Arts Departmental Academic Plans

The Department of English Language and Literature offers a Three-Year General and a Four-Year General degree, an Honours English - Literature degree, an Honours English - Literature and Rhetoric degree, and an Honours English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing degree. Students interested in English will ordinarily be admitted at the beginning of Year Two. Admission will be based on academic performance in at least ten courses in Year One, including at least two 100-level English courses (See Note 1). Application for admission to English is usually made at the time of Class Enrolment for Year Two. Criteria for admission to Honours English - Literature, Honours English - Literature and Rhetoric and Honours English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing will normally include an overall Year One average of at least 70% and an English average of at least 75%; to Four-Year General English, an overall Year One average of at least 65% and an English average of at least 70%; to Three-Year General English, an overall Year One average of at least 65% and an English average of at least 65%. Because of limitations on resources, however, the student's fulfilment of minimum entrance requirements may not guarantee admission to English academic plans, and higher averages may be required.

Three-Year General English Language and Literature

Continuation in this academic plan requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and cumulative English average of 65%.

Eligibility for graduation with a Three-Year General English degree includes successful fulfilment of the following requirements:

1. Appropriate BA Program-level requirements. See "BA Degree Requirements."
2. English Plan-level requirements:
   • at least six academic course units (12 courses) in English, with a cumulative average of 65%, including:
     • two of ENGL 101A, 101B, 102A, 102B, 103A, 103B, 104, 105A, 105B, 107, 108E, 108F, 108H, 108M, 109, 140R, 141R, 190 (see Note 1)
     • ENGL 200A, 200B (Survey of British Literature – see Notes 2 and 3)
     • ENGL 251A, 251B (Criticism 1 and Criticism 2 – see Note 3)
     • two of ENGL 305A, 305B, 310A, 310B, 310C, 330A, 330B, 350A, 350B, 361, 362, 363, 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E, 306F, 306G, 410A, 410B, 410D, 430A, 430B, 451A, 451B, 460A, 460B, 460C, 463 (Language and Periods of British and Commonwealth Literature)
     • one of ENGL 313, 315, 316, 318, 322, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348 (North American Literature);
     • three other English courses (see Note 1)

Four-Year General English Language and Literature

Continuation in this academic plan requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and cumulative English average of 70%.

Eligibility for graduation with a Four-Year General English degree includes successful fulfilment of the following requirements:

1. Appropriate BA Program-level requirements. See "BA Degree Requirements."
2. English Plan-level requirements:
   • at least eight academic course units (16 courses) in English, with a minimum cumulative average of 70%, including:
     • two of ENGL 101A, 101B, 102A, 102B, 103A, 103B, 104, 105A, 105B, 107, 108E, 108F, 108H, 108M, 109, 140R, 141R, 190 (see Note 1);
     • ENGL 200A, 200B (Survey of British Literature – see Notes 2 and 3)
     • ENGL 251A, 251B (Criticism 1 and Criticism 2 – see Note 3)
     • two of ENGL 305A, 305B, 310A, 310B, 310C, 330A, 330B, 350A, 350B, 361, 362, 363, 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E, 306F, 306G, 410A, 410B, 410D, 430A, 430B, 451A, 451B, 460A, 460B, 460C, 463(Language and Periods of British and Commonwealth Literature)
     • one of ENGL 313, 315, 316, 318, 322, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348 (North American Literature)
     • seven other English courses (see Note 1), four of which must be at the 300- or 400-level

Honours English - Literature

Continuation in this academic plan requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and cumulative English average of 75%.

Eligibility for graduation with an Honours English-Literature degree includes successful fulfilment of the following requirements:

1. Appropriate BA Program-level requirements. See "BA Degree Requirements."
2. English Plan-level requirements:
   • at least ten academic course units (20 courses) in English (usually divided 2-6-6-6 among the four years), with a minimum cumulative average of 75%, including:
     • two of ENGL 101A, 101B, 102A, 102B, 103A, 104, 103B, 105A, 105B, 107, 108E, 108F, 108H, 108M, 109, 140R, 141R, 190 (see Note 1)
     • ENGL 200A, 200B(Survey of British Literature - see Notes 2 and 3)
     • ENGL 251A, 251B (Criticism 1 and Criticism 2 - see Note 3)
     • ENGL 301H
     • two of ENGL 305A, 305B, 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E, 306F, 306G, 309A, 309B, 309C (Language, Rhetoric, and Early Literature)
     • four of ENGL 310A, 310B, 310C, 330A, 330B, 350A, 350B, 361, 362, 363, 410A, 410B, 410D, 484 (British Literature to 1800)
     • two of ENGL 430A, 430B, 451A, 451B, 460A, 460B, 460C, 463, 487 (British and Commonwealth Literature since 1800)
     • two of ENGL 313, 315, 316, 318, 322, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 490 (North American Literature)
     • three other English courses (see Note 1)

Honours English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing

Honours English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing may be taken in either the co-op or regular mode.

Continuation in this academic plan requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and cumulative English average of 75%.

Eligibility for graduation with an Honours English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing degree includes successful fulfilment of the following requirements:

1. Appropriate BA Program-level requirements. See "BA Degree Requirements." [Note: A language other than English must be used to fulfil the Group A(ii) requirement (the Group A(ii) approved alternatives may not be used.)]
2. English Plan-level requirements:
   • at least ten academic course units (20 courses) in English (usually divided 2-6-6-6 among the four years), with a minimum cumulative average of 75%, including:
     • two of ENGL 101A, 101B, 102A, 102B, 103A, 103B, 104, 105A, 105B, 107, 108E, 108F, 108H, 108M, 109, 140R, 141R, 190 (see Note 1)
     • ENGL 200A, 200B(Survey of British Literature - see Notes 2 and 3)
     • ENGL 251A, 251B (Criticism 1 and Criticism 2 - see Note 3)
     • three further Literature courses:
       • two of ENGL 310, 313, 315, 316, 318, 322, 330, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 350, 361, 362, 363, 410, 430, 451, 460, 463, 484, 487, 490 sequences
       • one other ENGL above the 200-level
     • one 200-level Writing course: one of ENGL 210E, 210F, 210H, 210I
     • six Discipline Core courses:
       • ENGL 292, 306A
       • two of ENGL 309A, 309B, 309C
       • two of ENGL 371, 392A, 392B, 406, 408A, 408B, 408C, 409A. (Students who take more than two of 309A, 309B, 309C or 371, 392A, 392B, 406, 408A, 408B, 408C, 409A may count these towards their RPW electives.)
     • four additional RPW courses chosen from among the 305 courses, other 306 courses, other 309 courses, 203, 204, 303, 319, 320, 335, 336, 371, 376R, 377R, 403, 406, 407, 470A, 470B, 470C, 481, 495A/B when devoted to projects in linguistics, rhetoric, professional writing, or communication
   • one course in computer science at the university-level from any faculty.
   Note: Students preparing themselves for teaching careers or graduate studies in English may wish to include further courses in literature as part of their electives.

Honours English - Literature and Rhetoric

Honours English – Literature and Rhetoric may be taken in either the co-op or regular mode.

Continuation in this academic plan requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and cumulative English average of 75%.

Eligibility for graduation with an Honours English – Literature and Rhetoric degree includes successful fulfilment of the following requirements:

1. Appropriate BA Program-level requirements. See "BA Degree Requirements."
2. English Plan-level requirements:
   • at least ten academic course units (20 courses) in English (usually divided 2-6-6-6 among the four years), with a minimum cumulative average of 75 %, including:
     • two of ENGL 101A, 101B, 102A, 102B, 103A, 103B, 104, 105A, 105B, 107, 108E, 108F, 108H, 108M, 109, 140R, 141R, 190 (see Note 1)
     • ENGL 200A, 200B (Survey of British Literature – see Notes 2 and 3)
     • ENGL 251A, 251B (Criticism 1 and Criticism 2 – see Note 3)
     • ENGL 292, 301H
     • two of ENGL 305A, 305B, 310A, 310B, 330A, 330B, 350A, 350B, 361, 362, 363, 410A, 410B, 410D, 484 (British and Commonwealth Literature before 1800)
     • one of ENGL 430A, 430B, 451A, 451B, 460A, 460B, 460C, 463, 487 (British and Commonwealth Literature since 1800)
     • one of ENGL 313, 315, 316, 318, 322, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 490 (North American Literature)
     • two of ENGL 309A, 309B, 309C (Students who take 309A, 309B, and 309C may count one toward their Rhetoric and Theory electives.)
     • one of ENGL 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E, 306F, 306G (Students who take more than one of the 306 courses may count these towards their Rhetoric and Theory electives.)
     • three ENGL courses from among other 306 courses, 309 courses, 319, 320, 365, 366, 371, 376R, 377R, 392A, 392B, 406, 407, 408A, 408B, 408C, 409A, 470A, 470B , 470C, 471, 481, 495 A/B (Rhetoric and Theory electives)
     • two other English courses (see Note 1)

Honours English - Literature, Literature and Rhetoric, or RPW Co-op

The academic requirements of the Co-op mode are essentially those of the regular Waterloo Honours BA in English (either Literature, Literature and Rhetoric, or RPW). Co-op students must complete, by the start of their 3A term, ten academic course units, one unit in a language other than English (Honours English - Literature and Honours English - Literature and Rhetoric students may take approved alternatives to the Arts A(ii) Group requirements to fulfil this requirement; Honours English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing may not) and 0.5 units in computer science at the university-level from any faculty. Students with an interest in doing so are strongly encouraged to take more than one course in computing.

Honours English - Literature, Literature and Rhetoric, or RPW (Arts and Business Co-op and Regular)

Students may combine an Honours English academic plan (either Literature, Literature and Rhetoric, or RPW) with Arts and Business. The requirements in English are identical to the Honours requirements listed above. See also the Arts and Business requirements.

Joint Honours English - Literature

A Joint Honours academic plan with English - Literature may be taken in combination with most Arts disciplines in which an Honours academic plan is offered or with many Honours majors in other Faculties. See the department for the most recent list of approved combinations.

Continuation in this academic plan requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and cumulative English average of 75%.

Eligibility for graduation in Joint Honours English includes successful fulfilment of the requirements listed below.

1. Appropriate Program-level requirements for the Home Faculty, including at least 21 academic course units. If the Home Faculty is Arts, see "BA Degree Requirements."
2. English Plan-level requirements:
   • at least eight academic course units (16 courses) in English, with a minimum cumulative average of 75%, including:
     • two of ENGL 101A, 101B, 102A, 102B, 103A, 103B, 104, 105A, 105B, 107, 108E, 108F, 108H, 108M, 109, 140R, 141R, 190 (see Note 1)
     • ENGL 200A, 200B (Survey of British Literature - see Notes 2 and 3)
     • ENGL 251A, 251B (Criticism 1 and Criticism 2 - see Note 3)
     • ENGL 301H
     • two courses from each of:
       1. ENGL 305A, 305B, 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E, 306F, 306G, 309A, 309B, 309C (Language, Rhetoric, and Early Literature)
       2. ENGL 310A, 310B, 310C, 330A, 330B, 350A, 350B, 361, 362, 363, 410A, 410B, 410D, 484 (British Literature to 1800)
       3. ENGL 430A, 430B, 451A, 451B, 460A, 460B, 460C, 463, 487 (British and Commonwealth Literature since 1800)
       4. ENGL 313, 315, 316, 318, 322, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 490 (North American Literature)
     • one other English course (see Note 1)
3. Plan-level requirements for the second Major

Joint Honours English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing

A Joint Honours academic plan with English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing may be taken in combination with most Arts disciplines in which an Honours academic plan is offered or with many Honours majors in other Faculties. See the department for the most recent list of approved combinations.

Continuation in this academic plan requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and cumulative English average of 75%.

Eligibility for graduation with an English Joint Honours - Rhetoric and Professional Writing degree includes successful fulfilment of the following requirements:

1. Appropriate Program-level requirements for the Home Faculty, including at least 20 academic course units. If the Home Faculty is Arts, see "BA Degree Requirements." [Note: A language other than English must be used to fulfill the Group A(ii) requirement (the Group A(ii) approved alternatives may not be used.)]
2. English Plan-level requirements:
   • at least eight academic course units (16 courses) in English, with a minimum cumulative average of 75%, including:
     • two of ENGL 101A, 101B, 102A, 102B, 103A, 103B, 104, 105A, 105B, 107, 108E, 108F, 108H, 108M, 109, 140R, 141R, 190 (see Note 1)
     • six Literature courses:
       • ENGL 200A/B, 251A/B
       • two of ENGL 310, 313, 315, 316, 318, 322, 330, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 350, 361, 362, 363, 410, 430, 451, 460, 463, 484, 487, 490 sequences
     • one 200-level Writing (one course): one of ENGL 210E, 210F, 210H, 210I
     • five Discipline Core courses:
       • ENGL 292, 306A
       • one of ENGL 309A, 309B, 309C
       • two of ENGL 371, 392A, 392B, 406, 408A, 408B, 408C, 409A. (Students who take more than one of 309A, 309B, 309C or 371, 392A, 392B, 406, 408A, 408B, 408C, may count these towards their RPW electives.)
     • two additional RPW courses chosen from among the 305 courses, other 306 courses, other 309 courses, 203, 204, 303, 319, 320, 335, 336, 371, 376R, 377R, 403, 406, 407, 470A, 470B, 470C, 481, 495A/B when devoted to projects in linguistics, rhetoric, professional writing, or communication
   • one course in computer science at the university-level from any faculty
3. Plan-level requirements for the second Major

Joint Honours English - Literature and Rhetoric

A Joint Honours academic plan with English - Literature and Rhetoric may be taken in combination with most Arts disciplines in which an Honours academic plan is offered or with many Honours majors in other Faculties. See the department for the most recent list of approved combinations.

Continuation in this academic plan requires a cumulative overall average of 60% and cumulative English average of 75%.

Eligibility for graduation with a Joint Honours English – Literature and Rhetoric degree includes successful fulfilment of the following requirements:

1. Appropriate Program-level requirements for the Home Faculty, including at least 20 academic course units. If the Home Faculty is Arts, see "BA Degree Requirements."
2. English Plan-level requirements:
   • at least eight academic course units (16 courses) in English, with a minimum cumulative average of 75%, including:
     • two of ENGL 101A, 101B, 102A, 102B, 103A, 103B, 104, 105A, 105B, 107, 108E, 108F, 108H, 108M, 109, 140R, 141R, 190 (see Note 1)
     • ENGL 200A, 200B (Survey of British Literature – see Notes 2 and 3)
     • ENGL 251A, 251B (Criticism 1 and Criticism 2 – see Note 3)
     • ENGL 292, 301H
     • one of ENGL 305A, 305B, 310A, 310B, 330A, 330B, 350A, 350B, 361, 362, 363, 410A, 410B, 410D, 484 (British and Commonwealth Literature before 1800)
     • one of ENGL 430A, 430B, 451A, 451B, 460A, 460B, 460C, 463, 487 (British and Commonwealth Literature since 1800)
     • one of ENGL 313, 315, 316, 318, 322, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 490 (North American Literature)
     • two of ENGL 309A, 309B, 309C (students who take 309A, 309B, and 309C may count one toward their Rhetoric and Theory electives)
     • one of ENGL 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E, 306F, 306G (students who take more than one of the 306 courses may count these towards their Rhetoric and Theory electives)
     • two ENGL courses from among other 306 courses, 309 courses, 319, 320, 365, 366, 371, 376R, 377R, 392A, 392B, 406, 407, 408A, 408B, 408C, 409A, 470A, 470B, 470C, 471, 481, 495 A/B (Rhetoric and Theory electives)
3. Plan-level requirements for the second Major

English Minor

Students can obtain an English Minor while majoring in an Honours or a Four-Year General academic plan in Arts or an Honours academic plan in another faculty. The English Minor requires successful completion of a minimum of five academic course units (ten courses) in English with a minimum cumulative average of 65%, including:

• ENGL 200A/B (Survey of British Literature)
• ENGL 251A/B (Criticism 1 and Criticism 2)
• two English courses, numbered 300 or above
• four other English courses (see Note 1 below)

1. Students may use only two English courses at the 100-level to fulfil the minimum English requirements. Some English courses do not fulfil the English Major requirements for a degree in English (see English Undergraduate Course Descriptions). Students not in the Rhetoric and Professional Writing or Literature and Rhetoric plans may count towards their English Major ENGL 335 and 336 and a maximum of two of the following courses: ENGL 209, 210E-I, 219, 309E, 376R, 377R. Courses transferred from other institutions without a specific course designation (e.g., ENGL 2XX) may only be counted towards the English electives.
2. Students who have taken ENGL 101 in 1980/81 or earlier will not be required to take ENGL 200A/B. If taken, it will not count as an English Major credit.
3. ENGL 200A, 200B, 251A, 251B are strongly recommended for second year. If all four courses are not completed by the end of Year Two, they must be included in Year Three selection of courses, or the Department may refuse to grant approval of that selection of courses.
4. For RPW students: Because most students who choose RPW also choose the co-op academic plan, the pattern of RPW course selection is set up to accommodate their needs. Co-op RPW students are strongly advised to follow a fully-alternating schedule of academic and work terms. (For the details of this alternating schedule, see the Work/Study Sequence, as well as the term by term models in the RPW advisory material available from the English Undergraduate Officer.) Co-op RPW students are also strongly advised not to go off-stream.