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English Honours
This program, for those with special interest in English literature and who wish to pursue studies beyond the major program, requires the study of theory, criticism and research methods in ENGL 364, 465W and 494. The honours essay (ENGL 496) allows for independent research and writing on a topic of the student's choice.
Students who are planning to enter the honours program are particularly encouraged to consult with departmental advisors.
Program Requirements
Students complete 132 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students proposing to enter the honours program will complete the same lower division ENGL courses as English majors (see below). Normally a 3.5 GPA in all ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV English courses is required for honours program acceptance and continuance but does not guarantee either.
Students complete two of
Examines selected works of literature in order to develop a critical awareness of literary techniques and contexts in the representation of experience. May include the comparative study of works in related literary and artistic genres, and will pay some attention to literature of the Twentieth century. Includes attention to writing skills. Writing/Breadth-Humanities. Prerequisite: . Equivalent Courses: ENGL101. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Examines selected works of literature in order to develop a critical awareness of literary techniques and contexts in the representation of experience. May include the comparative study of works in related literary and artistic genres, and will pay some attention to literature of the Twentieth century. Includes attention to writing skills. Writing/Breadth-Humanities. Prerequisite: . Equivalent Courses: ENGL102. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Examines selected works of literature in order to develop a critical awareness of literary techniques and contexts in the representation of experience. May include the comparative study of works in related literary and artistic genres, and will pay some attention to literature of the Twentieth century. Includes attention to writing skills. Writing/Breadth-Humanities. Prerequisite: . Equivalent Courses: ENGL103. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
The literary study of a variety of prose genres, such as the essay, biography, autobiography, travel narrative, and journalistic writing. May include works which challenge the boundary between fiction and non-fiction. The course is intended to develop a critical awareness of literary techniques and contexts in the representation of experience. Includes attention to writing skills. Writing/Breadth-Humanities. Prerequisite: . Equivalent Courses: ENGL104. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
An introduction to the study of literature within the wider cultural field, with a focus on contemporary issues across genres and media. Writing/Breadth-Humanities. Prerequisite: . Equivalent Courses: ENGL105. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
An introduction to reading and writing in the academic disciplines. Prerequisite: 12 units. Students with credit for ENGL 199 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
and one of
Anglo-Saxon literature and Middle English literature, in translation when necessary. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Students with credit for ENGL 204 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
A survey of the literature of the period from 1485 to Milton. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Students with credit for ENGL 204 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
and one of
A survey of the literature of the period from 1660 to 1800. May include writing from North America. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Breadth-Humanities. Breadth-Humanities.
The study of nineteenth century North American, British, and/or Post-colonial literatures. May include some writing from North America. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Breadth-Humanities.
and two of
Anglo-Saxon literature and Middle English literature, in translation when necessary. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Students with credit for ENGL 204 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
A survey of the literature of the period from 1485 to Milton. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Students with credit for ENGL 204 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
A survey of the literature of the period from 1660 to 1800. May include writing from North America. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Breadth-Humanities. Breadth-Humanities.
The study of nineteenth century North American, British, and/or Post-colonial literatures. May include some writing from North America. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Breadth-Humanities.
The study of twentieth century North American, British, and/or Post-colonial literatures. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. Breadth-Humanities.
Advanced practice of writing critical, expository prose in a rhetorical context. Prerequisite: Two 100-level English courses, one of which must be 199/199W or 3 transfer credits in English writing. Students with credit for ENGL 210 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
A study of different historical methods of measuring poetry in English, with practice in scanning and analyzing poems using different methods of quantitative analysis (e.g. Syllabic, rhythmic, alliterative). Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses. ENGL 102/102W is recommended. Quantitative.
Introduction to the history and principles of rhetoric, and their application to the creation and analysis of written, visual, and other forms of persuasion. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses.
The study of selected works in the history of literary criticism, up to and including modern and contemporary movements in criticism. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses.
Students who have completed a flexible pre-major with 18 lower division English transfer units have met the lower division requirements for an English major and should contact the Department of English advisor.
Students wishing to major in English are strongly advised to submit a formal declaration to this effect to the undergraduate advisor upon completing all lower division requirements.
* any one, but not more than one of these courses may be replaced by any three unspecified transfer units in English or in ENGL-Writing
** any one, but not more than one, of these courses may be replaced by any three unspecified 200 division transfer units in English
** †recommended
Upper Division Requirements
English honours must obtain 52 upper division ENGL units including one of
The study of the basics of the Old English language and the reading of several texts of relative simplicity. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
Studies of medieval authors, genres or issues, from 500-1500. Texts will be studied in the original language or in translation. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
The study of selected works by Geoffrey Chaucer, especially The Canterbury Tales, read in the language in which they were written and situated in the context of Fourteenth century European culture. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
and one of
The study of non-Shakespearean Early Modern Literature. May be defined by genre, theme, or author. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
A study of the works of William Shakespeare performed before 1601. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses. Students may take both ENGL 311 and 313 for credit towards the English major. Students with credit for ENGL 312 may not take this course for further credit without permission of the department.
A study of the works of Shakespeare performed after 1600. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses. Students may take both ENGL 311 and 313 for credit towards the English major. Students with credit for ENGL 312 may not take this course for further credit without permission of the department.
Selected works of seventeenth-century poetry and/or prose, situated in their cultural context. May include some writing from North America. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses. Students with credit for ENGL 314 may not take this course for further credit.
and one of
The study of selected works of late seventeenth century and eighteenth century literature, with an emphasis on genres other than the novel. May include some writing from outside Britain, and may be organized by various critical issues or approaches. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
The study of selected 18th century novels, situated in their cultural context. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses. Students with credit for ENGL 408 may not take this course for further credit.
Addresses issues in Romantic literature in English. May include texts in a variety of genres and be organized according to various critical approaches. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
Addresses specific issues in Victorian literature in English. May be organized by author, genre, or critical approach and may include literature from outside of Britain. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses and two 200 division English courses. Students with credit for ENGL 329 or 333 may not take this course for further credit.
and one of
The study of selected works of Canadian literature written before 1920. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
The study of selected works of Canadian literature written after 1920. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses. Students with credit for ENGL 356 or 358 may not take this course for further credit.
The study of selected works of British Columbian literature. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
and one of
The study and application of select literary theories. Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses. Recommended: ENGL 216.
Advanced seminar in literary theory. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students. Prerequisite: ENGL 364. Students with credit for ENGL 465 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Introduces students enrolled in the English honours program to the basic methodological issues and procedures that define the field, and provides them with the opportunity to work with a faculty supervisor in researching a specific topic for their honours graduating essay. Prerequisite: Permission of the department, plus normally a minimum of 90 units, including credit or standing in two 100 division English courses, two 200 division English courses, and four 300 or 400 division English courses, one of which must be ENGL 364.
Prerequisite: Lower division requirements for the English major. Open only to students who have been accepted into the English honours program, and who have completed ENGL 494.
Of the 52 upper division ENGL units, 20 must be 400 division English, excluding directed studies courses (ENGL 441, 442, 443 and 444).
Upon completion of the above requirements, students may apply for admission to the honours program.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) honours programs, students complete 132 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- students complete at least 60 upper division units, which must include at least 50 units in upper division courses in a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program; no more than 15 upper division units that have been transferred from another institution can be used toward this requirement
- Students complete lower division requirements for at least one Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program
- students are required to achieve an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0, and an honours program CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.
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