Major / Minor
Major in English
The Department offers in its general programme a wide range of courses in British, Canadian, American, and Postcolonial literature. It also offers courses in creative and expository writing, film, drama production, and language and linguistics, some of which are basic parts of special programmes in Drama, in Creative Writing, and in English Language and the Linguistics of English.
Admission to a Major Programme
All Major students must complete ENGL 1000 (or equivalent) and ENGL 2901 and 2902, with a grade of C or better. A student who does not take ENGL 2901 and 2902 in the second year of the programme must take the missing course(s) in the third year. A student with a high standing in introductory courses and a particular interest in English should consider entering the Honours programme (see Honours in English). The Major programme is designed to give students interested in English the opportunity of pursuing their studies with a good deal of freedom in the choice of courses.
Major in English (Single/Double Major)
Single Major students must, as part of their final 60 ch, complete a minimum of 30 ch of advanced-level (3rd- and 4th-year) English courses, including 6 ch in literature in English before 1660 and 6 ch in literature in English, 1660-1900. Courses meeting the pre-1660 requirement include ENGL 3003, 3004, 3036, 3040, 3260, 3263, 3283, and 3284. Courses meeting the 1660-1900 literature requirement include ENGL 3343, 3385, 3400, 3410, 3443, 3703, and 3743. Other courses in these areas may be offered from time to time. For a Double Major the requirements are the same, except that the advanced-level minimum is 24 ch. No course may be counted toward the fulfilment of the minimum Major requirement unless it is passed with a grade of C or better.
In order to give a recognizable coherence to the regular Major programme, some regulations are in effect regarding the minimum 30 ch (Single Major) or 24 ch (Double Major) of advanced-level courses. "No more than a total of 9 ch of upper-level courses from the following categories may be included in these minimum requirements: Film Studies, Writing (Creative, Expository, or Screen), and Drama Production." Any advanced-level English course may be chosen in addition to the specified minimum.
Students transferring credits from another university should note that at least half the advanced-level credits counted toward a UNB English Major must be from courses taken at the University of New Brunswick. Please note: all courses for the Major must be free electives (that is, electives which are not used to meet Faculty requirements or those of another programme) within a student’s programme.
Admission of English Majors to Honours seminars will depend on the numbers enrolled and the standing in English of the student applying. Students admitted to Honours seminars should have demonstrated an ability to work at the Honours level.
All students entering the Major programme should consult with the appropriate Co-Director of Majors and Honours.
Minor in English
The Minor in English consists of at least 24 ch in ENGL completed with a grade of C or better, at least 12 ch of these from advanced-level (third- and fourth-year) courses. The courses for the Minor must be approved by one of the Co-Directors of Majors and Honours, and must form a "coherent set or sequence of courses" as called for by the general university regulations for the Minor. Students should note that any courses compulsory for their programmes may not be counted toward a Minor.
Students transferring credits from another university should note that at least half the credits counted towards a UNB Minor in English must be from courses taken at the University of New Brunswick.
1) Students pursuing an ENGL Minor, especially those registered in the BEd program, are strongly advised to take ENGL 1000 (or a combination of courses such as ENGL 1144 or ENGL 1145 and ENGL 2263, ENGL 2603, ENGL 2608, ENGL 2703, or ENGL 2903) and ENGL 2901 and ENGL 2902 as a lower-level foundation.
2) For the required 12ch of upper-level courses, combinations such as the following are recommended:
a) A "historical cluster" providing familiarity with literature in English from a broad range of periods and from a wide variety of national origins, including:
i) literature in English written before 1660 (e.g., ENGL 3003, ENGL 3004, ENGL 3040, ENGL 3260, ENGL 3263, ENGL 3283, or ENGL 3284)
ii) literature in English written between 1660 and 1900 (e.g., ENGL 3343, ENGL 3385, ENGL 3400, ENGL 3410, ENGL 3443, ENGL 3703, or ENGL 3743)
iii) post-1900 literature written in Britain, North America, and the Post-Colonial World (e.g., ENGL 3535, ENGL 3540, ENGL 3610, ENGL 3640, ENGL 3704, ENGL 3744, or ENGL 3815).
iv) other courses offered on an occasional basis are also acceptable.
b) Students may also choose other combinations suited to their specific interests. Such combinations may consist of a "genre cluster" (e.g., focusing on poetry, fiction, film/drama, or creative writing) or a "period cluster" (focusing on a specific literary and historical period), a "national cluster" (focusing on literature in English, written in a particular nation and region), or a "social issues cluster" (e.g., focusing on issues such as class, gender, or race). Any such cluster must be approved by the appropriate Co-Director of Majors and Honours.
