English Literature Minor

Back to Program Pathways Index Page   |   Go to Department of English Website

[Download PDF]

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.
 
Are you passionate about literature but have a lot on your plate? The Minor program offers you a flexible opportunity to build literary studies into a broader university program. You can select from a wide array of courses to create a specific area of concentration, or you can explore a range of literary topics and approaches. The critical reading and writing skills gained from our Minor will enrich any career path.
 
Complementary Programs: You can combine our Minor with a huge range of programs in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Sciences.

Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

1. 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

2. 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
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Policy Analyst (Government or NGOs)
  • Technical Writer
  • Journalist/Blogger
  • Communications Assistant

3. Further Education

  • English
  • Journalism
  • Education
  • Library and Information Science
  • Publishing
  • Law School
  • Public Relations
  • Marketing
Year 1
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY
DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS
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)
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Year 2
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY
  • Stick with B-levels, or (if you’ve completed at least 6.0 university credits, in English or elsewhere) plunge into C-levels.
  • 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

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 (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 (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 (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 3.0 credits from anywhere in English (see UTSC Calendar or our website for details).
  • Remember that 1.0 of your English credits must be from the C- or D-level.
  • Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track with your degree.
DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS
APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE
BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER
  • Plan a career path with a staff member at the AA&CC.
  • Check CLNx (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 or Final Year
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY
  • Make sure you’ve completed 0.5 credit 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
  • Contemplating a teaching career? Check out ENGD02Y3, a year-long service learning course on teaching English.
  • Use your professors’ office hours to learn about their chosen fields and research practices.
  • 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
  • Think about submitting 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.

Contacts

Did You Know

You can study almost anything in English, from Shakespeare to video games, Indigenous stories to artificial intelligence.