English Language and Literature Studies Programs (BA)

Chair
Tim Conley

Professors
Gregory Betts, Tim Conley, Martin Danahay, Adam Dickinson, Neta Gordon, Ann Howey, Leah Knight, Mathew Martin, Lissa Paul, Elizabeth Sauer, Barbara K. Seeber, Carole Lynn Stewart

Associate Professors
Robert Alexander, James Allard, Lynn Arner, Natalee Caple, Gale Coskan-Johnson, Andrew Pendakis, Susan Spearey

Assistant Professor
Erin Akerman

Academic Advisor
Liz Hay

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Liz Keenan

905-688-5550, extension 3469
573A Glenridge 157
brocku.ca/english

The Literature programs in the Department of English Language and Literature focus on an understanding of the traditions, themes and dynamics of imaginative writing in English, within its various historical and cultural contexts. Students choose courses from a broad range of historically-organized courses, courses in literary genres, and courses in the history of language, criticism and theory. The Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse Studies program focuses on the theoretical, creative and practical applications of writing in and for a range of contexts. The Creative Writing program focuses on the craft of key literary genres, as well as the material and social contexts of creative writing. The Department aims in its programs to foster an informed and critical intelligence, a mastery of the best uses of language, and an appreciation for the social and personal centrality of powerful imaginative and expository writing across times and cultures.

The Department offers a BA Honours in English Language and Literature, a BA Honours in English and Creative Writing, a BA Honours in Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse Studies, a three-year program leading to the BA Pass degree in English Language and Literature or Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse Studies, a combined honours degree in English and Creative Writing and another subject, and combined honours and pass degrees in English Language and Literature and another subject or Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse Studies and another subject. Prospective students to the English and Creative Writing program must submit a portfolio in the Winter term of their first year. See Department for further details on portfolio requirements and due dates. In addition, the Department offers courses on academic, creative and professional writing which are available as electives to all Brock students who wish to explore theories of language production and develop their creative and professional writing skills. The Department also offers a Minor in English Language and Literature and a Minor in Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse Studies as well as a Certificate in Rhetoric and Professional Writing.

Seminars (discussion groups) are the rule in all English Language and Literature courses, encouraging students to become active participants in the study of literary texts. Through close attention to essay assignments, students learn to write in convincing and disciplined ways.

The Department of English Language and Literature offers credit for specified Dramatic Literature courses.

Students may register in courses numbered 4(alpha)00 and above only upon admittance to Year 4 studies or with the permission of the instructor and the Chair.

Program Notes

1. The following Dramatic Arts courses are available for English credit: DART 2P96  , DART 2Q92 , DART 3Q91  and DART 3Q92 .
2. Students may take a maximum of one credit from ENGL 2P80 , ENGL 2P81 , ENGL 2P82 , ENGL 2P83  to satisfy List A requirements.
3. Students may take a maximum of three DART credits for English credit towards an Honours degree, and a maximum of two DART credits towards a Pass degree.
4. The Department recommends that students take one credit in dramatic literature from ENGL 2P80 , ENGL 2P81 , ENGL 2P82 , ENGL 2P83 , ENGL 2P84 , DART 1P91 , DART 1P92 , DART 2P96 , DART 2Q92 , DART 3P92 , DART 3Q91 , DART 3Q92 .
5. The Department advises students in English programs to have their programs reviewed each year by the Faculty of Humanities Undergraduate Adviser. Students planning to enter fourth year are required to have their programs approved by the Faculty of Humanities Undergraduate Adviser.
6. Honours students are restricted to two credits numbered 4(alpha)00 and above; Combined Honours students are restricted to the number of credits numbered 4(alpha)00 and above as specified in the year-by-year program plan.
7. Where List course requirements include one ENGL credit from List D or one ENGL credit from List E, the requirement may be met with one-half credit from List D and one-half credit from List E.
8. In 20 credit Honours degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In this 20 credit BA with Major degree program a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least four and one-half credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least one and one-half credits must be credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.

List Courses

List Courses in English and Writing reflect historical periods, studies in genre, and studies in theory and criticism as follows: