¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

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Department of World Languages and Literatures | ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar | Summer 2023

World Literature Honours

Bachelor of Arts

This program, intended for outstanding students who wish to study world literature beyond the major program’s course work, requires concentrated research and writing on a topic that has been approved by the department.

Entry to the program is competitive, and by application. Only a small number of students are admitted each year. Along with the requirements listed below, the core of the program is the honours essay, produced across two courses occurring in subsequent terms: WL 480 (4) in which the student completes and formalizes their research, and WL 490 (4) in which the actual essay is composed and edited.

The program's language of instruction is English. Students are encouraged to study languages and to study abroad.

For further information, visit /wll/programs/honours.html.

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements

Interested students draw up a one-page statement of their prospective honours project in consultation with a world languages and literatures faculty member who has the relevant expertise. This statement needs to be received well in advance of the intended start of the program – the statement will then be forwarded to the departmental chair for approval. 

Applicants must have a minimum 3.67 grade point average (GPA) in world literature courses, and a minimum 3.33 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

Program Requirements

Students complete 120 units, as specified below, including 12 units of language study, which may include courses completed during study abroad or field schools, or an approved equivalent. Ideally, students would complete six units of language study alongside their lower division requirements, and six units of language study alongside their upper division requirements. The 12 units of language study may include any combination of lower or upper division language courses. Students with demonstrated competence in languages other than English may have this language requirement reduced or waived at the discretion of the department chair. With prior approval, students can also complete an upper division course at another university.

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete a total of 18 units, including

WL 100 - What is World Literature? (3)

Explores how texts travel beyond their cultures of origin, influence other cultural contexts and ideas, and become works of world literature. Introduces the concepts of cross-cultural literary criticism and translation. Breadth-Humanities.

one 100 level WL Writing course

and

WL 200 - How to Do Things with World Literature (3)

Introduces major theoretical approaches to literature and fundamental techniques of literary analysis. Develops students' critical skills for analytical writing about literature in comparative, cross-cultural contexts. Prerequisite: six units in World Literature, including one W course.

plus nine additional lower division WL units, at least six of which must be taken at the 200 level

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum total of 48 upper division WL units, including both of

WL 300 - How Ideas Travel (4)

Explores the counterpoint of Western and non-Western approaches to world literature. May draw from disciplines including comparative literature, history, anthropology, and semiotics to focus on how concepts of world literature are imported and transformed in new cultural contexts. Builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in WL 200. Prerequisite: 45 units, including WL 200.

WL 301W - Writing and Research (4)

Helps students develop more advanced critical thinking and writing skills through a selected topic in world literature. Explores specific literary research methods such as formulating a research question, engaging with secondary sources, and creating a strong authorial voice. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units in World Literature. Writing.

plus 32 additional upper division WL units, of which at least eight must be taken at the 400 level

plus both of

WL 480 - Research Seminar for Honours Essay (4)

Examines the methods and methodologies of world literature by focusing on case studies of influence, reception and translation. The case studies will be chosen in relation to students' approved topics for honours essays. Students, meeting regularly with their advisors, will perform extensive preparatory research for WL 490 and show solid evidence of this preparation by the end of the semester. Prerequisite: Lower division and language requirements for the World Literature major plus 12 units of upper division requirements including WL 300. Open only to students who have been accepted into the World Literature honours program. ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV is by permission of the Instructor and the Department.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
TBD
WL 490 - Honours Graduate Essay (4)

Examines the methods and methodologies of world literature by focusing on case studies of influence, reception and translation. The case studies will be chosen in relation to students' approved topics for honours essays. Honours students will meet regularly with their supervisors, building upon the research work completed in WL 480 in order to complete a final draft of their research essay. Students will present their research essay in a public forum at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: Lower division and language requirements for the World Literature major plus 12 units of upper division requirements including WL 300. Open only to students who have been accepted into the World Literature honours program. ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV is by permission of the Instructor and the Department.

Relevant Topic Courses

With prior approval, students may complete a maximum of three lower and eight upper division units of relevant topic courses from outside the Department of World Languages and Literatures (courses offered at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV or our field schools and exchanges) by submitting the course description to the world languages and literatures advisor. The following pre-approved courses are appropriate.

ENGL 209 - Race, Borders, Empire (3)

Examines how literature and language work to reflect, perform, complicate, and critique constructions of race, ethnicity, and national and diasporic identities and spaces. May draw from post-colonial approaches, critical race theory, and Indigenous and decolonizing methodologies. May be further organized by historical period, genre, or critical approach. Prerequisite: 12 units or one 100-division English course. Breadth-Humanities.

ENGL 361 - Diaspora Literatures in English (4)

Study of primarily 20th- and 21st-century literatures and cultures by diasporic or racialized authors, oftentimes highlighting longstanding legacies of migration, racialization, social justice, and aesthetic innovation. Focus may include Asian, Black, Caribbean, or South Asian literatures and expressive arts. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 30 units or two 200-division English courses. Students in the Global Asia Program Minor may enroll with permission of the instructor.

ENGL 362 - Transnational Literatures in English (4)

Study of primarily 20th- and 21st-century literatures and cultures in a comparative transnational framework. Focus may be hemispheric American literatures, the literatures of ‘the global south’, historical colonial and/or contemporary postcolonial/decolonial literatures, global environmental literature, and contemporary avant garde poetry and poetics. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 30 units or two 200-division English courses.

ENGL 439W - Seminar in World Literatures in English (4)

Advanced seminar in literary works in English, mainly from regions other than Canada, Britain and the United States. The course may focus on one or several literatures or individual authors, and will be organized according to specific critical methodologies. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units or two 300-division English courses. Writing.

FREN 330 - Francophone World (3)

A multidisciplinary analysis of socio-cultural aspects of French speaking countries, involving written work and oral participation. Prerequisite: FREN 222 or permission of instructor. Breadth-Humanities.

FREN 342 - Francophone World Literature in Translation (3)

A study of representative and significant works (from one or more French speaking countries) from literature and cinema originally produced in French in their socio-cultural context. This course does not count towards the degree requirements for an extended minor, major or honours in French. With permission of the Department of English, may count towards the requirements of an English major or honours. Prerequisite: Knowledge of French is not required; two courses in literature.

HUM 203 - Great Texts: Asian Thought and Literature (3)

An introduction to classic texts which have endured as monuments of Asian thought and literature. Readings and discussions of primary texts and their central ideas will introduce students to philosophical, literary and religious themes in a selected, major Asian tradition. Breadth-Humanities.

HUM 309 - Literatures and the Arts Across Cultures (4)

An interdisciplinary study of literary texts in translation and/or art forms across cultures and periods. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students with credit for HS 309 or WL 309 under this topic, or HS 303 under the title "Reflection on the Greek Civil War" may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

HUM 318 - Heroines in Greece and Beyond: Political Representations of Women in Film and Literature (4)

Examines the impact of national and political contexts upon individual women, their personal histories, political engagement, memories and identities. Traces archetypes of women from the Greek world into different contexts. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students with credit for HS 318 or GSWS 318 or HS 303 under the title "Political Representations of Women in Film and Literature" may not take this course for further credit.

HUM 382 - Selected Topics in Asian Art and Cultures (4)

An in-depth study on a specific aspect of Asian cultures in the modern period, including art, film, media and/or literature. Prerequisite: 45 units.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Shuyu Kong
Jun 28 – Aug 4, 2023: Tue, Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Vancouver
INDG 110W - International Indigenous Lifewriting (4)

Exploration of Indigenous forms of research and inquiry (ie. genealogies, oral story-telling, autobiographies). Examine and explore life stories of Indigenous authors from around the world. Students with credit for FNST 110W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to study abroad, through field schools or exchanges. World literature major students may complete up to 15 upper division units at other universities or other universities' field schools and exchanges with prior approval. Submit the relevant course description to the world languages and literatures advisor well in advance of the course.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours Degree Requirements

For all bachelor of arts (BA) honours programs, students complete at least 120 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 48 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
  • at least 60 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
  • 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 Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements 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)

Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

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Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.