BA in English and Cultural Studies in Hamilton Canada | McMaster University

Our Honours and Bachelor of Arts programs are structured to provide increasingly focused exploration of English literature and Cultural Studies as you advance through each academic level, typically in more intimate class settings.
At Level I, we provide diverse course options that enhance writing skills and introduce the principles of literary and cultural analysis. ENGLISH 1F03 (The Written World), ENGLISH 1G03 (Making and Unmaking Literary Traditions), and ENGLISH 1H03 (Words in Place) examine varied literary genres while exploring how they engage with, question, and reshape society. Meanwhile, ENGLISH 1CS3 (Studying Culture: A Critical Introduction) cultivates analytical thinking about cultural expressions, including popular culture, social structures, daily routines, digital spaces, and consumerism.
Level II and III courses establish a comprehensive foundation in Cultural Studies and English literary traditions. These include specialized studies of specific writers, literary styles, historical periods, or national canons—such as Shakespearean works or Canadian literature—as well as thematic explorations spanning Elizabethan England, contemporary popular culture, Indigenous futurist visions, and community-based literary practicums.
For Level IV Honours students, we offer seminar-style courses featuring weekly interactive discussions that encourage thorough examination and lively exchange. These small-group seminars enable close collaboration with professors on specialized subjects. Annual offerings vary, with recent topics including "Even Stranger Things: The Early Gothic"; "Power Plays in Renaissance Literature"; "Bollywood's Global Influence"; "The Digital Human Experience"; and "Canadian Graphic Storytelling".