English (BA Program)

Stan Beeler, Professor Emeritus
Dee Horne, Professor Emerita
Blanca Schorcht, Professor Emerita

Karin Beeler, Professor and Chair
Robert Budde, Professor
Lisa Dickson, Professor
Kristen Guest, Professor
Kevin Hutchings, Professor
Maryna Romanets, Professor
Christine Campana, Assistant Professor
Monica Mattfeld, Assistant Professor

Website:www.unbc.ca/english

UNBC’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:

ENGL 100-3 Introduction to Literary Structures
ENGL 103-3 Introduction to Fiction
ENGL 104-3 Introduction to Film
ENGL 120-3 Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Literatures

Foundational Surveys
Both of the following:

ENGL 211-3 Survey of English Literature I
ENGL 212-3 Survey of English Literature II

Theory
One of the following:

ENGL 200-3 Gender and Literary Theory
ENGL 300-3 Theory
ENGL 400-3 Contemporary Theory

Lower-Division Requirements

Two of the following:

ENGL 209-3 Introduction to Television Studies
ENGL 210-3 Women and Literature: A Survey
ENGL 280-3 Shakespeare
ENGL 281-3 Introduction to Renaissance Literature
ENGL 282-3 Introduction to Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 283-3 Introduction to Romantic Literature
ENGL 284-3 Introduction to Victorian Literature
ENGL 285-3 Modern British Literature

Upper-Division Requirements

Two of the following:

ENGL 309-3 Intermediate Studies in Film or Television
ENGL 320-3 Indigenous Literature in Canada and the United States
ENGL 331-3 Genres in Canadian Literature
ENGL 340-3 Postcolonial Literature
ENGL 350-3 Comparative Literature
ENGL 381-3 Renaissance Literature
ENGL 382-3 Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 383-3 Romantic Literature
ENGL 384-3 Victorian Literature
ENGL 386-3 19th Century Literature in the United States
ENGL 410-3 Contemporary Women's Literature
ENGL 420-3 Special Topics in Indigenous Literature
ENGL 430-3 Special Topics in Canadian Literature
ENGL 440-(3-6) Special Topics in Postcolonial Literature
ENGL 450-(3-6) Special Topics in Comparative Literature
ENGL 483-(3-6) Special Topics in Romantic Literature
ENGL 484-(3-6) Special Topics in Victorian Literature
ENGL 485-(3-6) Special Topics in Modern and Contemporary Literature in the United States
ENGL 491-(3-6) Special Topics in Renaissance Literature

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. 

WMST 306-3 Indigenous Women: Perspectives
WMST 311-3 History of Feminism
WMST 411-3 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

BIOL 110-3 Introductory Ecology
ENGL 104-3 Introduction to Film
ENGL 209-3 Introduction to Television Studies
ENGL 283-3 Introduction to Romantic Literature
ENVS 101-3 Introduction to Environmental Citizenship
ENVS 210-3 Environmental Perspectives
ENVS 230-3 Introduction to Environmental Policy
FNST 100-3 The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada
GEOG 101-3 Planet Earth
GEOG 202-3 Resources, Economies, and Sustainability
    or ORTM 200-3 Sustainable Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Note: CPSC 150-3 (Computer Applications) is recommended for students without computing experience.

Two of the following: 

ENGL 100-3 Introduction to Literary Structures
ENGL 120-3 Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Literatures
ENGL 270-3 Expository Writing 
ENGL 271-3 Introduction to Creative Writing 

One of the following:

ENGL 211-3 Survey of English Literature I
ENGL 284-3 Introduction to Victorian Literature 

One of the following:

GEOG 206-3 Social Geography
INTS 100-3 Introduction to Global Studies 
NREM 101-3 Introduction to Natural Resources Management and Conservation

Upper-Division Requirement

The following nine courses (27 credit hours) at the 300 or 400 level:

ENVS 309-3 Gender, Environment and Sustainability
ENVS 326-3 Public Engagement for Sustainability
ENVS 414-3 Environmental and Professional Ethics
ENVS 431-3 Global Environmental Policy: Energy and Climate
ENVS 480-3 Environmental and Sustainability Studies Senior Seminar
GEOG 420-3 Environmental Justice
      or GEOG 305-3 Political Ecology: Environmental Knowledge and Decision-Making
HIST 360-3 An Introduction to Environmental History
NREM 303-3 Aboriginal Perspectives on Land and Resource Management
     or FNST 304-3 Indigenous Environmental Philosophy
PSYC 408-3 Environmental Problems and Human Behaviour
       or ANTH 312-3 Human Adaptability and Environmental Stress
       or ANTH 405-3 Landscapes, Place and Culture
       or ANTH 413-3 Environmental Anthropology

Eight English courses (24 credit hours) at the 300 or 400 level:

One of the following:

ENGL 309-3 Intermediate Studies in Film or Television
ENGL 331-3 Genres in Canadian Literature
ENGL 350-3 Comparative Literature
ENGL 383-3 Romantic Literature 
ENGL 384-3 Victorian Literature 

Two of the following:

ENGL 430-3 Special Topics in Canadian Literature
ENGL 431-3 Northern BC Literature
ENGL 480-(3-6) Science Fiction 
ENGL 483-(3-6) Special Topics in Romantic Literature 
ENGL 486-(3-6) Literature of the Fantastic 
ENGL 493-(3-6) 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:

WMST 306-3 Indigenous Women: Perspectives 
WMST 411-3 Contemporary Feminist Theories

One of the following theory courses:

ENGL 200-3 Gender and Literary Theory
ENGL 300-3 Theory
ENGL 400-3 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:

ENGL 200-3 Gender and Literary Theory
ENGL 300-3 Theory
ENGL 400-3 Contemporary Theory

AND
Lower-Division Requirement

ENGL 211-3 Survey of English Literature I
ENGL 212-3 Survey of English Literature II
HIST 190-3 World History to 1550
HIST 191-3 World History since 1550

One of the following:

ENGL 100-3 Introduction to Literary Structures
ENGL 103-3 Introduction to Fiction
ENGL 104-3 Introduction to Film

Two of the following:

ENGL 210-3 Women and Literature: A Survey
ENGL 280-3 Shakespeare
ENGL 281-3 Introduction to Renaissance Literature
ENGL 282-3 Introduction to Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 283-3 Introduction to Romantic Literature
ENGL 284-3 Introduction to Victorian Literature
ENGL 285-3 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.

HIST 300-3 Historiography: The Nature of the Historical Discipline

Two of the following:

ENGL 320-3 Indigenous Literature in Canada and the United States
ENGL 331-3 Genres in Canadian Literature
ENGL 340-3 Postcolonial Literature
ENGL 350-3 Comparative Literature
ENGL 381-3 Renaissance Literature
ENGL 382-3 Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 383-3 Romantic Literature
ENGL 384-3 Victorian Literature
ENGL 386-3 19th Century Literature in the United States
ENGL 410-3 Contemporary Women's Literature
ENGL 420-3 Special Topics in Indigenous Literature
ENGL 430-3 Special Topics in Canadian Literature
ENGL 440-(3-6) Special Topics in Postcolonial Literature
ENGL 450-(3-6) Special Topics in Comparative Literature

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:

WMST 306-3 Indigenous Women: Perspectives
WMST 311-3 History of Feminism
WMST 411-3 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

ECON 205-3 Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences
    or STAT 240-3 Basic Statistics
ENGL 211-3 Survey of English Literature I
ENGL 212-3 Survey of English Literature II
POLS 100-3 Contemporary Political Issues
POLS 200-3 Canadian Government and Politics
POLS 202-3 Canada in Comparative Perspective
POLS 230-3 International Relations
POLS 270-3 Political Philosophy: Antiquity to Early Modernity

One of the following:

ENGL 100-3 Introduction to Literary Structures
ENGL 103-3 Introduction to Fiction
ENGL 104-3 Introduction to Film

Two of the following:

ENGL 210-3 Women and Literature: A Survey
ENGL 280-3 Shakespeare
ENGL 281-3 Introduction to Renaissance Literature
ENGL 282-3 Introduction to Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 283-3 Introduction to Romantic Literature
ENGL 284-3 Introduction to Victorian Literature
ENGL 285-3 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.

POLS 303-3 Democracy and Democratization
POLS 370-3 Political Philosophy: Early Modernity to Post-Modernity

Two of the following:

ENGL 320-3 Indigenous Literature in Canada and the United States
ENGL 331-3 Genres in Canadian Literature
ENGL 340-3 Postcolonial Literature
ENGL 350-3 Comparative Literature
ENGL 381-3 Renaissance Literature
ENGL 382-3 Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 383-3 Romantic Literature
ENGL 384-3 Victorian Literature
ENGL 386-3 19th Century Literature in the United States
ENGL 410-3 Contemporary Women's Literature
ENGL 420-3 Special Topics in Indigenous Literature
ENGL 430-3 Special Topics in Canadian Literature
ENGL 440-(3-6) Special Topics in Postcolonial Literature
ENGL 450-(3-6) Special Topics in Comparative Literature

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:

WMST 306-3 Indigenous Women: Perspectives
WMST 311-3 History of Feminism
WMST 411-3 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:

ENGL 200-3 Gender and Literary Theory
ENGL 300-3 Theory
ENGL 400-3 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

ENGL 211-3 Survey of English Literature I
ENGL 212-3 Survey of English Literature II
WMST 100-3 Introduction to Women's Studies

One of the following:

ENGL 200-3/WMST 220-3 Gender and Literary Theory
ENGL 210-3/WMST 221-3 Women and Literature: A Survey

One of the following:

ENGL 100-3 Introduction to Literary Structures 
ENGL 103-3 Introduction to Fiction 
ENGL 104-3 Introduction to Film 

Six credit hours of Women's Studies at the 100 or 200 level. 

Upper-Division Requirement

ENGL 410-3 Contemporary Women's Literature
     or WMST 420-3 Contemporary Women's Literature
HIST 311-3 History of Feminism
     or WMST 311-3 History of Feminism
WMST 302-3 Women and the Contemporary World
WMST 307-3 Qualitative Research Methods 

One of the following:

ENGL 300-3 Theory
ENGL 400-3 Contemporary Theory

One of the following:

ENGL 320-3 Indigenous Literature in Canada and the United States
ENGL 331-3 Genres in Canadian Literature
ENGL 350-3 Comparative Literature
ENGL 410-3 Contemporary Women's Literature
ENGL 420-3 Special Topics in Indigenous Literature
ENGL 430-3 Special Topics in Canadian Literature
ENGL 440-(3-6) Special Topics in Postcolonial Literature
ENGL 450-(3-6) Special Topics in Comparative Literature

Additional Requirements

Two of the following:

ENGL 280-3 Shakespeare
ENGL 281-3 Introduction to Renaissance Literature
ENGL 282-3 Introduction to Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 283-3 Introduction to Romantic Literature
ENGL 284-3 Introduction to Victorian Literature
ENGL 285-3 Modern British Literature
ENGL 381-3 Renaissance Literature
ENGL 382-3 Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENGL 383-3 Romantic Literature
ENGL 384-3 Victorian Literature

Nine credit hours of English courses at the 300 or 400 level.

At least 15 credit hours selected from the following:

ANTH 401-3 Anthropological Perspectives on Inequality
ANTH 406-3 Feminist Perspectives in Anthropology
ECON 301-3 Women and the Economy
ENVS 309-3 Gender, Environment and Sustainability
FNST 407-3 First Nations Perspectives on Race, Class, Gender and Power 
HIST 309-3 Women in Canada
HIST 453 (3-6) Topics in the History of Gender
HIST 454 (3-6) Topics in Women's History
INTS 308-3 Gender and International Studies
NURS 412-3 Women and Health
POLS 403-3 Social and Health Policy and Administration
POLS 434-3 Resource Communities in Transition
WMST 303-3 Lesbian and Bisexual Lives 
WMST 306-3/FNST 306-3 Indigenous Women: Perspectives
WMST 312-3/HIST 312-3 Introduction to the History of Gender
WMST 411-3 Contemporary Feminist Theories
WMST 413-(3-6) Topics in Aboriginal Women's Studies
WMST 498-(3-6) 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:

ENGL 200-3 Gender and Literary Theory
ENGL 300-3 Theory
ENGL 400-3 Contemporary Theory

Five English courses selected to ensure a minimum of four courses are completed at the 300 or 400 level.


Updated: July 11, 2023