i Please note:
To view the current calendar, go to
English Major
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
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 any 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 level 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
An English major must complete 32 units in upper division English courses, two of which must come from Group 1 and one from Group 2.
Group 1
Students complete two 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.
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.
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.
Intensive study of several Old English poems. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students. Prerequisite: ENGL 300. Students with credit for ENGL 400 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Advanced study of specific aspects of Medieval literature. May be defined by author, genre, or critical approach. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students. Prerequisite: ENGL 304 or 306. Students with credit for ENGL 404 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
The study of selected dramatic works written in English prior to the Reformation. May be organized by author, genre, or critical approach. Does not include Shakespeare. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students. Prerequisite: One of ENGL 304, 306, 310, 311, 313, or 315. Students with credit for ENGL 407 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
The study of selected works of Early Modern poetry and prose written in English, and situated in their cultural context. May be organized by author, genre, or critical approach. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students. Prerequisite: One of ENGL 304, 306, 310, 311, 313 or 315. Students with credit for ENGL 410 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
The intensive study of selected works by John Milton, situated in their cultural context. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students. Prerequisite: One of ENGL 304, 306, 310, 311, 313, or 315. Students with credit for ENGL 316 or ENGL 416 may not take this course for credit. Writing.
Addresses specific issues in 18th century literature in English. May be organized by author, genre, or critical approach. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students. Prerequisite: ENGL 320 or 322. Students with credit for ENGL 420 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Group 2
Students complete 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.
Eight English units must be at the 400 level, excluding Directed Studies courses (ENGL 441, 442, 443 and 444). With permission of the department, other English courses of equivalent content may be substituted for those required in Group 1 and 2. The department may designate up to eight units of program-related upper division courses that are offered by other departments as being acceptable in fulfilling part of the required units in the major program.
Students must maintain at least a 2.00 grade point average in ENGL courses.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Major Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs (except the honours program), students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
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.
For calendar technical problems or errors, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar Changes and Corrections