The Department of English Language and Literature recognizes that Generative AI (GenAI) platforms running Large Language Models (LLMs) present specific challenges to our discipline. Our department’s mandate is rooted in fostering critical language and interpretive skills developed through close reading, careful writing, and deliberative human discourse. GenAI platforms can disrupt the development of these skills in the name of efficiency by automating the writing process, restricting the time required for critical thinking, and redirecting discourse to AI chatbots. Moreover, these platforms rely on the unauthorized use of published work and frequently invent, misquote, and misattribute sources, thereby modelling violations of academic integrity outlined in the University’s Policy 71. We also recognize the ethical issues related to GenAI, including environmental impacts, academic freedom restrictions, and unjust labour practices.
Our Department celebrates critical and creative engagement with new technologies, aiming to prepare students for long-term agency and competency with evolving communication paradigms. This policy expresses our commitment to fostering that engagement while focusing on core skills such as critical thinking, self-expression, and creative and critical writing. To this end, the Department offers specific guidelines for students and instructors regarding the use of GenAI in both undergraduate and graduate studies. The Department also supports the right of each instructor to set GenAI policies for their courses. We understand that features of LLM platforms can change rapidly, and as a result, this living document may be updated in the future.