English Department
Become a skilled reader. Learn to write with power and passion. Study English at CapU to sharpen your critical thinking skills and enliven your understanding of local and global cultures.
Why study English at Capilano University?
Cultural literacy is increasingly important in our highly connected world. And the ability to analyze and interpret written information is a vital skill for career success.
At CapU, you’ll study the rich traditions of literature that have deeply shaped past and present cultures. You’ll explore what happens when you imagine the lives of others. And you’ll learn the arts of persuasion that guide good writing in and outside of university. In small, discussion-oriented classes, you'll develop skills in literary analysis, genre analysis, cultural studies and other critical practices.
Many CapU English courses meet the university’s Cap Core requirements. Their breadth provides both practical skills and aesthetic awareness.
Careers and further education
Students of English have gone on to a wide variety of careers including education, law, media/publishing, advertising, public policy and librarianship. The department’s focus on locally- and globally- relevant social and historical content means students bring significant cultural fluency to an increasingly knowledge-based and international economy.
CapU Associate degrees in English and creative writing are designed to stand on their own as employer-recognizable qualifications, but graduates can progress to our Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies program or transfer directly to the third year of related Bachelor programs at other BC universities.
English programs
CapU Associate degrees in English and creative writing are designed to stand on their own as employer-recognizable qualifications, but graduates can progress to our Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies program or transfer directly to the third year of related bachelor programs at other BC universities.
Our Associate of Arts degree - English provides a comprehensive foundation of courses in the Arts and Sciences with a literature specialization. The Associate of Arts degree - Creative Writing guides students to produce original content in a variety of genres including poetry, fiction, drama, screenwriting, hybrid-genres, creative non-fiction and digital media.
English courses
English courses are open to all students and most meet the University's Cap Core requirements.
- Composition courses teach essential reading, thinking, and communication skills.
- Literature courses examine the major genres, as well as new media and film.
- Creative writing courses involve the study and production of literary and non-literary texts.
See English Courses - Fall 2021 (pdf) for information about our Fall course offerings and topics.
- ENGL 010 Language Skills
- ENGL 100 University Writing Strategies
- ENGL 103 Introduction to Literature
- ENGL 107 Indigenous Literature and Film
- ENGL 109 Literature and Contemporary Culture
- ENGL 112 Reading, Writing, Dialogue: Entering Global Conversations
- ENGL 190 Introduction to Creative Writing
- ENGL 191 Creative Writing: Contemporary Practices
- ENGL 200 Literature in English from Beowulf to Paradise Lost
- ENGL 201 Literature in English after Paradise Lost
- ENGL 203 Canadian Literature
- ENGL 205 Modern American Literature
- ENGL 207 Literary Theory and Criticism
- ENGL 208 Studies in Fiction
- ENGL 213 World Literature in English
- ENGL 217 Literature on the Edge
- ENGL 218 The Art of Children's Literature
- ENGL 219 Reel Lit: Literature into Film
- ENGL 220 Research Voices: Clarity and Style for the Academic Writer
- ENGL 260 Writing Communities
- ENGL 290 Creative Writing: Letter and Line
- ENGL 291 Creative Writing: Narrative Fictions
- ENGL 292 Creative Writing: Children's Literature
- ENGL 293 Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction
- ENGL 295 Special Topics in Creative Writing
- ENGL 296 Creative Writing: Writing for the Stage
- ENGL 300 Writing, Rhetoric, Style
- ENGL 301 Studies in Rhetoric
- ENGL 302 Studies in British Columbian Literature
- ENGL 305 Special Topics in Canadian Literature
- ENGL 308 Studies in British Literature
- ENGL 311 Studies in American Literature
- ENGL 314 Studies in National Literatures
- ENGL 317 Traditions in Western Literature
- ENGL 320 Global Literatures
- ENGL 323 Special Topics in Genre
- ENGL 326 Traditions in Poetry
- ENGL 329 Literature and Performance
- ENGL 332 Literature and Politics
- ENGL 338 Literature and Media
- ENGL 341 Literature and Visual Culture
- ENGL 344 Literature and the Environment
- ENGL 352 Before Literature: Topics in Literary History I
- ENGL 353 Inventions of Literature: Topics in Literary History II
- ENGL 354 Literary Transformations: Topics in Literary History III
- ENGL 356 Special Topics in American Literature, 1620-1865
- ENGL 357 Special Topics in American Literature, 1865-1970
- ENGL 358 Special Topics in Contemporary Literature
- ENGL 359 Indigenous Literatures
- ENGL 363 Words in The World I: Genre and Form
- ENGL 365 Words in the World II: Cultures, Networks and Traditions
- ENGL 367 Land School
- ENGL 369 Foundations in Writing Pedagogy
- ENGL 390 Advanced Poetry and Poetics
- ENGL 391 Advanced Narrative Forms
- ENGL 392 Creative Writing: Creative Travel Writing
- ENGL 393 Creative Writing: Advanced Practices
- ENGL 394 Creative Writing: Performance
- ENGL 395 Creative Writing: Special Topics
- ENGL 398 Creative Writing in the Digital Age
- ENGL 399 Multi-Genre Creative Writing
- ENGL 400 Major Authors
- ENGL 410 Topics in Twentieth-Century Literature
- ENGL 420 Special Topics in Literary Theory
- ENGL 435 Electronic Literature
- ENGL 463 Words in the World III: Critical and Creative Formations
- ENGL 464 Capstone Project
- ENGL 465 Words in the World Practicum
- ENGL 466 Directed Reading
- ENGL 467 Honours Thesis
- ENGL 490 Directed Studies
- ENGL 491 Creative Writing: Directed Studies
Student opportunities
From writing for our literary magazine The Liar to winning awards, there are many opportunities open to students of English at CapU. The department also offers events throughout the year including visiting writers' readings.
Check out student resources below to find help with writing assignments or preparing for the English Diagnostic Test.
Scholarships, awards & prizes
A number of scholarships and awards are available to English students. Visit Scholarships, Bursaries & Awards to apply.
The current awards available to students of English include:
- Lady Alice Sorila-Rothberg Memorial Scholarship – Fall
- Third and Fourth Year English Scholarship - Spring
- Dorothy E. Gould Scholarship – Spring
- Lucille Fisher Memorial Scholarship – Spring
- Sandra Isabel McArthur Brouwer Award – Spring
The English department also awards a number of prizes in the form of cash grants. In most cases, instructors nominate candidates for these prizes, which include:
- Department of English Student Vision Prize
- English 100 Prize for Research Essay – Fall
- English 100 Prize for Research Essay - Spring
- First Year Literature Essay Prize – Fall/Spring
- Second Year Literature Award – Spring
Student resources
Instructors from the English department are available on a drop-in basis at CapU’s Writing Centre to help students plan or polish their written assignments.
The Writing Centre also offers help to students preparing for CapU’s English Diagnostic Test at How to Prepare for the EDT.
Adèle Barclay BA (Hons), MA, PhD
English InstructorSchool of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
604 986 1911 ext. 3031
Fir Building, room FR404
adelebarclay@capilanou.ca
Alana Gerecke BA (Hons), MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
School of Humanities
604 984 4957 ext. 4957
Fir Building, room FR404
alanagerecke@capilanou.ca
Alicia Fahey BA (Hons), B.Ed., MA, PhD
English InstructorFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
School of Humanities
604 986 1911 ext. 3033
Fir Building, room FR404
aliciafahey@capilanou.ca
Alison Dean
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 984 4957 ext. 4957
Fir Building, room FR404
Alisondean@capilanou.ca
Andrea Actis BA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
604 986 1911 ext. 3438
Fir Building, room FR404
andreaactis@capilanou.ca
Anne Stone BA (Hons), MA
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities - English
School of Humanities
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
604 986 1911 ext. 2425
Fir Building, room FR404
astone@capilanou.ca
Brian Ganter
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Social Sciences
Women's & Gender Studies
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Motion Picture Arts
School of Humanities - English
School of Humanities
604 986 1911 ext. 7292
Fir Building, room FR404
bganter@capilanou.ca
Brook Houglum BA, MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
School of Humanities
604 986 1911 ext. 7310
Fir Building, room FR404
bhouglum@capilanou.ca
Carlos Reyes BA, MA, PhD
Summer Coordinator Human./Inst., EnglishSchool of Humanities
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 2403
Fir Building, room FR404
creyes@capilanou.ca
Cassidy Picken BA (Hons), MA, PhD
Instructor, English, Coordinator, Interdisciplinary StudiesFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 3474
Fir Building, room FR404
cassidypicken@capilanou.ca
Dara Greaves BA (Hons), PhD
Instructor, Writing Centre ConvenorSchool of Humanities - Writing Centre
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts
604 986 1911 ext. 2026
Fir Building, room FR404
daragreaves@capilanou.ca
Erika Behrisch BA, MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities - English
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
604 984 4957 ext. 4957
Fir Building, room FR404
erikabehrisch@capilanou.ca
Hande Gurses BA, MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities - English
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
604 984 4957 ext. 4957
Fir Building, room FR404
handegurses@capilanou.ca
Ian Cresswell BA (Hons), MA, Dip, M.Litt, LPC
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 2317
Fir Building, room FR404
iancresswell@capilanou.ca
Jenny Penberthy BA, MA, PhD
Faculty EmeritusSchool of Humanities - English
English for Academic Purposes
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
jpenbert@capilanou.ca
Kenneth Huynh BA, BEd, MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 984 4957 ext. 4957
Fir Building, room FR404
kenhuynh@capilanou.ca
Kent Lewis BA, MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 2422
Fir Building, room FR404
klewis@capilanou.ca
Leah Bailly BFA, MFA, PhD
Instructor, Engl, Creative Writing ConvFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 3677
Fir Building, room FR404
leahbailly@capilanou.ca
Mandy Koolen BA, MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Social Sciences
Women's & Gender Studies
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 2498
Fir Building, room FR404
mandykoolen@capilanou.ca
Patricia Tatum
Divisional SupervisorSchool of Humanities
School of Humanities - Art History
School of Humanities - Chinese
School of Humanities - English
School of Humanities - French
School of Humanities - History
School of Humanities - Japanese
School of Humanities - Language Resource Centre
School of Humanities - Linguistics
School of Humanities - Philosophy
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - Spanish
School of Humanities - Writing Centre
604 984 1713 ext. 1713
Fir Building, room FR404
ptatum@capilanou.ca
Pierre Coupey
Faculty EmeritusEnglish for Academic Purposes
School of Humanities - English
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
pcoupey@capilanou.ca
Rae Nickolichuk
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
604 986 1911 ext. 2289
Fir Building, room FR404
rnickoli@capilanou.ca
Reg Johanson BA, MA
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
School of Humanities
604 986 1911 ext. 2428
Fir Building, room FR438
rjohanso@capilanou.ca
Rob Bittner
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
604 984 4957 ext. 4957
Fir Building, room FR404
robertbittner@capilanou.ca
Roger Farr BA (Hons), MA
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 2291
Fir Building, room FR404
rfarr@capilanou.ca
Ryan Knighton BA (Hons), MA
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 984 4957 ext. 4957
Fir Building, room FR404
rknighto@capilanou.ca
Sandra Bishop
DDA 1, HumanitiesSchool of Humanities
History
School of Humanities - Art History
School of Humanities - Language Resource Centre
School of Humanities - Japanese
School of Humanities - Linguistics
School of Humanities - Philosophy
School of Humanities - Spanish
School of Humanities - Writing Centre
School of Humanities - Chinese
School of Humanities - English
School of Humanities - French
604 986 1911 ext. 7151
Fir Building, room FR404
sbishop@capilanou.ca
Sheila Ross BA, MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 3469
Fir Building, room FR404
sross2@capilanou.ca
Steven Weber
Instructor, EnglishFaculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 7150
Fir Building, room FR404
stevenweber@capilanou.ca
Tetsuro Shigematsu
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 3588
Fir Building, room FR404
tetsuroshigematsu@capilanou.ca
Tim Acton BA (Hons), MA, PhD
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities
Capilano University Faculty Association
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 2402
Fir Building, room FR404
tacton@capilanou.ca
Victoria Ross BA (Hons), MA
Instructor, EnglishSchool of Humanities
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Humanities - English
604 986 1911 ext. 2426
Fir Building, room FR404
vross@capilanou.ca
Contact
Have questions about this department?
English
604 984 4957, ext. 4957 Fir Building, room FR404 humanities@capilanou.ca
Student Information Services
604 984 4900 604 984 1798 (fax) Library Building, room LB152 registration@capilanou.ca