Hons. Bachelor of Arts in English and Cultural Studies
Hamilton, Canada
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
05 Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Studying English & Cultural Studies at McMaster will introduce you to the rich cultural storehouse that has been created over the centuries, from the earliest Old English manuscripts to the most modern examples of popular culture. It will equip you with the critical tools needed to analyze and interpret the diverse media used by writers and other creators of cultural products, as well as increasing your own powers of expression and critical thinking.
Drama, poetry, novels, short stories and critical theory all form the basis of literary study. You can examine texts from a variety of national literature, as well as exploring cultural studies, one of the fastest-growing areas of intellectual inquiry and research in the Humanities. Cultural studies examine the vital role played by popular culture in the construction and circulation of our social realities.
The Department of English and Cultural Studies also offers courses in creative writing and hosts a professional writer-in-residence, with whom students and community members are encouraged to discuss their current creative works and manuscripts.
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Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities
Most students pursue a degree in English and Cultural Studies because they find that they have an interest in literature and culture, a growing facility with language, and a strong aptitude for critical thinking. Many of our graduates go on to professions that demand proficiency in analyzing texts and in communicating ideas, such as publishing, law, journalism, library science and, in particular, teaching. As a basis for either a teaching career or graduate research, our Honours programs have a proven academic reputation. But many English graduates also enter the business world–marketing, public relations, advertising, and employee relations all demand clear, persuasive language–and some even train to become doctors and bond traders.
University degrees in the humanities are designed to foster intellectual growth and develop comprehensive faculties of reasoning and argument. They are not meant to provide narrow vocational training. Your degree is an important asset, but it is only part of your ongoing education; most graduates take further training either before they enter the job market or in the workplace itself. Your eventual choice of career will depend, in part, on the skills and knowledge you acquire at university, but also on your personality, interests and the needs of the marketplace.
The Career Planning and Employment Centre in Gilmour Hall, Room GH110, has a wealth of information on careers for English graduates and provides guidance to help you plan your future.