Please visit our new Web Page: http://English.viu.ca

Welcome to the English Department.

At the heart of all English courses is a love of language: an appreciation for not only what has been written but the way in which it is written. Faculty members who teach in the English Department love reading, we get excited about words, have bizarre arguments about grammar, and the best part of teaching, for us, is sharing that joy. We offer courses in literature, composition, rhetorical skills, research methods, literary theory, and public speaking, all in one way or another devoted to increasing the linguistic and aesthetic awareness and competence of our students. In addition to exploring traditional historical periods and genres, we offer courses on literature and popular culture, science fiction and fantasy, children’s literature, and more.

“Language is crucial,” claims Anishinabe writer and educator Basil Johnston. And although he is writing specifically about the importance of preserving Aboriginal languages, his words apply to all languages. As he argues, language shapes identity and understanding, and literature expresses it: who we are, what we value, and the issues with which we struggle. The study of literature is thus the study of culture; it is interdisciplinary, and it shapes well-rounded, critically aware individuals, preparing them to be active participants in their society.

Moreover, we think and communicate primarily with words, so it is not surprising that the majority of the skills listed in The Conference Board of Canada’s “Employability Skills 2000+” document are skills that you will develop and hone in the pursuit of an English Major or Minor. Some of our graduates have gone on to professional degrees such as city planning, library science, law, and teaching; others have found employment in publishing, public relations, business, and non-profit organizations. Still others have successfully completed graduate degrees in English and have become English professors themselves.

Please explore our website, check out the courses we offer and the faculty members who teach here. Most students are required to take first-year English, but you’ll see that you have a number of choices; find a particular course and section that interests you. Then whether you are looking for an elective that involves pleasurable reading or are considering a Major or Minor in English, come back to this site for all the information you need. And if you can’t find it, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Dawn Thompson, Chair

English Department

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Updated February 28, 2012