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LITERATURE. LANGUAGE. RHETORIC.
Welcome to the Department of English
We offer students the opportunity to study the properties and powers of language—the fundamental means by which we communicate our values, our ideals and vision.
English is not just about the rhetorical and creative aspects of literature. It’s about examining culture in the context of history, culture, psychology, sociology, philosophy, linguistics, and more.
Our program begins with an introduction to language and literature in which instructors focus on the basics of literary reading, discussion, and writing. In second year, we teach broad overviews and surveys of literary genres, periods, theory, and other topics. Third and fourth year involve the close study of major works, periods, and topics in literature from the British, American, Canadian, Diasporic and Global Anglophone traditions. In addition, we offer a variety of special courses in topics such as rhetoric, the history of language, literary theory, gender, children’s literature, the digital humanities, and creative writing.
By studying English, you will learn how we use language in the world at large, as well as consider the functions, structures and significance of literature over time. The program provides you with an excellent foundation for a career in virtually any professional capacity due to the cross-disciplinary knowledge base you will develop in the program.
Graduate supervision is available in either English (Masters) or the University's interdisciplinary Cultural, Social, and Political Thought program (Masters and PhD). We have a particularly active cohort of graduate students in the digital humanities, language, and medieval/textual studies in our Humanities Innovation Lab.
Find out more about getting your degree in English.
Apply Now!
Department Highlights
Students, Alumni, Faculty network established on Linked-In
Some faculty, students, and alumni of the English department have set up a new network on Linked-In. The goal is to bring together current students with recent (and not-so-recent) alumni in order to share skills, interests, and stories. And hopefully find some old and new friends.
If you are interested in joining, please visit our group on Linked-In.
Grad students in Humanities Innovation Lab publish article on AI and student writing
Graduate Students Davide Pafumi, Frank Onuh, Iftekhar Khalid, and Morgan Pearce have combined with Barbara Bordalejo and Daniel O'Donnell to publish an article on the impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on commonly-used writing tools in the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education.
The paper, which was developed from a project under the supervision of Dr. Bordalejo, compares tools and assesses their impact by using them on texts written prior to the advent of popular chatbots such as ChatGPT. The paper is part of a larger series of projects by students in the Department's Humanities Innovation Lab.
Chasing the Muse: A Short Story Slam
Students will have approximately 8 hours to complete a short story based on a theme (to be provided on the day). Winner will be announced at the English Department's Open Mic in April 2025.
Theme: It's a Surprise!
When: Friday, February 28, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Where: Andy's Place (AH-100)
Limited spaces available, so if interested register early by sending an e-mail to david.kootnikoff@uleth.ca.
The Department notes, with the deepest respect, the passing of Professor John Woods in August 2024. Professor Woods served as External Chair of the Department of English from 1996 until 2006. He provided, through his firm guidance and direction, crucial stability and control during this important period of transition.
Dr. Goldie Mortentaler wins prestigious award
Congratulations to Dr. Goldie Morgentaler.
Dr. Goldie Morgentaler was one of seven recipients of The Canadian Jewish Literary Awards for 2024. She won this award for her translation of "In the Land of the Postscript: The Complete Short Stories of Chava Rosenfarb". This collection makes available for the first time a complete selection of Chava Rosenfarb's short tories in English (translated from Yiddish).
Dr. Goldie Morgentaler is Professor Emerita of English Literature at the University of Lethbridge.
Open Mic Sessions
Our Open Mic Session in September 2024 was a huge success! More information about 2025 is coming soon, Stay Tuned!. Note: Open Mic sessions will run from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. (AH100).
Shining Student Indie MacGarva
Meet Indie MacGarva, an English major at ULethbridge whose journey is fuelled by a love for storytelling and a determination to carve out her path in publishing.
Read more
Dr. David Kootnikoff, Instructor of English, Faculty of Arts & Science
Dr. David Kootnikoff is a dedicated scholar who earned three master's before completing a doctoral degree. He has taught and worked as a journalist in Japan and Hong Kong.
Read more
Shining Student Nicola Alvarez
Nicola Alvarez credits professors for pushing her toward a level of success she had never dreamed of and a path that includes research and work in the realm of emerging Filipino literature and Filipino …
Read more
Career Bridge: Centre for Work-Integrated Learning and Career Development
Put Your Knowledge to Work
Whether you’re looking for a more in-depth learning experience by assisting with research projects on campus or by testing your knowledge in a real-life work setting, we can help! The University of Lethbridge is proud to offer you an exceptional opportunity to explore professional development through academic programs and services designed to give you a competitive edge in a fast-changing world.
You have a bright future — experience it via Career Bridge at uLethbridge!
News
Chasing the Muse: A Short Story Slam
Jan. 31, 2025…
Fri, Feb 28, 2025 4:00 pm to 11:59 pmStudents will have approximately eight hours to complete a short story based on a theme (to be provided on the day). Winner will be announced at the English Department's Open Mic in April 2025.
Theme: It's a Surprise!
When: Friday, February, 28, 2025
Time: 4 p.m. to midnight
Where: Andy's Place (AH100)
Pizza will be provided.
Limited spaces available, so if you are interested you can register early and secure a spot by sending an email to david.kootnikoff@uleth.ca.
AH100 - Andy's PlaceRoom or Area: AH100 - Andy's PlaceRachelle Wieberachelle.wiebe@uleth.ca(403) 329-2235CompetitionSpecial EventFaculty of Arts and ScienceEnglish Campus Community
ULethbridge Film Series presents: Chameleon Street
Jul. 5, 2024…
Wed, Feb 26, 2025 7:30 pm to 9:30 pmCHAMELEON STREET
(Wendell B. Harris Jr. / USA / 1989)
Hosted by Dr. David Hobbs (English)
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Movie Mill, 7:30 p.m.
$5 students/youth | $8 adults
A bored man reinvents himself as a charismatic and cunning social chameleon, impersonating various identities for money.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1990 Sundance Film Festival.
“It evinces the rarest thing: a personal sensibility almost completely unrelated to the popular methods of commercial filmmaking - methods that typically seek to ingratiate a film’s characters and events into audiences’ goodwill.” - Armond White, The Resistance: Ten Years of Pop Culture That Shook Up The World
Rated 14A for coarse language.
View the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad1KSsGhRa8&t=14s
Off CampusRoom or Area: The Movie MillAaron Tayloraaron.taylor2@uleth.cahttps://www.ulethbridge.ca/fine-arts/ulethbridge-film-seriesuLethbridge film seriesFaculty of Fine ArtsEnglish Campus CommunityULethbridge Film Series returns for the 2024/25 academic year
Jul. 5, 2024The ULethbridge Film Series returns with a diverse slate of thought-provoking films for the 2024/25 academic year. Running …
The ULethbridge Film Series returns with a diverse slate of thought-provoking films for the 2024/25 academic year. Running twice monthly from September to April, join us on Wednesday nights for an engaging evening of film and conversation with ULethbridge faculty members from across campus.
Students and youth can take part for $5 a show, adults are $8. All films will be shown at The Movie Mill, located at 1710 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. in Lethbridge.
The ULethbridge Film Series is excited to present 14 fims for the 2024/25 season:
September 11, 2024Anatomy of a Fall September 25, 2024
No October 9, 2024
Farador October 23, 2024
The Lego Movie November 6, 2024
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom November 20, 2024
River's Edge December 4, 2024
Bungalow January 15, 2025
Army of Darkness January 29, 2025
Le Colonel Chabert February 12, 2025
Pan's Labyrinth February 26, 2025
Chameleon Street March 12, 2025
Poor Things March 26, 2025
Ten Canoes April 2, 2025
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Learn more about the ULethbridge Film Series: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/fine-arts/ulethbridge-film-series
ULethbridge Film Series-2024-25.pdfAaron Tayloraaron.taylor2@uleth.cahttps://www.ulethbridge.ca/fine-arts/ulethbridge-film-seriesFilmuLethbridge film seriesArchaeologyEnvironmental ScienceModern Languages & LinguisticsIndigenous StudiesNew MediaNeurosciencePsychology Faculty of Fine ArtsFaculty of Arts and ScienceGeographyEnglish DramaCampus Community