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English and Cultural Studies

Do you want to leave a good impression on people? Do you want to be able to persuade them to understand your perspective and motivate action? Then, you need to learn how to articulate your thoughts – regardless of whether you’re speaking or writing.

English and Cultural Studies looks at the importance of storytelling to human life and culture. This new program will enhance your ability to empathize with diverse narratives, as well as sculpt your own in ways that influence people and positive change.

ENGLISH AND CULTURAL STUDIES BROCHURE

NEW COURSE – ENG3250G: MADNESS & LITERATURE (PDF)

NEW COURSE – ENG 353G: Black Writing in Canada (PDF)

Stories

Studying English has led our alumni to inspire greatness with their mastery of comprehension, creative and critical thinking and communication. Learn where their unparalleled grasp of linguistics and literature have taken them, and start to imagine what you can achieve when you know how to motivate others to action through persuasive reasoning and empathy-building.

  • The Liberal Arts help you contextualize all these challenges within our past, present and future, which reinforces how we look at the world and how able we will be to change it.
    Natalie Cross
    Double Major in Political Science and English
    Read more
  • The practice of medicine is not about cells. It's about human beings and that, above all else, is what the Liberal Arts teaches you to understand.
    Don Melady, BA'81
    Physician, Mount Sinai Hospital
    Read more
  • Huron gave me competence academically and socially. My education taught me how to communicate with people from all walks of life, including those in positions of authority.
    Taylor Harris
    From Huron to Cambridge
    Read more
HONORS SPECIALIZATION
SPECIALIZATION
MAJOR
MINOR
English For Teachers

Do you dream about inspiring a love of English culture and literature in the next generation of Leaders with Heart? If you’re considering becoming a teacher who is able to support their students to think critically, produce creative arguments and recognize the relevance of thematic patterns that may form the basis of potent arguments, explore your potential to change lives with the power of transformational narratives.

Learn more about the English for Teachers minor.

CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH LITERATURE

Study literature with a focus on those works generally produced after World War I. Look at how contemporary literature re-imagines history, genre and identity, and draw comparisons and connections to the ways we currently analyze and depict our circumstances. Learn to sharpen and raise your voice to tell your own story in ways that inspire understanding, relationship-building and the achievement of your personal and professional goals.

Pair this minor with another focus in the Liberal Arts; theology or Management & Organizational Studies to gain a fulsome set of skills that will prepare you to be a great asset to any team or industry.

Learn more about the Contemporary English Literature Minor. 

ENGLISH AND CULTURAL STUDIES

Study the most valued literature in English alongside cultural works that lie beyond traditionally celebrated authors. Engage with popular culture such as young adult fiction, digital writing, graphic novels, lyrics, comic books, and film.

Take advantage of the opportunity to explore what constitutes “English” literature, as you examine global literatures and narratives in the English language alongside those from the U.K., Ireland, and North America.

Learn more about the following program offerings in English and Cultural Studies:

Honors Specialization

Combined Honors Specialization Faculty of Arts and Social Science at Huron/HBA

Specialization

Major 

Minor

Professors

Our English & Cultural Studies professors are exceptionally passionate about their course material, and they want to share their excitement about storytelling with you. That’s why, this department prioritizes their relationships with students and ensures they are able to nurture talents and interests by providing individualized support. Learn about the educators who will guide you along the journey from timeless literary works through to modern articles and analyzes that speak to the challenges, opportunities and adventures that define humanity and our relationship with the world.

  • What is the goal of your teaching? My teaching aims to inspire students to confront and actively respond to the critical problems raised in the works I teach while also encouraging them to find creative outputs (e.g. performance, digital design) to express these views.
    Scott Schofield, PhD
    Associate Professor and Chair, English and Cultural Studies
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  • My teaching aims to explore the meaning and purpose of human culture, through a close study of historical and contemporary cultural forms, in both traditional and contemporary media.
    John Vanderheide, PhD
    Associate Professor, English and Cultural Studies
    Read more
  • Students learn first through example, and then through action. The activities they perform in the classroom need to reflect the world they occupy as adults, and consequently the change they would like to see in it. My classroom fosters a safe space of practical applicability through experiential learning, alongside theoretical engagement that acknowledges positionality.
    Amanda Di Ponio, PhD
    Assistant Professor, English and Cultural Studies
    Read more

English and Cultural Studies Department

Tenure-stream

Program sessional and per course instructors 

Professors Emeriti

English and Cultural Studies Courses

Storytelling is an ancient art that has helped preserve valuable human narratives that continue to hold significant relevance and meaning – even amidst today’s digitally-focused generation. Narratives of love, loss, struggle and perseverance ring as true for audiences today, as they did when performed under the direction of the Bard and the reign of Elizabeth I. As a student within the English & Cultural Studies program, you will learn to recognize these powerful themes and derive meaning from their analysis that can be applied to support your personal and professional growth.

Huron’s English & Cultural Studies courses are as diverse as they are intriguing and challenging. Choose the topics that most interest you, and prepare to become submersed in a world of inward and outward reflection that will strengthen your understanding of history, culture, and most importantly, what makes us human.

After your first year, you can explore issues such as: reading literature since the digital turn, from heroes to superheroes, African-American social movements, music in culture, women’s literature, film and popular culture, indigenous literature, popular culture and film, creative writing.

2024 - 2025 Courses
Course – Please see link for Academic Calendar Description  Instructor Section – See links for Course Outlines
ENG 1027F – Storyteller’s Art I: Loss and Tragedy (550); Love and Romance (551) Schofield / Blanchette 550 / 551
ENG 1028G – Storyteller’s Art II: Ecology and Catastrophe (550); Politics and Persuasion (551) Sargent / Blanchette 550 / 551
ENG 1042E – Literary and Cultural Representations Robinet 551
ENG 2011BOral Persuasion: Making Public Performance (FORMERLY SPEECH 2001) Di Ponio 550
ENG 2228FLiterary and Cultural Texts: Pre-1700 Di Ponio 550
ENG 2229G – Literary and Cultural Texts: 1700-1900 Robinet 550
ENG 2230G – Studies in Poetics Vanderheide 550
ENG 2265F  – An Introduction to Theory Allen 550
ENG 2551F – Special Topics: Taylor Swift and “Other Tortured Poets” Robinet 550
ENG 2695E – Backgrounds and Foundations Di Ponio 550
ENG 2731FA History of the Book Schofield 550
ENG 3250GMadness and Literature Blanchette 550
ENG 3265G – Feminist Literary Theory Blanchette 550
ENG 3573GBlack Writing in Canada Solomon 550
ENG 3771E  – Genres/Forms/Modes Robinet 550
ENG 3999F – Creative Writing Berkel 550
ENG 4472FGive Me Liberty or Give Me Death: 20th Century American Novels Blanchette 550
ENG 4851G – Music and Culture Vanderheide 550
2023 - 2024 Courses
Course – Please see link for Academic Calendar Description  Instructor Section – See links for Course Outlines
ENG 1027F – The Storyteller’s Art I: Introduction to Narrative Sargent 550
ENG 1028G – The Storyteller’s Art II: Topics in Narrative Di Ponio 550
ENG 1042E – Literature and Cultural Representations Robinet / Blanchette/Schofield 550 / 551
ENG 2027F – Literature and Film Robinet 550
ENG 2092F – Special Topics in Popular Literature Vanderheide 550
ENG 2230G – Studies in Poetics Schofield 550
ENG 2265F  – Introduction to Theory Blanchette / Vanderheide 550
ENG 2326G – Topics in Victorian Literature Robinet 550
ENG 2372F – Shakespeare Schofield 550
ENG 2400E – Dramatic Forms/Genres Di Ponio 550
ENG 2695E – Backgrounds & Foundations in English Studies Vanderheide 550
ENG 3265G – Advanced Theory Allen 550
ENG 3333E – Experiential Engagement with Literature & Culture Schofield / Vanderheide 550
ENG 3771E  – Genres/Forms/Modes Robinet 550
ENG 3999G – Creative Writing Berkel 550
ENG 4881F – Seminar in Literary Studies: Conflict in 20th Century and Contemporary Women’s Drama Di Ponio 550

 

2022 - 2023 Courses
2021 - 2022 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline
ENG 1027F – The Storyteller’s Art I: Introduction to Narrative Brooks / Vanderheide 550 outline / 551 outline
ENG 1027G – The Storyteller’s Art I: Introduction to Narrative Blanchette View course outline
ENG 1028G – The Storyteller’s Art II: Topics in Narrative Schofield / Vanderheide 550 outline551 outline
ENG 1042E – Literature and Cultural Representations Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2027F – Literature and Film Vanderheide View course outline
ENG 2091G – Special Topic: Pandemic!: Narratives of Contagion and Disease Blanchette View course outline
ENG 2230F – Studies in Poetics Brooks View course outline
ENG 2265G  – Introduction to Theory Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2325F – Victorian Literature Donaldson View course outline
ENG 2335G – British Literature Since 1945: Major Authors Donaldson View course outline
ENG 2356G – Special Topic: Indigenous Women’s Resilience: Not Just Missing and Murdered Komorowski View course outline
ENG 2372F – Shakespeare Schofield View course outline
ENG 2551G – Special Topic: Climate Change and Environmental Justice in World Literature Robinet View course outline
ENG 2695E – Backgrounds & Foundations Schofield View course outline
ENG 2824G – Special Topic: “American Dreams, American Nightmares” Brooks View course outline
ENG 3265F – Advanced Theory Vanderheide View course outline
ENG 3333E – Experiential Engagement with Literature and Culture Vanderheide / Schofield View course outline
ENG 3771E  – Genres/Forms/Modes Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 4371G – Seminar in Twentieth-Century British and Irish Literature Vanderheide View course outline
ENG 4871F – Seminar in Literary Studies Di Ponio View course outline
2020 - 2021 Courses
Course Course Description Instructor Course Outline
ENG 1027F – The Storyteller’s Art I: Introduction to Narrative View description Mioc View course outline
ENG 1028G – The Storyteller’s Art II: Topics in Narrative View description Mioc View course outline
ENG 1042E – Literature and Cultural Representations View 550 552 Di Ponio/ Blanchette / Pearson View 550 / 552
ENG 2028G  – Topics in Literature and Film View description Mioc View course outline
ENG 2033E  – Children’s Literature View description Hartley View course outline
ENG 2228F  – Literary and Cultural Texts: Pre –1700 View description Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2229G  – Literary and Cultural Texts: 1700 –1900 View description Donaldson View course outline
ENG 2230F – Studies in Poetics View description Brooks View course outline
ENG 2265F  – Introduction to Theory View description Sandhar View course outline
ENG 2306G  – Renaissance Literature View description Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2316F  – Topics in 18th Century Literature View description Hubel View course outline
ENG 2326F  – Topics in Victorian Literature View description Donaldson View course outline
ENG 2356F – Topics in 20th Century Canadian Literature View description Komorowski View course outline
ENG 2715G  – Women & Literature: Special Topics View description Pearson View course outline
ENG 2824F  – Special Topics in Cultural Studies View description Mioc View course outline
ENG 3265G  – Advanced Theory View description Pearson View course outline
ENG 3771E  – Genres/Forms/Modes View description Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 3999F  – Creative Writing View description King View course outline
ENG 4871F  – Seminar in Literary Studies View description Brooks View course outline
ENG 4881G  – Seminar in Literary Studies View description Hubel View course outline
2019 - 2020 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline
ENG 1027F – The Storyteller’s Art I: Introduction to Narrative Vanderheide/ Donaldson 550 outline/ 551 outline
ENG 1028G – The Storyteller’s Art II: Topics in Narrative Mioc/Di Ponio 550 outline551 outline
ENG 1042E – Literature and Cultural Representations Schofield/Di Ponio 550 outline551 outline
ENG 2027G – Literature and Film Mioc View course outline
ENG 2230F – Studies in Poetics Brooks View course outline
ENG 2265F  – Introduction to Theory Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2326G – Topics in Victorian Literature Donaldson View course outline
ENG 2356G – Topics in 20 Century Canadian Literature in English Robinet View course outline
ENG 2363F – Topics in World Literature Written in English Hubel View course outline
ENG 2470F – Canadian Drama Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2550F – Special Topics: Young Adult Fiction Mioc View course outline
ENG 2695E – Backgrounds & Foundations Schofield View course outline
ENG 2705G – Special Topics: Women & Literature Hubel View course outline
ENG 2735F – Children’s Culture and Literature: 1950’s to the Present Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 3333E – Experiential Engagement with
Literature and Culture: Forms of Adaptation a Critical Making Course
Vanderheide/ Schofield View course outline
ENG 3771E  – Genres/Forms/Modes Vanderheide View course outline
ENG 4572F – Literature of the Canada/ US Border Brooks View course outline
ENG 4851G – Music in Literature and Culture Vanderheide View course outline
2018 - 2019 Courses
Course Instructor Course Outline
ENG 1027F – The Storyteller’s Art I: Introduction to Narrative Mioc 550 outline551 outline
ENG 1028G – The Storyteller’s Art II: Topics in Narrative Donaldson/Mioc 550 outline551 outline
ENG 1042E – Literature and Cultural Representations Schofield/Vanderheide 550 outline551 outline
ENG 2028G  – Topics in Literature and Film Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2229G  – Literary and Cultural Texts: 1700 –1900 Donaldson View course outline
ENG 2230F – Studies in Poetics Brooks View course outline
ENG 2265F  – Introduction to Theory Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2335G – British Literature since 1945: Major Authors Di Ponio View course outline
ENG 2346F – American Coming of Age Novels and Films Since the Second World War Brooks View course outline
ENG 2361E – World Literature Written in English Hubel View course outline
ENG 2372F – Shakespeare Schofield View course outline 
ENG 2551F – Gord Downie, The Tragically Hip, and Canadian Identity Robinet View course outline
ENG 2735G – Children’s Culture and Literature DiPonio View course outline
ENG 2824G – Heroes and Superheroes Mioc View course outline
ENG 3265G  – Advanced Theory Vanderheide View course outline
ENG 3333E – Experiential Engagement with
Literature and Culture: Forms of Adaptation a Critical Making Course
Vanderheide/ Schofield View course outline
ENG 4851F – 4th Year Seminar in Literary Studies: Creative Indigeneity: Indigenous Literature, Popular Culture, and Film from the Settler Colonies Hubel View course outline
ENG 4871G – 4th Year Seminar in Literary Studies: Version Control: Process, Variation and Flux in Literary Authorship Schofield View course outline

English and Cultural Studies Careers

The question is not what can you do with an English degree – it’s what can’t you do! Students who take on the challenging subject matter of English & Culture Studies develop a breadth and depth of skills that catalyze their upward momentum in any number of careers, across countless sectors. Whether you want to pursue graduate studies or build brand awareness for a Fortune 500 company, your skills as a writer, researcher and presenter will set you apart and secure your position as a team leader who is looked to for imagination, empathy and motivational communication.

Where will a degree in English & Cultural Studies take you?
  • Copywriter
  • Editor or Editorial assistant
  • Teacher
  • Journalist (digital or traditional)
  • Proofreader
  • Content strategist, manager and producer
  • Human resources specialist
  • Librarian
  • Advertising account executive
  • Lawyer
  • Public relations specialist
  • Marketing communications maven
  • Technical writer and/or editor
  • Web content manager
  • SEO specialist
  • Social media manager
  • Author
  • Corporate communications director
  • Philanthropy/grant writer
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Key Contacts