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The English Department

Discover The English Department

The Bishop’s experience in English is about studying all kinds of cultural texts, from Old English epics to contemporary films and television. It’s about both critical insight and creative production. And most importantly, it’s about developing a genuine community through an intimate environment. Small classes enable students and professors to get to know and learn from one another. Visiting speakers, dinners at a prof's house, poetry nights at local cafés and pubs, movie nights, creative writing contests, and a party every term extend learning well beyond the classroom.

Why study English at Bishop’s?

We like to think of our Program as an offer you can't refuse: the chance to develop the most sought after skills in today's society. By studying English you’ll develop a rich and sophisticated understanding of your culture and yourself. You’ll hone your analytical skills and learn to use language in a way that will empower you in the job market and, indeed, in life.

Program strengths
  • option to concentrate on literature, cultural and media studies, film studies, or popular narrative.
  • wide range of degree options at the Honours, Major, and Minor level.
  • dynamic courses taught by passionate professors, in both traditional and innovative subjects.
  • a variety of smaller, seminar-based courses.

Popular courses
  • The Gangster Film Genre
  • The Gothic Tradition
  • Science Fiction
  • Screenwriting
  • Early Twentieth-Century American Novel
  • The Arthurian Tradition
  • Children's Literature

Did you know?
  • English organizes many extra-curricular events, including film screenings, theater trips, poetry readings, and department parties.
  • English students have their own society, Inglit, and publish Canada's oldest literary journal, THE MITRE.
  • The department awards more than $2000 in prizes each year.
  • The award for the "greatest contribution to university life" went to an English student in 2007.

The English Department presents a symposium on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Saturday, March 14th

PDF icon Brochure

Jane Austen

People at BU

James Hatch
James Hatch Looking back as a fourth year student in Honours English, I feel very fortunate to have chosen Bishop's. My time here has given me the chance to study a wide variety of literatures while realizing my capabilities and specific interests. It is truly a remarkable experience.

I am currently the co-chair of the Inglit Club, Bishop's English Literature Club. The club organizes regular events, including weekly study groups, social gatherings and poetry nights, all intended to perpetuate a passion for literature around the Bishop's community. I have also been afforded the unique opportunity to assist in the coordination of The Morris House Reading Series, which invites established and emerging writers from all over Canada to Bishop's to read from their body of work.

If you are interested in English, you may also be interested in:

Political Studies
Business
Drama