English

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English.

Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in Grade 12 U English.
3. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Combining theoretical, historical, and critical knowledge with opportunities for experiential learning, the BA English curriculum encourages students to engage deeply in the widest possible range of verbal, visual, material, and digital texts, and to showcase their understanding of how to put knowledge into action in meaningful ways.

Students develop proficiency in critical thinking and an enhanced ability to question, research, argue, understand, and communicate – foundational skills in careers that value problem-solving and communication. Graduate career paths may include education, academic research and teaching, law, library and information science, business, the public service, creative industries, entertainment, and non-governmental organizations. Some graduates move into more specialized careers in publishing and editing. Graduates may also continue their studies at a graduate level.

The curriculum builds on a foundational year of interdisciplinary study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, followed by three years of more specialized study in English. Students take a combination of 8 required English courses and 12 English elective courses. A mandatory practicum elective course is taken in the second year. Students must also take two pre-20th century elective courses to ensure disciplinary breadth. The core goals of the program are to graduate students who:

• have mastered the ability to critically analyze oral, written, and other forms of texts;
• will appreciate the complexities in various academic interpretations, and will be able to think critically about the normative assumptions governing both particular interpretations and interpretation in general;
• are capable of developing probing research questions, conducting effective research, and persuasively communicating the results of their inquiry in a variety of oral and written modes;
• possess a superior set of “career-ready” research, analytical, and oral and written skills, and know how to apply them to professional situations as well as to graduate study opportunities;
• demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge, including an integrated understanding of the aesthetic, intellectual, and social foundations of literature and culture in a range of genres and media and cultural literacy through a familiarity with the richness and complexity of their literary and cultural heritage; and
• act as responsible academic and community citizens, both locally and globally.  

Semesters One and Two: The first year is a Common Arts Platform which is shared with the BA programs in Criminology, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, Sociology, and Language, Literatures, and Cultures. 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 in fictional and non-fictional narratives. Students also acquire skills and knowledge in two Faculty of Arts foundational courses, Academic Writing and Research, and Critical Thinking, and choose additional electives from a broad range of areas.

Semesters Three through Six: In second year, students take their final foundational Common Arts Platform skills course, Research Design and Qualitative Methods, alongside a more specialized Advanced Research Methods course in English. Students also select an English practicum course. In the third year, students take a course in Literary and Cultural Theory. Students select their pre-20th century English courses and fulfill additional elective requirements, including Liberal Studies electives.

Semesters Seven and Eight: In their final year of study, students satisfy any remaining elective requirements and take the required capstone seminar. Electives may include an independent research paper or an advanced practicum course. These capstone courses are designed to develop depth in the disciplines and sharpen students’ professional competencies.

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Four courses from Table I.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table I or Table III.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table III.

REQUIRED:

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: One course from the following:

PROFESSIONAL: One course from the following:

PROFESSIONAL: Three courses from Table II.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table I, Table III, or Table IV.

REQUIRED:

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: Four courses from Table II.

PROFESSIONAL: One course from the following:

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Two courses from Table III or Table IV.

REQUIRED:

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: Five courses from Table II.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Two courses from Table III or Table IV.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

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