English Literature (B.A.)
Studying English Literature at Trent will prepare you for any career that demands creativity, critical analysis, adaptability, flexible problem-solving, and strong communication and writing skills. Explore history and culture through language, with literature courses spanning the medieval centuries to the global world of today. Class formats encourage discussion, critical thinking, and one-on-one interaction with leading, engaged scholars.
For more information about the English Literature program, please contact:
Professor Joel Baetz or Professor Rita Bode
For information about the Durham Campus or Admission inquires, please contact:
Durham Campus Enrolment Advisor, Tawny Flude
tawnyflude@trentu.ca 905-435-5102 ext 5003
Durham Campus Rm 101.2
Studying English Literature at TrentU Durham? Your typical first year will look like this:
Two of:
- ENGL 1001H - Truth, Lies, and Storytelling;
- ENGL 1003H - Revolution!
- ENGL 1005H - Love and Hate
- ENGL 2001H (optional) - Critical Practice
and 3.5 Elective Credits
Interested in pursuing a joint-major with English Literature? You would be required to take the necessary introductory courses during your first year of study as well.
First Year English Literature Course Descriptions
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ENGL 1001H: Truth, Lies, and Storytelling - When we tell stories, whether in song, poetry, drama, film or prose, are we telling lies? How do literary fictions in any genre engage, reflect, distort, or heighten the truth? Can words get in the way of the truth? These questions will provide entrances into the texts in this course.
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ENGL 1003H: Revolution! - Revolution is variously defined as a) a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving, b) the overthrow of a government by those who are governed, and c) rotation: a single complete turn. This course looks at how authors create and respond to the revolutions that turn our world upside down and then, sometimes, back around again.
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ENGL 1005H: Love and Hate - The subject of a million popular songs and poems, all great films, and all of Shakespeare's tragedies, love and hate still defeat us. This course looks at how love and hate are represented in poetry, popular song, drama and fiction and asks, if "love alters not," why is it that "love will tear us apart"?
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ENGL 2001H: Critical Practice - An introduction to critical practice and to the assumptions underlying a wide range of approaches to literature. Explores British, American, Canadian, and postcolonial works, and draws on parallels between literary and non-literary language and between literature and other forms of expression. Emphasis will be placed on learning through writing.
Career Paths:
- Broadcaster
- Journalist
- Librarian
- Public Relations Specialist
- Teacher
- Writer
- Translator
- Archivist
- Editor
- Communications Strategist
- Arts Critic
- Researcher
- Content Manager
- Marketing Specialist
- Publicist
- Lawyer