Just as story-telling is fundamental to what it means to be human, English literary and cultural study is of fundamental relevance to our society. In this program, students learn to recognize the important roles that literature and culture play in enhancing the quality of their lives, their careers, and the cultural texts they produce and consume on a daily basis.  Our unique curriculum presents the study of English from transnational and transmedia perspectives informed by an awareness of the cross-migration of literatures and theories. Combining theoretical, historical, and critical knowledge with practical applications, our curriculum helps students engage with the widest possible range of verbal, visual, and digital texts of their world's literary and cultural traditions.  The core goals of the program are to:

• Develop the practices most needed in our changing global environments – curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication;
• Develop cultural literacy and cultivate an open, worldly perspective that prepares students to engage with both their local and global communities;
• Develop sophisticated oral and written communication skills and research methods, and an understanding of how to put knowledge into action in meaningful ways.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

There has never been a better time to use an English degree to create a career.  Employers are looking for creative thinkers with effective communication skills and a passion for literature and culture.  An English graduate possesses the cultural knowledge, analytical thinking, research capacity, and effective oral and written communication skills required in today's globalized knowledge economy.

The classic career path leads to post-graduate studies and career opportunities in education, academic research and teaching, law, library and information science, publishing, editing, and writing.  Less traditional career paths include work in cultural industries, software companies, entertainment, business, and government.  Career opportunities are as varied as the creative imaginations and practical applications of the graduates themselves.

CURRICULUM INFORMATION

Through a unique set of courses, students gain skills in analytical thinking, close reading, research methods, and theoretical approaches, while building knowledge in the program's core areas: a) Literatures and Cultures from the 16th - 21st Centuries; b) Diversity in Identities, Communities, and Nations; and c) Genre and Media.  Students also have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in project-based courses and intensive capstone seminars.  The curriculum builds on a foundational year of interdisciplinary study in the humanities and social sciences, followed by three years of specialized study in English.  Students take five required English courses and select 15 English electives.

Semesters One and Two

In the first year, which is shared with the BA programs in Criminology, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology, students gain a broad, interdisciplinary base of knowledge, skills, and methodologies.  They also establish the basis for study in the English discipline in two required courses.  These examine fictional and non-fictional narrative, respectively, from the oral tradition to the digital age and introduce students to theoretical approaches, analytical writing, and research methods in literary studies.

Semesters Three through Six

Two required courses in second and third year build a strong foundation in literary and cultural theory and in advanced English research methods.  In these years, students also begin to design their program of study by selecting from English elective groups designed to provide disciplinary breadth. To ensure a strong experiential learning component, students take a hands-on project seminar, selecting from a range of applied opportunities.  Students select their remaining elective courses from three areas of disciplinary learning: a) Literatures and Cultures from the 16th to 21st Centuries; b) Diversity in Identities, Communities and Nations; and c) Genre and Media.

Semesters Seven and Eight

In their final year of study, students satisfy any remaining breadth requirements and take the required English capstone seminar; they also have the opportunity to select at least one other capstone elective.  These seminar-based courses are designed to develop depth in the discipline using a range of theoretical frameworks, research methodologies, and experiential learning opportunities.

Transferability Guidelines

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in any of Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology or Sociology may transfer from their current program and plan to any one of the other eight plans for the Fall term of their second year of studies. Applications are available through the Program Office and must be submitted by February 2nd. Transfer applications are considered on a competitive basis subject to program capacity, and therefore, program choice cannot be guaranteed.

In order to transfer to English from any of Criminology, Environmental and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology, students must: (1) have a CLEAR Academic Standing at the end of the Winter term of their second semester of studies; and (2) have successfully completed ENG 108. It is strongly recommended that students complete both ENG 108 and ENG 208 in first year.

Liberal Studies

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson with exceptions.  Please refer to the Minors Policy section of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and restrictions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible restrictions. Please refer to the Curriculum Advising website at www.ryerson.ca/curriculumadvising for complete details.