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ENGL 251Literary Theory and Criticism

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
English

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 4 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

What exactly are we doing when we study literature? By examining a selection of critical methods and theoretical approaches, this course will enhance understanding of the many different emphases, values, and priorities critics bring to literature, and the many available perspectives on what constitutes literature's significance.

Prerequisites

  • Students must be in level 2A or higher

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001369017 / 25M 18:30–21:20
LEC 002423423 / 25TTh 14:30–15:50

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00134370 / 25MW 13:00–14:20
LEC 08135170 / 25Online or by arrangement
LEC 701130323 / 9999Online or by arrangement
LEC 702120017 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

59% liked it50% easy82% useful

From 17 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • I learned a lot - extremely foundational and gave me a new lens to look at literature with especially in regard to form. I became much better at close reading! Ended course with a 90 in Dr. Graham's class.

    Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I wouldn't have taken the class if I didn't need it, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. Some of the texts were very fun to read and engage with, and some of the class discussions were super interesting too. I think a lot of praise has to go to the prof, who did a lot of work to make a topic like literary criticism engaging.

    Aug 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This class is good if you are into studying texts and reading them in depth beyond symbolic and metaphorical story elements. It's a cool skill to have when reading and recognizing patterns and tricks that writers use in their writing. The professor makes or breaks this class, so be cautious of that (if it's Chad Wriglesworth, TAKE IT!!!).

    Sep 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Lots of continental philosophy and the readings were often really tough to digest.

    Dec 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Online is difficult

    Jul 2020 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

7 posts and comments in 5 threads mention ENGL 251, September 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2021

Any English courses you really liked or didn't like? 4 points, 19 comments

“Hey all! Just wondering if there are any ENGL courses that are particularly worth taking, maybe because of the prof or content, and any courses that should be avoided! …”

u/capp256: “… content good prof in person (had Kate Lawson as prof) ENGL 109 was easy content good online ENGL 251 was useful content and mediocre online”

u/drowninginplath: “… Not a fan of online ENGL 251 though -- took it with Dr. Neal. The content was interesting, but it was way too much work, and the grading process lacked clarity. …”

u/drowninginplath: “… ENGL 251 with Dr. Neal (online): my TA (sarah currie) was very nice, and the course was interesting, but if I could go back in time, I'd just wait and take it in person. ENGL 306A with Prof Harris (online): absolutely amazing. …”

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Fall 2020

RMPC upper years, how would you rate the program? 5 points, 4 comments

“Looking to major in Rhetoric, Media and Professional Communication. Went to UW wanting to go into psychology, realized I was barking up the wrong tree. …”

u/Lil-Shiro: “… Least favourite classes so far: ENGL 251, ENGL 306A 4. I’m doing the Digital Arts Communication (DAC) minor and a specialization in technical writing. …”

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Spring 2018

Fall 2017

Advice on course planning (CS) 0 points, 9 comments

“Courses that I'm currently planning to take each semester: https://imgur.com/a/5kkY5   Context: I'm in this weird situation where I got a bunch of transfer credits for non-math courses and got …”

[deleted]: [deleted]

u/Slayingshot: “… Another problem is that if I move math 237 and engl 251 to later on, I have no good courses to take in 2B because all the upper-year courses are still locked by prerequisites. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar