English - Literature Major Concentration (B.A.) (36 credits)
Offered by: English (Faculty of Arts)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Arts and Science
Program credit weight: 36
Program Description
The Literature option provides a grounding in the basic texts and methods of the discipline as well as wide acquaintance with substantial areas of the field.
For the most up-to-date information on Department requirements and detailed course descriptions, please see the English Department Handbook at http://www.mcgill.ca/english/.
Degree Requirements — B.A. students
To be eligible for a B.A. degree, a student must fulfil all Faculty and program requirements as indicated in Degree Requirements for the Faculty of Arts.
We recommend that students consult an Arts OASIS advisor for degree planning.
Degree Requirements — B.A. & Sc. students
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.A. & Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
Required Courses (9 credits)
These courses should be taken in the first two terms of the program.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 202 | Departmental Survey of English Literature 1. | 3 |
Departmental Survey of English Literature 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A survey of English literature before 1750 for students registered in English programs. | ||
| ENGL 203 | Departmental Survey of English Literature 2. | 3 |
Departmental Survey of English Literature 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of English literature after 1750 for students registered in English programs. | ||
| ENGL 311 | Poetics. | 3 |
Poetics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Discussion and application of basic critical tools for analysis of literature. Study of such features of poetry and prose fiction as prosody, diction, voice, tone, imagery, figurative language, point of view, narrative form, and character. | ||
Complementary Courses (27 credits)
27 credits selected as described below.
Note on Topics Courses: The Department of English offers courses which change topic from academic year to academic year. Depending on the topic in a specific year, these courses may count toward different program requirements. At the time they register for a topics course, students should confirm with their program adviser the program requirement it fulfils for that academic year.
Canadian Literature
3 credits from a list of Canadian Literature courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 228 | Canadian Literature 1. | 3 |
Canadian Literature 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A chronological survey of Canadian literature, Part 1. | ||
| ENGL 229 | Canadian Literature 2. | 3 |
Canadian Literature 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A chronological survey of Canadian literature, Part 2. A continuation of ENGL 228. | ||
| ENGL 327 | Canadian Prose Fiction 1. | 3 |
Canadian Prose Fiction 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of Canadian prose fiction in English, from 19th century historical romance and realist fiction to the emergence of the modernist novel in the decades following the Second World War. | ||
| ENGL 328 | Development of Canadian Poetry 1. | 3 |
Development of Canadian Poetry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of Canadian poetry in English from the 18th century to the end of the Second World War. | ||
| ENGL 333 | Development of Canadian Poetry 2. | 3 |
Development of Canadian Poetry 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of Canadian poetry in English from the end of the Second World War to the present. | ||
| ENGL 409 | Studies in a Canadian Author. | 3 |
Studies in a Canadian Author. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced study of a significant author in Canadian literature. | ||
| ENGL 410 | Theme or Movement Canadian Literature. | 3 |
Theme or Movement Canadian Literature. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Advanced study of a significant theme or movement in Canadian Literature. | ||
| ENGL 411 | Studies in Canadian Fiction. | 3 |
Studies in Canadian Fiction. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced study of works of Canadian fiction. | ||
Theory, Criticism and Methods
3 credits of Theory, Criticism, and Methods courses from the complementary list or with the permission of your department adviser.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 317 | Theory of English Studies 1. | 3 |
Theory of English Studies 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Philosophical approaches. | ||
| ENGL 318 | Theory of English Studies 2. | 3 |
Theory of English Studies 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Socio-Historical approaches. | ||
| ENGL 319 | Theory of English Studies 3. | 3 |
Theory of English Studies 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Cultural theory now. | ||
| ENGL 322 | Theories of the Text. | 3 |
Theories of the Text. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A course focusing on textuality (as opposed to, say, intentionality and interpretation) and on how specific effects are made - how texts work and produce meaning, including rhetoric and form. | ||
| ENGL 346 | Materiality and Sociology of Text. | 3 |
Materiality and Sociology of Text. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Writing, printing, distribution, marketing, and placement within canon-making institutions; the influence of material forms of production and transmission on the creation and reception of literature, film, and theatre. | ||
| ENGL 352 | Theories of Difference. | 3 |
Theories of Difference. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to a selection of theories that have influenced thinking about difference across the humanities and social sciences, including gender, sexuality, race, class and hierarchical structures, language, religion, ethnicity, and personal identity. | ||
Areas of English Literature
6 credits, 3 credits each from two of the following areas: Backgrounds of English Literature, Old English, Medieval, Renaissance:
Backgrounds of English Literature
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 347 | Great Writings of Europe 1. | 3 |
Great Writings of Europe 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of selected texts that significantly enhance understanding of English literature. | ||
| ENGL 348 | Great Writings of Europe 2. | 3 |
Great Writings of Europe 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of selected texts that significantly enhance understanding of English literature. | ||
| ENGL 349 | English Literature and Folklore 1. | 3 |
English Literature and Folklore 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of representative texts from Beowulf to the late Renaissance period in relation to their background in folk tradition. A focus on the origin and development of folklore motifs. | ||
Old English
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 342 | Introduction to Old English. | 3 |
Introduction to Old English. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to grammar and basic vocabulary in Old English. | ||
| ENGL 349 | English Literature and Folklore 1. | 3 |
English Literature and Folklore 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of representative texts from Beowulf to the late Renaissance period in relation to their background in folk tradition. A focus on the origin and development of folklore motifs. | ||
| ENGL 452 | Studies in Old English. | 3 |
Studies in Old English. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of an aspect of Old English Literature which presupposes a grounding in the language. | ||
Medieval
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 337 | Theme or Genre in Medieval Literature. | 3 |
Theme or Genre in Medieval Literature. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of a particular theme or genre of significance to the development of medieval literature. | ||
| ENGL 349 | English Literature and Folklore 1. | 3 |
English Literature and Folklore 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of representative texts from Beowulf to the late Renaissance period in relation to their background in folk tradition. A focus on the origin and development of folklore motifs. | ||
| ENGL 356 | Middle English. | 3 |
Middle English. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of works in Middle English. | ||
| ENGL 357 | Chaucer . | 3 |
Chaucer . Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the works of Chaucer. | ||
| ENGL 456 | Middle English. | 3 |
Middle English. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of works in Middle English. | ||
Renaissance
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 305 | Renaissance English Literature 1. | 3 |
Renaissance English Literature 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of major non-dramatic works of the earlier Renaissance in England. | ||
| ENGL 307 | Renaissance English Literature 2. | 3 |
Renaissance English Literature 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of major non-dramatic works of the later Renaissance in England. | ||
| ENGL 308 | English Renaissance Drama 1. | 3 |
English Renaissance Drama 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of some major authors and issues in English Renaissance Drama. | ||
| ENGL 315 | Shakespeare. | 3 |
Shakespeare. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of the major works of Shakespeare. | ||
| ENGL 316 | Milton. | 3 |
| ENGL 349 | English Literature and Folklore 1. | 3 |
English Literature and Folklore 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of representative texts from Beowulf to the late Renaissance period in relation to their background in folk tradition. A focus on the origin and development of folklore motifs. | ||
| ENGL 400 | Earlier English Renaissance. | 3 |
Earlier English Renaissance. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of earlier English Renaissance works. | ||
| ENGL 401 | Studies in the 17th Century. | 3 |
Studies in the 17th Century. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of 17th century works. | ||
| ENGL 416 | Studies in Shakespeare. | 3 |
Studies in Shakespeare. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the works of Shakespeare. | ||
Areas of English Literature
6 credits, 3 credits each from two of the following areas: Restoration, 18th Century, Romantic, Victorian, 19th Century American:
Restoration
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 302 | Restoration and 18th C. English Literature 1. | 3 |
Restoration and 18th C. English Literature 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the major writers of the late 17th and earlier 18th centuries. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
18 Century
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 301 | Earlier 18th Century Novel. | 3 |
Earlier 18th Century Novel. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of the English novel to c. 1750. | ||
| ENGL 302 | Restoration and 18th C. English Literature 1. | 3 |
Restoration and 18th C. English Literature 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the major writers of the late 17th and earlier 18th centuries. | ||
| ENGL 304 | Later Eighteenth Century Novel. | 3 |
Later Eighteenth Century Novel. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of later 18th century novels. | ||
| ENGL 403 | Studies in the 18th Century. | 3 |
Studies in the 18th Century. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of 18th century works. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
Romantic
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 331 | Literature Romantic Period 1. | 3 |
Literature Romantic Period 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of representative literature of the earlier Romantic period. | ||
| ENGL 332 | Literature Romantic Period 2. | 3 |
Literature Romantic Period 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A survey of representative literature of the later Romantic period. | ||
| ENGL 405 | Studies in 19th Century Literature 2. | 3 |
Studies in 19th Century Literature 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of 19th century works. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
Victorian
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 329 | English Novel: 19th Century 1. | 3 |
English Novel: 19th Century 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of representative novelists of the earlier 19th century. | ||
| ENGL 330 | English Novel: 19th Century 2. | 3 |
English Novel: 19th Century 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of representative novelists of the later 19th century. | ||
| ENGL 334 | Victorian Poetry. | 3 |
Victorian Poetry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the major Victorian poets. | ||
| ENGL 404 | Studies in 19th Century Literature 1. | 3 |
Studies in 19th Century Literature 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of 19th century works. | ||
| ENGL 405 | Studies in 19th Century Literature 2. | 3 |
Studies in 19th Century Literature 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of 19th century works. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
19th Century American
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 326 | 19th Century American Prose. | 3 |
19th Century American Prose. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of some of the major prose writers of the 19th Century. | ||
| ENGL 422 | Studies in 19th Century American Literature. | 3 |
Studies in 19th Century American Literature. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of literary works of the 19th century. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
Areas of English Literature
3 credits from one of the following areas: Early 20th Century, Modernist, Post-modernist, Contemporary:
Early 20th Century
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 361 | Poetry of the 20th Century 1. | 3 |
Poetry of the 20th Century 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A critical survey of major British and North American poetry, c. 1890 - 1940. | ||
| ENGL 414 | Studies in 20th Century Literature 1. | 3 |
Studies in 20th Century Literature 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of works of literature of the 20th century. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
Modernist
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 335 | The 20th Century Novel 1. | 3 |
The 20th Century Novel 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The Novel from the last years of the 19th century to World War II. | ||
| ENGL 361 | Poetry of the 20th Century 1. | 3 |
Poetry of the 20th Century 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A critical survey of major British and North American poetry, c. 1890 - 1940. | ||
| ENGL 414 | Studies in 20th Century Literature 1. | 3 |
Studies in 20th Century Literature 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of works of literature of the 20th century. | ||
| ENGL 418 | A Major Modernist Writer. | 3 |
A Major Modernist Writer. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Intensive study of a writer important for Modernism, such as James Joyce, T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
Post-modernist
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 320 | Postcolonial Literature. | 3 |
Postcolonial Literature. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of postcolonial literature. | ||
| ENGL 443 | Contemporary Women's Fiction. | 3 |
Contemporary Women's Fiction. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of a theme or author in contemporary women's fiction. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
Contemporary
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 320 | Postcolonial Literature. | 3 |
Postcolonial Literature. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of postcolonial literature. | ||
| ENGL 333 | Development of Canadian Poetry 2. | 3 |
Development of Canadian Poetry 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of Canadian poetry in English from the end of the Second World War to the present. | ||
| ENGL 336 | The 20th Century Novel 2. | 3 |
The 20th Century Novel 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of 20th century novels. | ||
| ENGL 407 | The 20th Century. | 3 |
The 20th Century. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of 20th century works. | ||
| ENGL 408 | The 20th Century. | 3 |
The 20th Century. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of 20th century works. | ||
| ENGL 419 | Studies in 20th Century Literature. | 3 |
Studies in 20th Century Literature. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of works of literature of the 20th century. | ||
| ENGL 443 | Contemporary Women's Fiction. | 3 |
Contemporary Women's Fiction. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of a theme or author in contemporary women's fiction. | ||
| ENGL 444 | Studies in Women Authors. | 3 |
Studies in Women Authors. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Study of a particular topic related to literary, dramatic, or cultural productions by female-identified authors. | ||
Major Author
3 credits on a Major Author must be included in the 27 complementary course credits.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 315 | Shakespeare. | 3 |
Shakespeare. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A study of the major works of Shakespeare. | ||
| ENGL 316 | Milton. | 3 |
| ENGL 357 | Chaucer . | 3 |
Chaucer . Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the works of Chaucer. | ||
| ENGL 409 | Studies in a Canadian Author. | 3 |
Studies in a Canadian Author. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced study of a significant author in Canadian literature. | ||
| ENGL 416 | Studies in Shakespeare. | 3 |
Studies in Shakespeare. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the works of Shakespeare. | ||
| ENGL 417 | A Major English Poet. | 3 |
A Major English Poet. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the works of a mahor English poet. | ||
| ENGL 418 | A Major Modernist Writer. | 3 |
A Major Modernist Writer. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Intensive study of a writer important for Modernism, such as James Joyce, T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein. | ||
Additional Courses
6 additional credits from ENGL offerings, in the Literature, Cultural Studies, and Drama and Theatre Options. Other courses require approval by a departmental adviser.