English

Department of English

General Office: 

Carleton Hall, Room 247
Department of English
The University of New Brunswick
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4400
Fredericton, NB
Canada E3B 5A3 
Phone: (506) 453-4676
Email:  english@unb.ca
Website:  //www.unb.ca/fredericton/arts/departments/english/
Chair: Dr. Edith Snook

 Faculty

  • Austin, Diana, BA (UNB), MA (Qu), DPhil (Oxon), Prof Emerita - 2017
  • Ball, John C., BA, MA, PhD (Tor), Prof - 1995
  • Canitz, A. E. Christa, BA, MA (Birmingham), PhD (UBC), Prof (retired) - 2022
  • Cockburn, Robert Hood, BA, MA (UNB), Prof Emeritus - 2004
  • Davies, Gwendolyn, BA (Dal-King's), Ed Cert, MA (Tor), PhD (York), DCL (UKC), FRSC, Emerita Prof & Dean - 2008
  • Effinger, Elizabeth, ARCT (Tor), BA, MA (Waterloo), PhD (UWO), Assoc Prof - 2016
  • Falkenstein, Len, BA, MA (Sask), PhD (Alberta), Prof - 1999
  • Finlay, Tatrina, BA (Mt. Allison), MA (UNB), Teaching Prof - 2008
  • Gibbs, Robert J., BA (UNB), BA (Cantab.), MA, PhD (UNB), Prof Emeritus - 1989
  • Gray, Robert W., BA (UVic), MA (Manitoba), PhD (Alberta), Prof - 2008
  • Huebert, David, BA (Dal-King's), MA (UVic), PhD (UWO), Asst Prof - 2021 
  • Jarman, Mark, BA (UVic), MFA (Iowa), Prof (retired) - 2022
  • Jodoin, Lisa, BA (Algoma), MA (Lakehead), Lecturer - 2021 
  • Klinck, Anne L., BA, MA (Oxon), MA (UBC), MA (McG), PhD (UBC), Prof Emerita - 2010
  • Leckie, Ross, BA (McG), PD/AD (Educ) (Alberta), MA (C'dia), PhD (Tor), Prof Emeritus - 2021
  • Martin, Randall, BA (Tor), MA (Birmingham), DPhil (Oxon), Prof (retired) - 2021
  • Ploude, Roger J., BA (St. Thomas), MA (Dal), PhD (Qu), Prof Emeritus - 2010
  • Rimmer, Mary P., BA (C'dia), AM, PhD (Harv), Prof (retired) - 2017
  • Robertson, Lisa C., BA (UVic), MA (Royal Holloway), PhD (Warwick), Asst Prof - 2022
  • Schryer, Stephen, BA (McMaster), MA (UWO), PhD (California, Irvine), Prof - 2009
  • Sinclair, Sue, BA (Mt. Allison), MA (UNB), MA (Tor), PhD (Tor), Assoc Prof - 2016
  • Snook, Edith, BA, MA (Alberta), PhD (UWO), Prof & Chair - 2001

General Information

For detailed information on course offerings and regulations, students should obtain a copy of the Department's Undergraduate Handbook issued in spring each year. 

The Department offers in its general program a wide range of courses on British, American, Canadian, and Postcolonial literature and on Indigenous literatures of Turtle Island. It also offers courses in creative and expository writing, in film studies, and in drama production, some of which are parts of special programs in Creative Writing, in Film, and in Drama. Students in all courses in English are required to produce original critical and/or creative work.

The Department of English affirms the crucial importance of the interactive classroom experience in all its courses designed for classroom delivery. Since students must be in class in order to have that experience, no student can pass any classroom ENGL course without attending at least half of the classes in that course. There are specific attendance policies for courses at the various levels; generally, it is expected that no student will miss more than four class hours per term without good reason.

In consultation with one of the departmental advisors, students may take courses in English at St. Thomas University in lieu of those listed in this Calendar, provided the regulations concerning transfer credits are met.

1000- and 2000-Level Programs: General Regulations and Information 

The 1000- and 2000-level courses are designed to give students a fuller appreciation of major works of literature and to improve their ability to write effective English. These courses are intended to be of value both to students who will specialize in English and to students in Arts and other Faculties who have a general interest in English.

Course Numbering

Courses whose numbers begin with the digit 1 are introductory; those beginning with 2 are intermediate. Course numbers of advanced-level courses begin with 3, 4, or 5. Students above the first-year level who have taken a previous university English course must elect 2000-level courses, except for ENGL 1000, which may be elected with departmental permission, and ENGL 1103 and ENGL 1104. Students above the first-year level who have not taken a previous university English course may elect either 1000- or 2000-level courses except ENGL 2011 and ENGL 2012.

Apart from the initial numeral indicating the year in which a course is normally taken, the numbering of courses is merely a means of identification and does not indicate that one course is more or less advanced than another. Students must have taken 6 ch of 1000- or 2000-level courses before enrolling in a course at the advanced level. Any student intending to major or honour in English should take ENGL 2011 and 2012; to enter these courses a grade of C or better in ENGL 1000 or equivalent is required. First-year students in Faculties other than Arts must elect 1000-level courses.

Second-year students may take up to 12 ch of English courses, normally at the intermediate level. Students may not take a 2000-level course in any subject area in which they have already had an advanced-level course.

Please contact the Director of First and Second Year for more information. 

Major, Honours, and Minor

Majors and Honours students must complete ENGL 1000 (or equivalent), ENGL 2011, and ENGL 2012. Students should note that any courses compulsory for other degree programs may not be counted towards an English Major, Honours, or Minor program.

Majoring in English

Students who intend to major in English should contact one of the Co-Directors of Majors and Honours to discuss their program for the following year and to register in the program. Students should normally declare their Major before completing the first 60 ch of the BA or BAS program. The appropriate Co-Director of Majors and Honours should also be consulted regarding any changes in a student's program.

Single Major students must complete a minimum of 42 ch of English courses, including the following:

  • ENGL 1000 (or approved equivalent)
  • ENGL 2011 and ENGL 2012
  • 30 ch of upper-level English courses:
    • 6 ch in literature in English before 1660
    • 6 ch in literature in English, 1660-1900
    • 18 ch of English electives.

Double Major students must complete a minimum of 36 ch of English courses, including the following:

  • ENGL 1000 (or approved equivalent)
  • ENGL 2011 and ENGL 2012
  • 24 ch of upper-level English courses:
    • 6 ch in literature in English before 1660
    • 6 ch in literature in English, 1660-1900
    • 12 ch of English electives.

All courses to be counted towards the fulfilment of the minimum Major requirement must be passed with a grade of C or better. 

Students may include a total of up to 9 ch of upper-level courses drawn from the following group in the minimum requirements for the Single or Double Major: Film Studies, Writing (creative writing or screenwriting), and Drama Production. 

Optional Major Program: English (Creative Writing) 

Students wishing to concentrate in creative writing may take the Major option in English (Creative Writing). Students choosing this program option must complete the normal English Major requirements (as explained under "Majoring in English") along with creative writing courses, as follows:

Additional creative writing courses may be taken as electives outside the requirements of the English program. 

To enrol in this program option, students should consult the Director of Creative Writing and one of the Co-Directors of Majors, Honours, and Minors.

Double Major in Drama

Students can study Drama as part of a Double Major program. For details, see the Drama Program.

Honours Program

Students enter the Honours program in their third year but may declare their intention of pursuing Honours during their second year. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be admitted in their fourth year. ENGL 1000 (or equivalent) is required of those who wish to enrol in Honours. Students should complete ENGL 2011 and ENGL 2012 by the end of the second year and must have met this requirement by the end of the third year. The student must have achieved an average of 3.3 (B+) in these or other English literature courses. In order to retain Honours standing, students must maintain an average of 3.3 in English courses and of 2.5 in non-English courses.

Single Honours

Single Honours students must complete 60 ch in English courses in total, including the following: 

  • ENGL 1000 (or equivalent)
  • ENGL 2011 and ENGL 2012
  • 6 ch in literature in English before 1660 at the upper level (not including Honours seminars)
  • 6 ch in literature in English, 1660-1900, at the upper level (not including Honours seminars)
  • five Honours seminars (including ENGL 5083), for a total of 15 ch at the 5000 level (Honours students who have already taken ENGL 3083 should take five regular Honours seminars.)
  • 21 ch of upper-level ENGL electives (usually 3000-level courses, but students may choose to take an extra Honours seminar).

Joint Honours

Joint Honours students must complete a total of 39 ch of English courses, including the following: 

  • ENGL 1000 (or equivalent)
  • ENGL 2011 and ENGL 2012
  • 6 ch in literature in English before 1660 at the upper level (not including Honours seminars)
  • 6 ch in literature in English, 1660-1900, at the upper level (not including Honours seminars)
  • four Honours seminars (including ENGL 5083), for a total of 12 ch at the 5000 level (Honours students who have already taken ENGL 3083 should take four regular Honours seminars.)
  • one 3 ch ENGL elective at the upper level (usually a 3000-level course, but students may choose to take an extra Honours seminar).

Honours students may include a total of up to 9 ch of upper-level courses drawn from the following group: Film Studies, Writing (creative writing or screenwriting), and Drama Production. Students are required to consult with the appropriate Co-Director of Majors and Honours in choosing their courses so as to ensure that they follow a well-balanced program.

Students interested in Honours English are encouraged to discuss the program with one of the Co-Directors of Majors and Honours.

Optional Honours Program: English (Creative Writing)

Students wishing to concentrate in creative writing may take the Honours option in English (Creative Writing). Students choosing this program option must complete the normal English Honours requirements (as explained under “Honours Program”) along with creative writing courses, as follows:

Additional creative writing courses may be taken as electives outside the requirements of the English program.

To enrol in this program option, students should consult the Director of Creative Writing and one of the Co-Directors of Majors, Honours, and Minors. 

Minor Program

The Minor in English consists of at least 24 ch in ENGL completed with a grade of C or better, at least 12 ch of these from advanced-level courses. The courses for the Minor must be approved by one of the Co-Directors of Majors and Honours, and must form a "coherent set or sequence of courses" as called for by the general university regulations for the Minor. Students should note that any courses compulsory for their programs may not be counted towards a Minor.

Minor in English

Students pursuing an ENGL Minor are strongly advised to take ENGL 1000. Other 1000- and 2000-level ENGL courses can also be taken in lieu of ENGL 1000; students should consider pairing a composition course (ENGL 1103 or ENGL 1144) with any of the 2000-level literature courses. In addition to ENGL 1000, ENGL 2011 and ENGL 2012 are strongly recommended for the Minor.

Students transferring credits from another university should note that at least half the credits counted towards a UNB Minor in English must be from courses taken at the University of New Brunswick.

Minor in English (Creative Writing)

The Minor in English (Creative Writing) consists of 24 ch in ENGL as specified below, including at least 12 ch of 3000- and 4000-level courses. All courses to be counted towards the Minor must be completed with a grade of C or better and must form a "coherent set or sequence of courses" as called for by the general university regulations for the Minor. The courses for the Minor in English (Creative Writing) must be approved by one of the Co-Directors of Majors and Honours. Students should note that any courses compulsory for their degree program may not be counted towards a Minor.

Required Courses (12 ch):

Electives (12 ch):

  • any other 12 ch of ENGL courses, including at least 6 ch at the 3000- or 4000-level; additional courses in Creative Writing may be included as electives.

Students transferring credits from another university should note that at least half the credits counted towards a UNB Minor in English (Creative Writing) must be from courses taken at the University of New Brunswick.

Minor in Drama

A Minor in Drama is also offered. For details, see the Drama Program.