BA in English and Cultural Studies (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 academic level, typically in more intimate class settings.
At Level I, we provide diverse course options that enhance writing skills and introduce the fundamentals of literary and cultural analysis. ENGLISH 1F03 (The Written World), ENGLISH 1G03 (Making and Unmaking Literary Traditions), and ENGLISH 1H03 (Words in Place) examine various literary genres while exploring how they engage with, question, and reshape society. Meanwhile, ENGLISH 1CS3 (Studying Culture: A Critical Introduction) cultivates critical thinking about cultural expressions, including popular culture, social structures, daily routines, digital media, and consumer behavior.
Level II and III courses build comprehensive knowledge of key developments and concepts in Cultural Studies and English literary traditions. These include specialized studies of specific writers, literary styles, historical periods, or national literatures—from Shakespeare to Canadian works—as well as thematic explorations covering subjects like the Elizabethan era, 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 collaborative learning. These small-group sessions enable close mentorship with professors on specialized subjects. Annual seminar offerings vary, with recent examples including "Even Stranger Things: The Early Gothic"; "Renaissance Power Plays: Competition in Literature"; "Bollywood's Global Influence"; "The Digital Human Experience"; and "Canadian Graphic Storytelling".