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William Wordsworth October 21, 2016 - 3:00pm

the poet binds together by passion and knowledge the vast empire of human society, as it is spread over the whole earth, and over all time.
Robert Bringhurst December 10, 2016 - 11:53pm

Voice: the breath’s tooth.
Thought: the brain’s bone.
Birdsong: an extension
of the beak. Speech:
the antler of the mind.
English Students Association May 4, 2022 - 5:15pm

The English Students Association meets weekly in the lounge on the first floor of building 345.  Our meetings provide an opportunity to network with other students as well as faculty.  We host professor-led seminars which provide useful information such as research methods and essay workshops.  English Students Association also hosts a number of fun events such as pizza meet-and-greet with faculty, an evening at VIU theatre and pub nights.  Students — Please come to our meetings.  The more people we have the more resources we will have and the bigger the ne
Essay Competition September 27, 2022 - 1:57pm

We hold an annual Essay Competition, adjudicated in the spring/summer. Prizes are awarded for the best essay in the following categories:
Witness Blanket May 22, 2024 - 3:02pm

Carey Newman - The Witness Blanket

October 6 - November 30, 2016
Upper-Level 2016-17 February 12, 2024 - 8:19am

Although normally the prerequisite for upper-level courses is two 200-level English courses, for students interested in specific courses, prerequisites may be waived through consultation with the Professor and Chair.
Second-Year Courses June 22, 2021 - 10:23am

First-Year Courses March 6, 2025 - 10:09am

View Course Timetable

Fall 

NumberCourse Descriptions
ENGL 115University Writing and Research
ENGL 117

University Writing and Research: Indigenous Focus
Courses in Related Disciplines June 22, 2021 - 10:23am

Fall 2017 – Spring 2018

Public Speaking Fall 2017

ENGL 208: INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING

Multiple Sections 
2021-22 Upper-level Rotation March 19, 2021 - 4:23pm

Fall 2021

CourseCourse DescriptionDegree RequirementProfessor
 312History of Critical TheoryLiterature and CriticismCarpentier
 329Topics in Children’s & YA Literature
Melissa Stephens March 12, 2025 - 2:22pm
  • B.A. (Waterloo)
  • MA (Alberta)
  • PhD (Alberta)
Melissa Stephens
Celebrating Students April 26, 2023 - 1:23pm

English Student Association

Join the English Student Association.
Academic Integrity January 27, 2017 - 2:56pm

Notes on Academic Integrity

(Adapted from a document prepared by Bill Taylor, Professor of Political Science, at Oakton Community College, Des Moines, IL.  Used with permission of the author.)
Prerequisites June 22, 2021 - 10:23am
  • The prerequisite for ENGL 115, 125, and 135 is a “C” in ENGL 12 or ENGL 067, or a score of Level 4 on the essay part and at least 50% on the objective part of the Language Proficiency Index exam.
  • Unless otherwise indicated, the prerequisite for second-year English courses is the completion of two university-transfer English courses (one of which must be a literature course) with a minimum grade of “C” in each. In exceptional cases, permission for exemptions may be granted by the Chair on behalf of the department.
Prior Learning Assessment Procedure February 1, 2022 - 4:33pm

Procedures

Students interested in Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit in English 115, 125, or 204 should obtain a PLA Registration form from Student Services or from the Chair of the English Department.  To qualify, students must have a degree from an accredited institution or work experience in a relevant profession.
Grading Guidelines August 22, 2024 - 8:55am

English Department Guidelines for Grading

NOTE: Instructors may adjust grading guidelines when required for specific assignments.

“A” Paper—The “A” paper is considered excellent.
First-Year Standards and Expectations May 31, 2021 - 4:08pm

Prerequisites

The prerequisite for ENGL 115, 125, and 135 is a “C” in ENGL 12 or ENGL 067, or a score of Level 4 on the essay part and at least 50% on the objective part of the Language Proficiency Index exam.

First-Year Standards and Expectations

a) In order to clarify exactly what will be expected of students in first-year English, the English Department has developed the following set of policies and practices:
Lynn Wytenbroek January 28, 2022 - 9:41am
  • MA (Auckland)
  • Ph. D. (Toronto)

Twentieth-century British fiction, fantasy literature, science fiction, children’s literature, Celtic Renaissance writings, twentieth-century drama, nineteenth-century American literature (esp. the transcendentalists), Romantic poetry, metaphysical poetry.
Ian Whitehouse January 28, 2022 - 9:41am
  • MA (UBC)
  • PhD (Wales)

Semiotics, culture, language, postmodernism (philosophical, literary, cinematic, etc.), socio-linguistics, history of criticism, critical theory.
Paul Watkins January 28, 2022 - 9:50am
  • B.A. (UBC)
  • MA (UBC)
  • PhD (Guelph)

“I say, play your own way. Don’t play what the public wants. You play what you want and let the public pick up on what you’re doing, even if it does take them fifteen, twenty years.”
—Thelonious Monk