Courses for your English degree

First-year courses

As an Arts student, you’ll choose your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.

In your Arts First courses, instead of going to a lecture hall, you and your classmates will work together to respond to an intriguing challenge. With only 25 students in each of the two first-year courses, you might address topics such as The Science of Happiness, Are We Erasing History?, Games and Culture, and Writing About Poems and Songs.

You can choose to study English through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

The first-year courses are the same for each of the four majors in English. If you're interested in Creative and Professional Writing you may want to take ENGL 210C - Genres of Creative Writing in January to April instead of, or in addition to, a 100-level ENGL course.

Honours Arts – English

September to December

  • Choose one course from
  • Arts First requirement 1
  • Prospective major #2
  • Two electives

January to April

  • Choose one course from
  • Arts First requirement 2
  • Prospective major #2
  • Two electives
 

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

Honours Arts and Business – English

September to December

  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Arts First Requirement 1
  • Prospective major #2

Plus one course from

January to April

  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • Arts First Requirement 2
  • Prospective major #2

Plus one course from

 

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

40% of the classes you’ll take will be English courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo – and even spend a semester abroad earning credits toward your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

ENGL 290 – Global Shakespeare
ENGL 294 – Introduction to Critical Game Studies
ENGL 308 – Race and Resistance
ENGL 335 – Creative Writing 1

 

Advisors are here to help

With so much flexibility, you might have a lot of questions. We're here to help! If you're applying for admission, contact our Faculty of Arts recruitment team.

Once you're a Waterloo student, you'll have access to academic advisors who can help you

  • choose your courses,
  • select minors and specializations,
  • ensure that you're meeting the requirements for your degree, and more.

Learn more

Overview of Waterloo's English program.