Professor David Wilson and his ENGL 1170 students in a public reading of The Hound of the Baskervilles
If you are considering a degree in English or if you are looking to sharpen your critical faculties, then choose ENGL 1155 or ENGL 1170 or 1171. These are introductions to English studies at the university level, but they take different approaches. Read the descriptions that follow carefully.
WRIT 1120 is a course in writing theory and practice. It is the foundation of the Minor in Writing, but it is valuable for any student. Those who enjoy writing and its challenges will find more enjoyable challenges and will acquire a deeper understanding of how writing is accomplished, from first glimmering of idea to final edit. English students (in the honours, advanced major, major, combined major, concentration or minor programs) in literature can take this course as an elective.
If this is your first experience of English study at university, please note that it will differ from high school. Most dramatically, students sometimes report a drop in their English grades. You will need a GPA of 2.0 in English to become and to remain a major. The Calendar has a full description of the meaning of the various grades used in the university, and your English professors will most likely distribute in class the English Department Marking Scheme handout which describes how the department applies the university's grading system. Copies of the handout are available from the department secretary, Tracy McDonald, in Seton 533.
Please note that when registering on WebAdvisor, you will have to search under "Writing" for WRIT courses and "English" for ENGL courses.
WRIT 1120: Writing Theory and Practice (half unit)
In this course, you will approach writing from a rhetorical perspective: that is, writing is not just a matter of following a series of rules or applying a set of templates. Instead, writing involves making choices that are appropriate to the situation. Assignments will include, but also extend beyond, traditional academic writing. You will get practice in drafting and substantial revision as well as editing and polishing. Issues of academic integrity and accurate citation will be addressed in the process of developing research-informed papers.
This course is the foundation of the Writing Minor; it is recommended that you take 1120 before you attempt any other WRIT or WRIT/ENGL courses.
You will be challenged and assisted to develop new strengths in this course, whether or not you consider yourself to be a "good writer" already. It is not a remedial, but a university-level, course. To help you and your professor understand the challenges ahead, you will be asked to write in the very first class. That is the purpose of the Calendar note which reads: "A writing exercise will be assigned in the first class. Students whose performance is judged inadequate will be strongly recommended to withdraw."
Students on the waitlist must attend classes until a decision on their status can be made.
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ENGL 1155: Introduction to Literature: Gender and Form(Fall/Winter -- one unit)
This course will provide an introduction to the critical study of the major forms of fiction, poetry, and drama, using examples from the time of Chaucer to the present day. Readings will include a balance of female and male writers, and a special focus for discussion will be representations of gender.
Students may not take both English 1155 and English 1170/1171 for credit.
This course is also listed as a women-emphasis course in the Women's Studies Department.
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ENGL 1170: Introduction to English Literature: Reading Literature(Fall or Winter term -- half unit)
This course is an introduction to the terms and methods of literary analysis. Through reading and thinking about literary works, students will acquire the skills needed to write about them effectively.
Students may not take both English 1155 and English 1170/1171 for credit.
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ENGL 1171: Introduction to English Literature: Historical Perspectives(Winter term -- half unit)
This course is an examination of the problems involved in interpreting literature of ages other than our own. By identifying the preconceptions of historical periods from the Middle Ages to the present moment, students assess how these preconceptions affect interpretation.
Students may not take both English 1155 and English 1170/1171 for credit.
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