The following is a description of course levels in the Department of English Literatures. For a list of courses that will be offered in the current academic year, please click here.

English Courses by Level

At the 1000-level, students planning to Major or Minor in English, or to take more advanced English courses in later years, should enrol in English 1201, an Introduction to Principles of Literary Analysis. In addition to English 1201, students Majoring or Minoring in English who register at Mount Allison beginning in September 2004 are required to take one of the three genre courses at the 1000 level. These are: English 1501, Introduction to Poetry; English 1701, Introduction to Drama; and English 1801, Introduction to Prose Fiction. Those looking for a more interdisciplinary approach may be more interested in English 1111 (Literature, the Arts and Humanities), or in English 1121 (Literature, Science and Technology), or in both. These courses are designed for students with a general interest in the relationship of English literature to their lives and to their other studies rather than in receiving the orientation to the disciplines of literary criticism and analysis stressed in the 1201 course and in the 1501, 1701, and 1801 courses.

In the 2000 Series students can choose from among a first Canadian literature course,
a first American Literature course, and an Introduction to Shakespeare. Students planning to Major in English will take the Literary Periods courses, English 2201 and English 2301, and may also take up to two other three-credit courses at the 2000 level, for a total of twelve credits at this level. Students Minoring may take up to 9 credits at the 2000 level, in any combination of the courses.

The 3000 Series is central to the Department's programme. It is devoted in part to the study of the traditional periods of literature. Courses in national literatures, postcolonial literatures, drama, literature by women, cultural studies, film studies, theory, and creative writing are also provided. Most 3000-level courses are offered in a rotation that sees their appearance every second year. Students should choose their courses at this level carefully in order to achieve a broad and well-integrated major (see the ‘subject area' requirements on the Programmes page, which are designed to ensure achievement of this goal).

The 4000 Series provides, through the ‘Selected Topics' courses, scope for more intensive exploration in areas already covered more generally in earlier courses. Normally taken only in the student's fourth year, these courses provide opportunity for both students and faculty to pursue their special interests. In each of these courses the topics chosen vary from year to year.

English 4951: Independent Study
A proposal for Independent Study should be developed after consultation with a member of faculty, and should include the following components:
• a rationale of 150-250 words that describes the focus of the course;
• a bibliography of both primary and secondary materials, formatted according to MLA guidelines;
• a time-line for the completion of readings and research;
• an outline of the proposed method of evaluation;
• a schedule of contact hours with your supervisor (both frequency and duration).

In considering your directed reading proposal, the English Department takes into account the following:
1. Is the proposal specific in its focus and/or research goals?
2. Does the proposal duplicate a course already offered? (Departmental guidelines state that directed readings should not reproduce existing courses.)
3. Are the primary and secondary sources listed in keeping with the stated research goals?
4. Is the proposal well-researched and well-written?
5. Is the proposed content material under the purview of the English Department (i.e. National Literatures, Literary Eras, Genres, or Movements, or Drama, Cultural Studies, Literary Theory)? In short, is it an English Literature course?
6. Has the student an average of approximately B (3.0) in English courses?
7. Is this the student's first proposal? (Normally, students will only complete one English 4951 project.)
8. Is the student in her/his fourth year? (Normally, fourth-year standing is required.)
9. Is there a member of faculty with the right combination of expertise, interest, and time available to supervise the project?

Proposals must be submitted before the final week of the term prior to the term for which the study is planned (ie. late fall for winter term; early spring for fall term).

DRAMA CREDITS

Students are allowed up to 6 credits in English for:

Drama 3001 (Dramatic Theory), Drama 3051 (Acting and Directing) and Drama 3061 (Principles and Methods of Production).

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. Those considering Honours should consult the Honours Coordinator, Dr. Deborah Wills, preferably by February of their third year.

NOTE: Information for all courses

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 6.13 of the University Calendar.

The departmental standard is MLA Style.