Literary History
Become a historian of the written human experience, studying the evolution of English texts and storytelling from medieval times to modern literature. For English majors considering graduate studies, this specialization provides the foundation to explore a broad spectrum of literary forms and themes – essential expertise for any future scholar, teacher, or author.
Courses:
The carefully-selected courses in this specialization emphasize the evolution of English literature from the medieval period to the mid-20th century. Students who have fulfilled the requirements for a single- or joint-major Honours program in English Literature may graduate with a Specialization in Literary History if they have also successfully completed the following 4.5 credits with a minimum grade of 65% in each:
Medieval literature:
1.0 ENGL credit from:
- ENGL 2100Y: Perilous Realms: Medieval and Renaissance Literature
- ENGL 2121H: Perilous Realms I: Introduction to Medieval Literature
- ENGL 3121H: Love, Honour, and the Pursuit of Happiness: Medieval Romance
- ENGL 3123H: Angels and Demons, Shepherds and Shrews: Medieval Drama
- ENGL 3125H: Desire, Sex, and Death on the Road to Canterbury: Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales
- ENGL 4120Y/4121H: Advanced Studies in Middle English Language and Literature
Renaissance literature:
1.0 ENGL credit from:
- ENGL 2123H: Perilous Realms II: Introduction to Renaissance Literature
- ENGL 2150Y/2151H: Studies in Shakespeare
- ENGL 2152Y/2153H: Reading Shakespeare for the Classroom and Stage
- ENGL 3153H,: The Renaissance Theatre
- ENGL 3155H: Sex and Politics in Elizabethan Literature
- ENGL 4150Y/4151H: Advanced Studies in Shakespeare
- ENGL 4152Y/4153H: Advanced Studies in Renaissance Literature
Seventeenth and eighteenth century literature:
1.0 ENGL credit from:
- ENGL 3200Y/3201H: Milton and His Age
- ENGL-MDST 3203H: Theatre and Journalism During the Restoration and Eighteenth Century
- ENGL 3205H: Modern Laughter
- ENGL 3207H: The Age of Sensibility
- ENGL 3209H: The First Media Revolution
- ENGL 3250Y/3251H: The Romantics
- ENGL 4250Y/4251H: Advanced Studies in the Romantics
Nineteenth century literature:
1.0 ENGL credit from:
- ENGL 3300Y/3301H: American Literature: Back to the Future, Forward to the Past
- ENGL 3400Y/3401H: Darwin and His Publics
- ENGL 3403H: Those Wild Victorians
- ENGL 3808Y: The Novel
- ENGL 4400Y/4401H: Advanced Studies in Victorian Literature
- ENGL-CAST 4503H: Advanced Studies in Early Canadian Writing
Modern literature:
0.5 ENGL credit from:
- ENGL 2802Y/2803H: Modern Poetry
- ENGL 2804Y/2805H: Modern Drama
- ENGL 2806Y/2807H: Modern Fiction
- ENGL 3412Y/3413H: Twentieth-Century British Literature: Literary Movements and Genres—Modernism and Its Aftermath
- ENGL 4450Y/4451H: Postcolonial Texts
- ENGL 4802Y/4803H: Advanced Studies in Modern Poetry
- ENGL 4804Y/4805H: Advanced Studies in Modern Drama
- ENGL 4806Y/4807H: Advanced Studies in Modern Fiction
Degrees Offered:
- B.A.
- B.A. (Honours)
Locations:
- Durham GTA
- Peterborough
Resume Boosters:
- Gain a thorough background in English literary history, giving you important context for grad studies
- Explore a range of hands-on learning experiences including dramatic performance, music, creative writing, peer-assessed active learning or an independent reading project.
- Participate in seminar and workshop classes that provide opportunities for discussion, critical thinking, and interaction with leading scholars.
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Requirements:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program specific prerequisites
Program Requirements:
- A minimum 70% overall final average
- ENG 4U with a minimum of 60%
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