English
In this program you’ll look at literature from a variety of perspectives. You can explore:
- stories
- poems
- plays
- film
- graphic novels
- video games
Potential careers
What can you do with an English degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:
- communications coordinator
- librarian
- archivist
- technical writer
- creative writer
- proposal writer
- social media manager
- editor
- content manager
- program manager
- curriculum planner
- human resources coordinator
- government or public service
- market research
- community outreach
- student services
- teacher or instructor
- entrepreneur
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the English program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to English:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the English program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Consulting project
ENGL 301 - Report Writing for Business
Compose a report or proposal for a community organization
ENGL 305 - Visual Rhetoric for Professional Writers
Design communications (posters, logos, etc.) for a community organization
ENGL 401 - Web Design
Design a website for a community organization
ENGL 407 - Digital Communication and Social Media
Produce social media plans for a community organization
ENGL 418 - Print Media Genres and Techniques for Professional Communication
Produce a media kit (brochures, posters, etc.) for a community organization
ENGL 492 - Directed Reading in Advanced Topics in Professional Communication
(variable course topics)
Gain experience with a special topic project, such as editing, digitization, etc.
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Course-based
DHUM 150 - Tools, Techniques, and Culture of the Digital Humanities
Develop digital humanities skills through workshop and project-based work
ENGL 342 - Early Middle English Literature
Work on Early Middle English manuscripts to develop language transcription skills
ENGL 353 - Studies in Medieval English Literature
Study and work with archival manuscript materials in special collections
ENGL 481 - In the Archives
Gain hands-on, project-based practice in the study of archival materials
Creative or design project
ENGL 414A - American Film to 1945
ENGL 414B - American Film Since 1945
Write, produce and edit short video scene remakes from classic American films
Field placement
ENGL 492 - Directed Reading in Advanced Topics in Professional Communication
(variable course topics)
Gain workplace experience (e.g. work for a journal or publication)
Professional and technical skill development
ENGL 225 - Technical Communications: Written and Verbal
Develop technical writing skills composing business letters, reports, etc.
ENGL 301 - Report Writing for Business
ENGL 302 - Writing for Government and the Public Sector
ENGL 303 - Copy Editing
ENGL 305 - Visual Rhetoric for Professional Writers
ENGL 401 - Web Design
ENGL 407 - Digital Communication and Social Media
ENGL 412 - Research for Professional Writers
ENGL 418 - Print Media Genres and Techniques for Professional Communication
ENGL 492 - Directed Reading in Advanced Topics in Professional Communication
Develop discipline-specific writing skills
Research project
ENGL 342 - Early Middle English Literature
Create annotated editions of Early Middle English texts from manuscript images
ENGL 499 - Graduating Essay in Honours
Research, write and orally defend a graduating honours essay
Work experience
Work experience work terms
Take part in a modified co-op program requiring one or two work experiences
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the English program.
English language
- write and speak at a professional level
- use grammar and punctuation correctly
- understand the development of the English language
- identify historic varieties of English
- understand the diversity and global dispersion of contemporary varieties of English
English literature
- understand English literature from the medieval period to the present
- understand literature in English outside Britain, including Canadian, American and postcolonial literature
- understand the literary canon including Chaucer and Shakespeare
- understand literary history and periodization
- understand genre and form
Literary interpretation
- critically read literature and describe how literary texts generate meaning
- understand major issues in literary criticism
- understand and read literature in relation to literary theory
- use close reading skills and literary terminology such as metre, figurative language, speaker, persona, tone and voice
- identify the critical questions to ask about a body of material
Historical, social and cultural perspective
- identify the historical, social and cultural context in which a text is produced
- understand how historical, cultural and social contexts impact literary texts
- explore historical, social and cultural perspectives with intellectual curiosity
- consider politics in the context of literature, including nationalism, imperialism, militarism, liberalism and conservatism
- consider religion, ethnicity, race, gender and class in the context of literature