English Programs

The Department of English Literatures offers Major, Minor and Honours programs, as well as a selection of courses that contribute to programs in Drama.

For a general description of course levels in English, see the Academic Calendar.

For a list of courses offered by the Department of English Literatures this year, please click here.

MAJOR IN ENGLISH

THE MAJOR AREA OF STUDY in English is 60 credits accumulated as follows:
3 from English 1201
3 from English 1501, 1701,1801 [for students beginning Sept ‘04]
6 to 12 from English at the 2000 level, including English 2201 and 2301
24 to 30 from English at the 3/4000 level (3 credits each chosen from at least five of the eleven Subject Areas: Medieval, Renaissance, 17th Century, 18th Century, 19th Century, Modern, Contemporary and Theoretical Studies, American, Canadian, Postcolonial, Literature by Women). At least 9 credits overall must be chosen from the four Subject Areas prior to 1800 - that is from the 18th Century, the 17th Century, the Renaissance, and the Medieval periods.
[27-33 for students registered before September 2004]
18 credits from complementary courses in Arts and Letters and Humanities, chosen in consultation with the Head of Department or the Program Advisor

MINOR IN ENGLISH

MINOR in English is 24 credits accumulated as follows:
3 from English 1201
3 from English 1501, 1701, 1801
6 to 9 from English at the 2000 level
9 to 12 from English at the 3/4000 level chosen in consultation with the Head of Department or the Program Advisor

MAJOR and MINOR in DRAMA see details given in the current Calendar.

HONOURS PROGRAM

Students with a strong interest in and aptitude for the subject may wish to seek an Honours Degree in English. The requirements are sixty-six English credits, as outlined below. Students must apply to the Honours Coordinator to do Honours in January of their third year.

HONOURS in English(Course Option) is 66 credits accumulated as follows:

42 credits as in the first four lines of the Major, including English 2211, plus:
6 from English 3871, 3881
6 from English 4000-level senior seminar course
12 from English at the 3/4000 level, including 3 credits each from two additional subject areas (for a total
in the Honours program of seven subject areas)

HONOURS in English (Thesis Option) is 66 credits accumulated as follows:

42 credits as in the first four lines of the Major, including English 2211, plus:
6 from English 4990
18 from English at the 3/4000 level, including 3 credits each from two additional subject areas (for a total
in the Honours program of seven subject areas), chosen in consultation with the Honours Coordinator.

A grade of at least B must be achieved in the Honours thesis to earn the Honours in English (Theses option).

Examples of Honours in English

The subject areas and corresponding courses are as follows:

1. Medieval: 3011, 3021, 3241 [if appropriate], 4221 [if appropriate]
Renaissance: 3211, 3231, 3241 [if appropriate], 3311, 4221 [if appropriate]
17th Century: 3351, 3361, 4221 [if appropriate]
18th Century: 3411, 3421, 3431, 4221 [if appropriate]
19th Century: 3451, 3461, 3481, 3491, 4231 [if appropriate]
Modern: 3511, 3521, 3551, 4231 [if appropriate]
Contemporary & 3561, 3611, 3621, 3850, 3871, 3881, 3911, 3921, 3931,
Theoretical Studies: 4231 [if appropriate], 4901 [if appropriate], 4921, 4931, 4941
American: 3711, 3721, 3731, 3741, 4701, 4231 [if appropriate]
Canadian: 3801, 3811, 3821, 3831, 4801
Postcolonial: 3751, 3761, 3771, 3781, 4231 [if appropriate], 4801 [if appropriate], 4941 [if appropriate]
Literature by Women: 3651, 3661, 4921 [if appropriate]

N.B. Any course may be counted in one category only, ENGL 4951 and 4990 fall outside the subject areas

2. Students may allow up to 6 credits in English for: Drama 3151 "Acting and DIrecting," Drama 3161 "Principles of Methods of Interpretation," and Drama 3001 "Dramatic Theory."

3. The Major or Minor in Drama. See Drama Entry

Subject Areas

Students are encouraged to take more than the minimal number of English courses required; this will give them a wider coverage of the subject. Those intending to take Honours should shape their course choices in that direction as soon as they have made a firm decision. This decision should not, preferably, be delayed beyond the end of the sophomore year. Honours students must consult with the Honours Coordinator each year at registration.

DRAMA

Courses taken in English dramatic literature (English 2211, 3211, 3311, 3431, 3551, 3561, 3611, and the 4000 series when appropriate), and English/Drama 1701 (Introduction to Drama) and English 3621 (Reading Films), may be used as partial qualification for an Interdisciplinary Major or an Interdisciplinary Minor Area of Study in Drama, or for the Double Major in English and Drama, consistent with limitations on "credits in common" as outlined in the University Calendar, section 7. Interested persons should consult the Calendar entry for Drama, and the Drama Program Advisor.

DEPARTMENTAL ADVICE

Students are encouraged to consult members of the Department in the selection of English courses. Those considering a Major or a Minor should consult the Head of Department or the Program Advisor. Those considering Honours should consult the Honours Coordinator, Dr. Peter Brown , preferably by February of their third year.

NOTE

The English Department expects that students will not make travel plans or schedule off-campus commitments during the academic terms, especially during the examination periods. Except in cases of health or other emergency, certified by the Dean of Students' Office, students are expected to write all tests and exams on the dates specified by the instructors and the university.

Regular attendance is an integral part of the learning experience and is valued and expected in all classes. Attendance and participation are often significant components of course grades.

The English Department considers plagiarism and cheating serious offenses. Individual instructors reserve the right to impose a variety of sanctions, up to and including failure of the entire course. For the University Policy on Academic Offences, please see Section 10.13 of the University Calendar.

The departmental standard is MLA Style.