48-hour novella-writing competition to informal get-togethers for students and faculty.
Both the major and the honours with specialization in English may be taken with a co-op education option. In this popular program, students complete four paid work terms in addition to their university courses, enabling them to explore different career options by putting their skills to work in a variety of professional settings.
The honours with specialization in Latin and English studies, co-sponsored by the departments of classical and religious studies and English, offers an opportunity to study the extensive influence of Latin literature and classical culture on British literature. Our faculty also contribute to interdisciplinary education by teaching courses cross-listed with Canadian studies, medieval studies, women's studies, and environmental studies. We provide training in expository writing for students in all academic programs, and offer general interest courses in such areas as literature and film, children's literature, science fiction, and literature and the environment.
Creative writing
Our department offers a strong program in Canadian literature and is committed to fostering the creative community in Canadian letters. Nationally and internationally known Canadian writers teach creative writing courses in our department. We also support a lively informal community of writers and poets by sponsoring events such as poetry readings and literary magazines.
We do not offer a BFA or MFA degree in creative writing, but undergraduate students may specialize in creative writing by taking a series of creative writing courses. We offer a full-year, 6-credit introductory workshop in either fiction or poetry, followed by several 3-credit advanced workshops that emphasize the completion of publishable work and survey the possibilities for publication. Students can also meet and consult with well-known Canadian writers through our writer-in-residence program. And we support a lively community of writers and poets by sponsoring events and programs such as poetry readings and literary magazines.
Before registering in creative writing courses, applicants must submit writing samples in the genres specified by the instructor (see the descriptions for English 3264, 4397, 4398, or 4399 in our current undergraduate brochure). Early submission is encouraged to ensure timely acceptance.