Courses

A study of representative works of twentieth-century American literature and the development of its themes in various historical, political, and socio-cultural contexts.

Literature has been at the centre of the human story from its beginnings as recorded in ancient sacred texts to its current study as cultural narrative with transformative and transcendent possibilities for interpretation and creativity. This course will explore literary themes integral to the pursuit of Christian spirituality, past and present.

A survey of English literary texts reflecting changing conceptions of and attitudes toward nature across time and place. Students will apply ecocritical analytical approaches to literature that explore the relationships among human and non-human beings and the environment.

Examines the ways in which gender is represented in all forms of literature, from poetry and fiction to drama and creative nonfiction. Students will evaluate how literary representations of gender are informed by other social variables, such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religious belief, political affiliation, and cultural background. They will appraise how time and place influence depictions of gender in literature and apply a broad array of contemporary literary theories to their analysis of diverse works of literature.

A study of The Canterbury Tales and selected minor works, which may include The Book of the Duchess, The Parliament of Fowls, and Troilus and Criseyde. The course involves reading Chaucer’s texts in their historical and cultural contexts. The student will also develop a good reading knowledge of Chaucerian Middle English.

A study of the literary writings of several medieval writers in the Christian mystical tradition, situated in their cultural and religious contexts.

All honours students will write a research paper of 20 to 25 pages, supervised by a member of the Department of English and Creative Writing, to be completed in the fourth year of study.

A study of English drama from its liturgical origins to the closing of the theatres in 1642, including medieval mystery cycles and morality plays as well as works by Elizabethan, Jacobean, and Caroline playwrights.

An intensive study of selected works of poetry and prose by John Milton, situated in their cultural contexts. Particular attention is paid to Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained.