Spring 2026 - ENGL 432W E100

Seminar in Canadian Literature (4)

Class Number: 2239

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units or two 300-division English courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Advanced seminar in Canadian literature. May be organized by author, genre, or critical approach. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:


The Kanata Classics

This is seminar course uses McClelland & Stewarts’ Kanata Classics to raise questions about Canadian Literature, Indigenous writers and writing, truth and reconciliation, colonialism, settler society, as well as form and craft. 
In 2025, McClelland & Stewart, one of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious publishers, announced that it would be publishing a series of books under a new series titled Kanata Classics to tie into the 10th anniversary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The intent, as McClelland & Stewart publisher Stephanie Sinclair stated, is to “build new programs and initiatives to honour the incredibly rich Indigenous storytelling that historically has been neglected by the traditional publishing industry” by providing “an opportunity to give voice and visibility to brilliant Indigenous and other equity deserving writers.” Kanata Series will continue in 2026 with six further books chosen for republication. This course will cover each book in year one of the Kanata Classics. 
 
The  questions of the course are:
  • What is Canadian Literature and does the Kanata series relate?
  • Where is Indigenous writing and writers in 2025?
  • How is settler colonialism represented in CanLit? 

Grading

  • Seminar Participation 10%
  • Self-location paper and presentation - 2 pages 10%
  • Lead seminar 15%
  • Seminar Essay - 4 pages 15%
  • Midterm Essay - 5 pages 20%
  • Final Paper (revision & expansion of midterm essay)- 8-10 pages 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Bear by Marian Engel 
ISBN: 0771023553

Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese
ISBN: 0771023529

NISHGA by Jordan Abel
ISBN: 0771023499

Half Breed by Maria Cambell
ISBN: 0771026927

Island by Alistair MacLeod
ISBN: 077102357X

Ru by Kim Thúy                                 
ISBN: 0771023588

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.