Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - ENGL 494 D100

Honors Research and Methods Seminar (4)

Class Number: 3036

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Permission of the department, plus normally a minimum of 90 units, including credit or standing in two 100-division English courses, two 200-division English courses, and four 300 or 400-division English courses, one of which must be ENGL 364.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students enrolled in the English honours program to the basic methodological issues and procedures that define the field, and provides them with the opportunity to work with a faculty supervisor in researching a specific topic for their honours graduating essay.

COURSE DETAILS:

The Honours Research and Methods Seminar consists of two parts. Part 1 (worth 40% of your final grade) consists of a weekly pro-seminar led by the English Department Undergraduate Chair. This class introduces practical and theoretical strategies for undertaking an advanced program of literary research and writing and does so in an exacting but supportive environment. Part 2 (60%) consists of regular meetings with your faculty supervisor to discuss your research and writing. I assign your grade for Part 1; your supervisor assigns your grade for Part 2. Upon completion of this semester’s work, you will move on to English 496, in which you will write your actual Honours project under the direction of your supervisor and second reader (i.e, 496 doesn’t have a “class” component, and I drop out of the process).

Grading

NOTES:

Your final grade for this class is determined collaboratively between your Honours supervisor and myself. Rather than assigning individual marks for your work, I will discuss with you in class my sense of its strengths and needs. If you miss more than one meeting, it may affect my portion of your final grade. This class does not work if we can't rely on your presence every single week we're scheduled to meet.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Eric Hayot, The Elements of Academic Style. University of Chicago Press, 2014. Available in print at the SFU bookstore. Also available in digital form.

Supplied PDFs.

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.