I am going into third year in science.

I want to take an english course for myself.
It is not a pre-requisite for anything.

I do want to apply to professional school, where GPA is important, and I would hate it if I took an english course for 'fun' which ruined my GPA.

So, right now I am debating between English 2E03 (British literature, Dr. King), or a first year english course (probably 1AA3).

What would you do?
If there are other upper year courses that might be better, please let me know!

Thanks so much!

I took 1A03 this year.
Ruined my GPA (the essays...) but I really enjoyed it.
I love English, and, I think that if you like it, you should take a course.
Even if you don't do well, you can back it up by saying something along the lines of "I took a chance because I was passionate about it".
Professional schools may like that.

Might I suggest Philosophy 1C03? It's philosophy in literature, so you get to study several novels from a philosophical perspective. I really enjoyed the books and the tutorials. The lectures were a bit dry, but it was worth it for the material. It has three essays (20% each), participation (10%), and the final (30% - 2 essays + 10 short answer, fairly easy). It was fun and didn't crush my GPA. It's like a less intense english course, I guess.

I haven't taken this course, but I've heard that the fairy tales course is good...I believe it's Eng 3F03? Could be wrong...but I know people in 3rd and 4th year science who have taken it and enjoyed it.

^ I think that course was only good if a) you liked the books on the syllabus b) the "good" prof is teaching it.

Who are "good" English profs? Which courses do they teach?

Originally Posted by MCHEDDENITE

^ I think that course was only good if a) you liked the books on the syllabus b) the "good" prof is teaching it.

which course do you mean? ENGLISH 3F03 or 2E03?

and as above, who is the 'good prof'?

Originally Posted by Zebedee

Who are "good" English profs? Which courses do they teach?

The "good" English profs really depend on the person taking the class. Some people prefer different teaching styles. For instance, if you're concerned about your GPA, I would not recommend taking a class with Dr. Brophy. While she is an EXCELLENT prof, she is one of the hardest markers I have ever had. She's very tough. She dropped my midterm grade from at A- to a B last semester. :(

Dr. York is fantastic. I had her for shorter genres and loved it. Dr. Walmsley is also good. I loved Dr. Grise because she's so enthusiastic about the material, but she is a little scattered and sometimes hard to follow. Dr. Stephen is very scattered and stutters a lot... his classes are okay but not great. I have never had Dr. King but have heard he is excellent and am determined to take one of his classes before I graduate! Don't take a class with Dr. Bruce. And... that's all I can think of right now. Oh yeah, Dr. Giroux usually only teaches 4th year seminars but is teaching 1st year cultural studies this year (1CS3). I've never had him but he did guest lecture in one of my classes once. He's really awesome and has written many books on neoliberalism. If I could retake 1CS3 with him I would! I definitely recommend him, although I don't really know his teaching style or marking style.

Dr. York is teaching Shorter Genres this year. I strongly recommend you take that class.

I hope that helps. Sorry it turned into an essay!

:( What's wrong with Dr Bruce? I wanted to take Fairytales next year, but that's the prof teaching it, and I haven't heard great things. Since it'll be an elective, I don't want to take anything that will drastically bring down my average. :(

Originally Posted by Zebedee

Who are "good" English profs? Which courses do they teach?

I had Dr. Zuroski-Jenkins for English 1A03, and I'd say that she is the nicest prof I have had so far. That course was awesome. I had Dr. Brophy for 1AA3, 2M03, and 2I06, and while I really enjoy her classes, she is a tough marker and it's understandable that some people wouldn't be able to keep up/enjoy her classes. Dr. O'Connor taught 1CS3 for me and she was also a very nice lady, but for me, something got lost in translation during the lectures. I've also had Dr. Adamson and Dr. Donaldson for English 2H06 (they each took one term). While there teaching styles/reading lists were insanely different, they were both fairly good profs. Dr. Ouellette is also amazing (yet very scattered), but I don't know if he'll be teaching here again. Also, I had Dr. Narduzzi this past term for 2Z03. While the class wasn't very enjoyable, you could tell she was trying to do her best with the material she had, and she was a really nice prof.
Basically, at the lecture-level, I haven't had a bad experience with an English prof yet. As for the marking, that's a different story.

I too want to take an English course in the first semester, but I don't want to terribly hurt my GPA because I want to do the honours program. Any suggestions?

BTW, what is the average required for admission to the honours program?

Originally Posted by Alexmahone

I too want to take an English course in the first semester, but I don't want to terribly hurt my GPA because I want to do the honours program. Any suggestions?

BTW, what is the average required for admission to the honours program?

http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /CALEN...13/pg1477.html

The programs with limited seats have a required average but admission to the program usually requires much higher averages (It depends on how many people apply and what their averages are).

Originally Posted by Bug324

Might I suggest Philosophy 1C03? It's philosophy in literature, so you get to study several novels from a philosophical perspective. I really enjoyed the books and the tutorials. The lectures were a bit dry, but it was worth it for the material. It has three essays (20% each), participation (10%), and the final (30% - 2 essays + 10 short answer, fairly easy). It was fun and didn't crush my GPA. It's like a less intense english course, I guess.

Yess, Philos 1C03 was my favourite philosophy course.
I'd recommend it for sure.

& I think if you like english, then go for it

There are some pretty cool elective courses that aren't too hard, like Monsters & Magic (2r03) or Fairytales (3f03), Childrens literature (3y03), etc.

I'd much rather take an upper year course over 1A03/1AA3, those are just intro courses

Originally Posted by Zebedee

Who are "good" English profs? Which courses do they teach?

Zuroski-Jenkins is great (and really pretty). (had her for first year english)

I also really enjoy Brophy. (first year english and she also teaches 2I06 + others)

I've heard that Attewell is amazing, but I don't have her till next year (3r06, 3a03)

Bruce is alright, she just kind of talks and talks and you write it all down, she isn't too organized. But she's definitely fair and really nice, I liked Children's lit with her.

Originally Posted by jhan523

http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /CALEN...13/pg1477.html

The programs with limited seats have a required average but admission to the program usually requires much higher averages (It depends on how many people apply and what their averages are).

Thanks. Any idea if ENGLISH 1A03 is available in the fall semester?