A seminar in the reading and writing of literary nonfiction and in the development of a critical appreciation of its various forms. The course focuses on life writing in terms of its literary forms, as the authors’ responses to their culture, and as texts within which identity is shaped and altered by the intentional acts of their writers. Chosen texts demonstrate the art of life writing, as well as other paradigms for its interpretation and its literary and cultural influence.

A survey of the major interpretive approaches to literature in contemporary theory and practice, considering the social and intellectual context out of which each approach arises.

A study of works written in English by writers from postcolonial nations, focussing on issues related to postcolonialism and literature.

A study of the poetry and nonfiction prose of British writers during the Victorian era, situating these works in their historical and social contexts.

A study of the literary works of the major writers of the eighteenth century.

A study of selected works written by women in seventeenth-century Britain and America, situated in their cultural contexts.

A study of selected works of Renaissance poetry and prose (excluding those by Shakespeare and Milton), situated in their cultural contexts.

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.

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.

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.