English Specialist (HBA)
Admissions Category: Social Sciences & Humanities
Program Overview
English Literature explores the diversity of texts produced in the English-speaking world, across historical periods and geographical boundaries. You will engage with new ways of thinking, speaking, and writing about the world and, in so doing, interact with and change that world.
The Specialist program provides an unparalleled opportunity for in-depth and more advanced work in literary studies, while also giving you the room you need to broaden your understanding of the field and explore your interests as widely as possible. The Specialist offers superb preparation for graduate work in English literature; it is also an excellent foundation for a variety of career paths that emphasize critical thinking and communication skills.
Complementary Programs:
You can combine our Specialist with a range of programs in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Sciences.
Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:
Competencies & Skills
- Build on the foundations of effective writing to produce sustained lines of argument
- Use grammar, syntax, and vocabulary appropriate to context
- Develop strong critical reading and critical thinking skills
- Attain deep disciplinary knowledge of authors, literary periods, genres, and regions
- Amplify capacity for respectful forms of communication
Careers for Graduates
- Teacher or Education Curriculum Developer
- Editor/Copy Editor
- Author/Writer/Artist in Creative Industries
- Journalist/Editor/Drama Critic/Film Critic
- Social Media Manager
- Public Relations Specialist/Communications Assistant
- Market Research Analyst
- Policy Analyst (Government or NGOs)
- Technical Writer
- Journalist/Blogger
Further Education
- English
- Journalism
- Education
- Library and Information Science
- Publishing
- Law School
- Public Relations
- Marketing
Program Pathway
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4
Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Take ENGA01H3 and ENGA02H3.
- Explore different kinds of courses; this will also help with fulfilling breadth requirements and electives.
- Use Degree Explorer and the UTSC Calendar to plan your courses and program of interest.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Schedule an appointment with your Program Librarian for in-depth research assistance with your assignments.
- Get writing support through the CTL Writing Centre.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Attend the UTSC Faculty Mix & Mingle Fair and SELF’s Mix & Mingle events to connect with professors and learn more about their specialties
- Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) and search for Experiential Learning opportunities.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Join the Students of English Literature and Film (SELF) and/or Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Society.
- Explore other relevant student clubs and activities on campus.
- Volunteer in DSL’s Alternative Reading Week program to gain experience and knowledge about social change and community development.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Watch for the English Department’s Career Paths Panel, to hear from alumni and faculty about their experiences.
- Volunteer with organizations to expand your interests — you can check listings on CLNx (Jobs & Recruitment).
- Attend the UTSC Get Experience Fair in September and register with SCSU’s Volunteer Network Program to explore opportunities.
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Take ENGB27H3 and ENGB28H3.
- Plan ahead! You will need 1.5 credits from English courses whose content is pre-1900; check the department website for current offerings.
- Use Degree Explorer to plan your courses and program.
- Meet with your Program Advisor or Supervisor to strategize for your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Attend our annual conference and read the student literary journal The Scarborough Review to get a sense of excellent research and writing.
- Further develop your general academic skills by attending workshops offered by the Academic Advising & Career Centre (AA&CC) and Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL).
Apply Theory to Practice
- Participate in SELF by volunteering in their events or running for an executive position.
- Get involved in relevant opportunities on and/or off campus (e.g., apply to Work Study, or other part-time and summer jobs on CLNx (go to Jobs & Recruitment).
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Keep an eye on the department website and social media (@utsc_engdept) to discover our calendar of events.
- Check CLNx (go to Jobs & Recruitment) to search for Work Study or volunteer positions on campus to gain experience and to get involved.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Gain experience by applying for a summer, part-time or Work Study position via CLNx (go to Jobs & Recruitment)..
- Considering grad school? Speak to professors and advisors early so you are on track.
- Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Take ENGC15H3.
- Take at least 0.5 credit in a Canadian literature course.
- Remember that 3.0 credits from English courses must be at the C-level.
- Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track with your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Do you have a big project in mind? Start thinking about whether ENGD98Y3, the Capstone Seminar and Independent Senior Essay, might be for you.
- Consider competing for the UTSC Library Undergraduate Research Prize or Poster Forum.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Consider presenting an essay at the English Undergraduate Conference - watch for the announcement of the conference theme.
- Check the English department website for writing, publishing, and awards opportunities.
- Build on your skills and knowledge through events offered through our department, student groups, the DSL, and the AA&CC.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Join the Annual English Undergraduate Conference by submitting a paper on this year’s advertised theme.
- Look into volunteering or working overseas to expand your network through International Student Centre’s (ISC) Global Learning programs.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Plan a career path with a staff member at the AA&CC.
- Check CLNx (go to Jobs & Recruitment) for networking events and employer information sessions to attend.
- Attend the Graduate & Professional School Fair in September.
- Talk to professors about how to strengthen your application for graduate school.
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Make sure you’ve completed 1.5 credits from D-level English courses.
- Check that you have fulfilled your breadth requirements.
- Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Register your “Intent to Graduate” on ACORN by the deadline.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Looking toward graduate school? Definitely take ENGD98Y3.
- Thinking about a teaching career? Check out ENGD02Y3.
- Apply for an Academic Travel Fund through DSL to research, present at a conference, or engage with the international academic community.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Submit a paper to the Sigma Tau Delta International English Conference.
- Attend the Summer & Full-Time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for relevant summer and full-time positions.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Explore opportunities to mentor new students through SELF’s advising hours and editing workshops.
- Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning to work or further education.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
- Attend a Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course” and for access to full-time job listings.
- Get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.
- Contact professors about writing reference letters.
Glossary
- AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
- CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
- CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
- CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl)
- DSL - Department of Student Life (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife)
- ISC - International Student Centre (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/utscinternational)
- NGO - Non-Governmental Organization (https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/transparency/briefing-materials/corporate-book/non-governmental-organizations.html)
- SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)
- SELF - Students of English Literature and Film (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/engdept/self-students-english-literature-and-film)
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
Location: HW 332A
Phone: 647-601-4557
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/engdept/
English Librarian
Chad Crichton
E-mail: chad.crichton@utoronto.caLocation: ARC main floor
Phone: 416-287-7492
https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/librarians
Academic Advising & Career Centre
Phone: 416-287-7561
https://utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/
Department of Student Life
Phone: 416-208-4760
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife/
Students of English Literature and Film
https://www.facebook.com/UTSCSELF
Did You Know?
Many of our faculty are active in writing, filmmaking, and other creative endeavors, inside and outside the classroom.