Introductory English Courses
Whether you are a first-year English major or a student in another program seeking an engaging elective, we have an introductory course for you.
ENGL 1483-1493 Writing and Reading Critically are designed with you in mind. You will take this two-part course in both the fall and winter terms. Enrollment is limited to 32 students and all sections are taught by a qualified professor. You will explore a variety of novels, plays, poems, and essays while also working to hone your analytic skills and to develop a clear and persuasive writing style. Complete this course with a C- or better and you will be eligible to proceed in the English program, selecting from upper-level courses covering a range of periods, authors, genres, and critical approaches, including various creative writing courses.
NOTE: Both parts of ENGL 1483-1493 must be completed in a single academic year.
If you’re not an English major and it’s an introduction to English at the university level you’re looking for, Writing and Reading Critically is your best choice. You may take either ENGL 1413 + 1423, single-term courses that may be taken in either order, or ENGL 1483-1493, a two-part course that you will take in both the fall and winter terms. In these courses, you’ll read a selection of novels, plays, and poems, and work in a small class setting with a qualified professor to develop your writing and critical thinking skills. Complete this course with a C- or better and you’ll also be eligible to take any of a large selection of 2000- and 3000-level English literature and creative writing courses as you progress through the degree program of your choice.
NOTE: ENGL 1483-1493 and ENGL 1413 + 1423 meet the Arts Core requirement for 6h of English at the 1000-level.*
ENGL 1413 and ENGL 1423 may be taken in either order but not simultaneously.
We also offer a limited number of sections of Composition, ENGL 1213 and ENGL 1223. In the single-term ENGL 1213, you’ll read a variety of essays and articles to help you learn to write a unified and coherent academic essay. ENGL 1223 builds on the basic elements of writing covered in ENGL 1213, with an emphasis on argumentation. Sometimes we also offer a section of ENGL 1603 Critical Digital Literacy, a course that encourages greater awareness of the economic and political aspects of digital environments, interfaces, tools, and networks. Completion of these courses WILL NOT allow you to enroll in upper-level English literature or creative writing courses.
NOTE: Any two of ENGL 1213, 1223, or 1603 meets the Arts Core requirement for 6h of English at the 1000-level.*
ENGL 1213 must be taken before ENGL 1223.
* The Arts Core requires that students complete 6 credit hours of English. This requirement may be met with the full-year ENGL 1483-1493 or with any two of the following: ENGL 1413, ENGL 1423, ENGL 1213, ENGL 1223, ENGL 1603.
If English is not your native language, then ENGL 1313 and ENGL 1323 Composition for Second Language Students may be just what you need. These sequential, single-term courses with an enrolment limit of just 18 students focus on the development of writing skills for those who do not speak English as a first language. Special attention is given to fundamentals of grammar, vocabulary building, sentence structure, analysis of texts, and the organization of written argument. Completion of ENGL 1213 & 1223 WILL NOT allow you to enrol in upper-level English literature or creative writing courses.
NOTE: ENGL 1313/1323 DO NOT count toward the Arts Core requirement of 6h of English.* Students whose first language is not English ARE PERMITTED to count these courses toward the Arts Core second language requirement.
ENGL 1313 must be taken before ENGL 1323.
* The Arts Core requires that students complete 6 credit hours of English. This requirement may be met with the full-year ENGL 1483-1493 or with any two of the following: ENGL 1413, ENGL 1423, ENGL 1213, ENGL 1223, ENGL 1603.