Karin Beeler, Professor Emerita
Stan Beeler, Professor Emeritus
Dee Horne, Professor Emerita
Blanca Schorcht, Professor Emerita
Maryna Romanets, Professor and Acting Chair
Robert Budde, Professor
Lisa Dickson, Professor
Kristen Guest, Professor
Kevin Hutchings, Professor
Christine Campana, Assistant Professor
Monica Mattfeld, Assistant Professor
Website:www.unbc.ca/english
ÂÜÀòÉäÇø’s English program includes course offerings in Canadian, British, American and International English literatures as well as world literature in English translation, and literary theory. Key areas include First Nations Literature, Canadian Literature, Comparative Literature, Women’s Literature, Feminist Criticism and Theory, literature and media technology, and the relationship between literature and other disciplines. Creative writing and other kinds of writing courses are also available. The program encourages interdisciplinarity between literature, cultural studies, and science or technology. Computer literacy is a priority, as is the delivery of courses on the World Wide Web. The interdisciplinary perspective prepares students for a number of graduate or professional programs (e.g. English, Journalism, Creative Writing, Law, Education, Business) or employment in the public or private sectors.
Major in English (BA)
Joint Major in English and Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BA)
Joint Major in English and History (BA)
Joint Major in English and Political Science (BA)
Joint Major in English and Women's Studies (BA)
Minor in English
Major in English
The major in English requires students to take 18 English courses (54 credit hours) at least 30 credit hours of which must be upper-division courses (300 and 400 level) with at least 9 credit hours of these at the 400 level. Students wishing to take more than 66 credit hours in English must obtain written permission from the Department Chair.
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Subject Requirement
The major in English requires students to take 18 courses (54 credit hours) of English or approved ancillary courses and must include:
Introductory
One of the following:
| Introduction to Literary Structures | |
| Introduction to Film |
Foundational Surveys
Both of the following:
| Survey of English Literature I | |
| Survey of English Literature II |
Theory
One of the following:
| Gender and Literary Theory | |
| The History of Literary Criticism and Theory | |
| Contemporary Theory |
Lower-Division Requirements
Two of the following:
| Introduction to Television Studies | |
| Women and Literature: A Survey | |
| Shakespeare | |
| Introduction to Early Modern Literature in English | |
| Introduction to Restoration and 18th Century Literature | |
| Introduction to Romantic Literature | |
| Introduction to Victorian Literature | |
| Modern British Literature |
Upper-Division Requirements
Two of the following:
| Intermediate Studies in Film or Television | |
| Indigenous Literatures in Canada and the United States | |
| Genres in Canadian Literature | |
| International Literatures in English | |
| Comparative Literary Studies | |
| Early Modern Literature in English | |
| Restoration and 18th Century Literature | |
| Romantic Literature | |
| Victorian Literature | |
| 19th Century Literature in the United States | |
| Special Topics in Contemporary Women's Literature | |
| Special Topics in Indigenous Literatures | |
| Special Topics in Canadian Literature | |
| Special Topics in International Literatures in English | |
| Special Topics in Comparative Literary Studies | |
| Special Topics in Romantic Literature | |
| Special Topics in Victorian Literature | |
| Special Topics in Modern and Contemporary Literature in the United States | |
| Special Topics in Early Modern Literature in English |
PLUS
Upper-Division Requirement
Seven upper-division ENGL courses (21 credit hours) at the 300 or 400 level
Three upper-division ENGL courses (9 credit hours) at the 400 level
Approved Ancillary Courses for a Major in English
A maximum of three ancillary courses (9 credit hours) may be counted towards the English major requirements, but none may be counted towards an English minor.
| Indigenous Women: Perspectives | |
| History of Feminism | |
| Contemporary Feminist Theories |
Students planning to continue on to a graduate degree in English should consult with English faculty and/or the receiving institution to assist them in determining which courses are most appropriate in fulfilling the additional 10 courses (30 credit hours) of English subject requirements.
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Joint Major in English and Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BA)
The English and Environmental and Sustainability Studies joint major equips students with communication skills and knowledge of environmental issues, regulations and policies. The joint major prepares students to have a positive influence on the environment through written and other forms of expression. This joint major is of particular interest to students who wish to pursue a career in environmental writing, creative non-fiction, science writing and/or journalism.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
| Introductory Ecology | |
| Introduction to Film | |
| Introduction to Television Studies | |
| Introduction to Romantic Literature | |
| Introduction to Environmental Citizenship | |
| Environmental Perspectives | |
| Introduction to Environmental Policy | |
| The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| Planet Earth | |
| Resources, Economies, and Sustainability | |
| or | Sustainable Outdoor Recreation and Tourism |
Note: (Computer Applications) is recommended for students without computing experience.
Two of the following:
| Introduction to Literary Structures | |
| Expository Writing | |
| Introduction to Creative Writing |
One of the following:
| Survey of English Literature I | |
| Introduction to Victorian Literature |
One of the following:
| Social Geography | |
| Introduction to Global Studies | |
| Introduction to Natural Resources Management and Conservation |
Upper-Division Requirement
The following nine courses (27 credit hours) at the 300 or 400 level:
| Gender, Environment and Sustainability | |
| Public Engagement for Sustainability | |
| Environmental and Professional Ethics | |
| Global Environmental Policy: Energy and Climate | |
| Environmental and Sustainability Studies Senior Seminar | |
| Environmental Justice | |
| or | Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making |
| An Introduction to Environmental History | |
| Aboriginal Perspectives on Land and Resource Management | |
| or | Indigenous Environmental Philosophy |
| Environmental Problems and Human Behaviour | |
| or | Human Adaptability and Environmental Stress |
| or | Landscapes, Place and Culture |
| or | Environmental Anthropology |
Eight English courses (24 credit hours) at the 300 or 400 level:
One of the following:
| Intermediate Studies in Film or Television | |
| Genres in Canadian Literature | |
| Comparative Literary Studies | |
| Romantic Literature | |
| Victorian Literature |
Two of the following:
| Special Topics in Canadian Literature | |
| Special Topics in Northern BC Literature | |
| Special Topics in Science Fiction | |
| Special Topics in Romantic Literature | |
| Special Topics in Literature of the Fantastic | |
| Special Topics in Cultural Studies |
Five additional English courses (15 credit hours) are required to ensure the fulfillment of the 24 credit hour upper-division requirement in English. Two courses may be chosen from the following list of English ancillary courses:
| Indigenous Women: Perspectives | |
| Contemporary Feminist Theories |
One of the following theory courses:
| Gender and Literary Theory | |
| The History of Literary Criticism and Theory | |
| Contemporary Theory |
Elective and Academic Breadth
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Joint Major in English and History (BA)
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a Joint Major in English and History is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
One of the following theory courses:
| Gender and Literary Theory | |
| The History of Literary Criticism and Theory | |
| Contemporary Theory |
AND
Lower-Division Requirement
| Survey of English Literature I | |
| Survey of English Literature II | |
| World History to 1550 | |
| World History since 1550 |
One of the following:
| Introduction to Literary Structures | |
| Introduction to Film |
Two of the following:
| Women and Literature: A Survey | |
| Shakespeare | |
| Introduction to Early Modern Literature in English | |
| Introduction to Restoration and 18th Century Literature | |
| Introduction to Romantic Literature | |
| Introduction to Victorian Literature | |
| Modern British Literature |
Three additional courses (9 credit hours) of History at the 100 or 200 level.
Upper-Division Requirement
Of the 13 English courses (39 credit hours) required for this degree, at least seven courses (21 credit hours) must be at the 300 and 400 level, with at least two of those seven courses (6 of those 21 credit hours) at the 400 level.
| Historiography: The Nature of the Historical Discipline |
Two of the following:
| Indigenous Literatures in Canada and the United States | |
| Genres in Canadian Literature | |
| International Literatures in English | |
| Comparative Literary Studies | |
| Early Modern Literature in English | |
| Restoration and 18th Century Literature | |
| Romantic Literature | |
| Victorian Literature | |
| 19th Century Literature in the United States | |
| Special Topics in Contemporary Women's Literature | |
| Special Topics in Indigenous Literatures | |
| Special Topics in Canadian Literature | |
| Special Topics in International Literatures in English | |
| Special Topics in Comparative Literary Studies |
Six courses (18 credit hours) in History at the 300 or 400 level.
Five additional English courses (15 credit hours) ensuring fulfillment of the upper-division requirement. Two courses may be chosen from the following list of English ancillary courses:
| Indigenous Women: Perspectives | |
| History of Feminism | |
| Contemporary Feminist Theories |
Elective and Academic Breadth
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Joint Major in English and Political Science (BA)
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a Joint Major in English and Political Science is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
| Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences | |
| or | Basic Statistics |
| Survey of English Literature I | |
| Survey of English Literature II | |
| Contemporary Political Issues | |
| Canadian Government and Politics | |
| Canada in Comparative Perspective | |
| International Relations | |
| Political Philosophy: Antiquity to Early Modernity |
One of the following:
| Introduction to Literary Structures | |
| Introduction to Film |
Two of the following:
| Women and Literature: A Survey | |
| Shakespeare | |
| Introduction to Early Modern Literature in English | |
| Introduction to Restoration and 18th Century Literature | |
| Introduction to Romantic Literature | |
| Introduction to Victorian Literature | |
| Modern British Literature |
Upper-Division Requirement
Of the 13 English courses (39 credit hours) required for this joint major, seven courses (21 credit hours) must be at the 300 and/or 400 level, with at least two of those seven courses (6 of those 21 credit hours) at the 400 level.
| Democracy and Democratization | |
| Political Philosophy: Early Modernity to Post-Modernity |
Two of the following:
| Indigenous Literatures in Canada and the United States | |
| Genres in Canadian Literature | |
| International Literatures in English | |
| Comparative Literary Studies | |
| Early Modern Literature in English | |
| Restoration and 18th Century Literature | |
| Romantic Literature | |
| Victorian Literature | |
| 19th Century Literature in the United States | |
| Special Topics in Contemporary Women's Literature | |
| Special Topics in Indigenous Literatures | |
| Special Topics in Canadian Literature | |
| Special Topics in International Literatures in English | |
| Special Topics in Comparative Literary Studies |
Five additional English courses (15 credit hours). Up to two of the following ancillary courses (up to 6 credit hours) may be counted among those five additional courses:
| Indigenous Women: Perspectives | |
| History of Feminism | |
| Contemporary Feminist Theories |
Three additional courses (9 credit hours) of Political Science at the 400 level.
Two additional courses (6 credit hours) of Political Science at the upper division.
One of the following theory courses:
| Gender and Literary Theory | |
| The History of Literary Criticism and Theory | |
| Contemporary Theory |
Elective and Academic Breadth
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Joint Major in English and Women's Studies (BA)
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a Joint Major in English and Women's Studies is 120 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
| Survey of English Literature I | |
| Survey of English Literature II | |
| Introduction to Women's Studies |
One of the following:
| Gender and Literary Theory | |
| Women and Literature: A Survey |
One of the following:
| Introduction to Literary Structures | |
| Introduction to Film |
Six credit hours of Women's Studies at the 100 or 200 level.
Upper-Division Requirement
| Special Topics in Contemporary Women's Literature | |
| or | Contemporary Women's Literature |
| History of Feminism | |
| or | History of Feminism |
| Women and the Contemporary World | |
| Qualitative Research Methods |
One of the following:
| The History of Literary Criticism and Theory | |
| Contemporary Theory |
One of the following:
| Indigenous Literatures in Canada and the United States | |
| Genres in Canadian Literature | |
| Comparative Literary Studies | |
| Special Topics in Contemporary Women's Literature | |
| Special Topics in Indigenous Literatures | |
| Special Topics in Canadian Literature | |
| Special Topics in International Literatures in English | |
| Special Topics in Comparative Literary Studies |
Additional Requirements
Two of the following:
| Shakespeare | |
| Introduction to Early Modern Literature in English | |
| Introduction to Restoration and 18th Century Literature | |
| Introduction to Romantic Literature | |
| Introduction to Victorian Literature | |
| Modern British Literature | |
| Early Modern Literature in English | |
| Restoration and 18th Century Literature | |
| Romantic Literature | |
| Victorian Literature |
Nine credit hours of English courses at the 300 or 400 level.
At least 15 credit hours selected from the following:
| Anthropological Perspectives on Inequality | |
| Feminist Perspectives in Anthropology | |
| Women and the Economy | |
| Gender, Environment and Sustainability | |
| First Nations Perspectives on Race, Class, Gender and Power | |
| Women in Canada | |
| Topics in the History of Gender | |
| Topics in Women's History | |
| Gender and International Studies | |
| Women and Health | |
| Social and Health Policy and Administration | |
| Resource Communities in Transition | |
| Lesbian and Bisexual Lives | |
| Indigenous Women: Perspectives | |
| Introduction to the History of Gender | |
| Contemporary Feminist Theories | |
| Topics in Aboriginal Women's Studies | |
| Selected Topics in Women's Studies |
Elective and Academic Breadth
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Minor in English
The minor in English requires that students take at least six English courses (18 credit hours), at least four (12 credit hours) of which must be upper-division. A maximum of two courses (6 credit hours) used to fulfill program requirements for a major or another minor may also be used to fulfill requirements for a minor in English. The minor must include:
One of the following:
| Gender and Literary Theory | |
| The History of Literary Criticism and Theory | |
| Contemporary Theory |
Five English courses selected to ensure a minimum of four courses are completed at the 300 or 400 level.
Updated: December 5, 2024