BA in English and Cultural Studies and Mathematics (Honours) 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 level, typically in smaller class settings.
At Level I, we provide various courses aimed at enhancing writing skills and introducing 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 diverse literary genres, emphasizing how they engage with, question, and reshape societal contexts. Meanwhile, ENGLISH 1CS3 (Studying Culture: A Critical Introduction) cultivates critical thinking about cultural expressions, from popular culture and social institutions to digital media and consumer practices.
Level II and III courses build a comprehensive foundation in Cultural Studies and English literary history. These include specialized studies of authors, genres, historical periods, or national literatures—such as Shakespeare or Canadian works—as well as thematic explorations spanning Elizabethan eras, popular culture, Indigenous futurisms, and community-based reading and writing practicums.

For Level IV Honours students, we offer seminar-style courses—intimate, discussion-driven classes that encourage deep engagement and collaborative learning. These seminars enable small groups to work directly with professors on specialized subjects. Recent offerings have included "Even Stranger Things: The Early Gothic"; "Playing, Winning, Losing: Power Dynamics in Renaissance Literature"; "Bollywood and Beyond"; "Digital Lives"; and "Graphic Narrative in Canada."