Listed below are the course policies that are shared by all Department of English undergraduate courses. For course specific information, please refer to the course syllabus provided by the instructor.
Department of English Statement on Attendance and Participation
English courses at the University of Toronto offer a distinctive sense of community, as they aim to foster opportunities both to listen and to be heard. While the requirements of individual instructors and the constraints and opportunities of various courses may differ significantly, the Department of English expects regular, prompt attendance in all courses and active participation when appropriate. Lectures and in-class discussions provide the foundation and context for all written assignments and other forms of evaluation.
By promoting both oral and written proficiency, the English program offers students a set of broadly effective professional and social skills. Regular attendance and informed participation demonstrate a commitment to fellow students and to the ideal of a shared educational experience.
Academic Integrity
All students, faculty and staff are expected to follow the University's guidelines and policies on academic integrity. For students, this means following the standards of academic honesty when writing assignments, collaborating with fellow students, and writing tests and exams. Ensure that the work you submit for grading represents your own honest efforts. Plagiarism—representing someone else's work as your own or submitting work that you have previously submitted for marks in another class or program—is a serious offence that can result in sanctions. All suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be investigated following the procedures outlined in the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. If you have any questions about what is or is not permitted in your course, speak to your instructor or your TA for advice.
To learn more about how to cite and use source material appropriately and for other writing support, see the U of T writing support website. For more information, please see Student Academic Integrity website.
The Use of Generative AI Tools
The use of generative artificial intelligence tools and apps is strictly prohibited in all course assignments unless explicitly stated otherwise by the instructor. This includes ChatGPT and any other AI writing and coding assistants. Use of generative AI in the course may be considered use of an unauthorized aid, which is a violation of the university's academic integrity protocols.
Student Absences
As of September 2023, the University has updated the guidelines for declaring absences in ACORN. Students may use the ACORN Absence Declaration Tool to declare an absence once per academic term (e.g., the fall term) for a maximum period of seven consecutive calendar days:
Learn more about the Absence Declaration Tool on ACORN
Additionally, the Faculty of Arts & Science provides a detailed information page about student absences, including what students should do if they exceed the allowable absence declaration limit or are absent after the last day of classes in a term:
Learn more about student absences in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Students with Accommodation Requirements
If you have an acute or ongoing disability issue or accommodation need, you can register with Accessibility Services (AS) at the beginning of the academic year. Without registration, you will not be able to verify your situation with your instructors, and instructors will not be advised about your accommodation needs. AS will assess your situation, develop an accommodation plan with you, and support you in requesting accommodation for your course work. Remember that the process of accommodation is private: AS will not share details of your needs or condition with any instructor, and your instructors will not reveal that you are registered with AS.
Writing Centres in Arts & Science
You are eligible to work with the writing centre at the college or campus where you’re registered.
- Innis College Writing Centre, Innis College, Rooms 315 and 321.
- New College Writing Centre, Wilson Hall, Rooms 2045 and 2047.
- St. Michael’s Writing Centre, Kelly Library Learning Commons.
- Trinity College Writing Centre, Trinity College, Academic Resource Centre, Room 3.
- University College Writing Centre, University College, Rooms 259E, 259F, and 259G.
- Victoria College Writing Centre, Online and telephone appointments only during the pandemic.
- Woodsworth College Academic Writing Centre, Woodsworth College, Room 107.
- Advice on Academic Writing including Using Sources, which features "How Not to Plagiarize"
- Support for multilingual students is available through the Faculty of Arts & Science’s English Language Learning program.
Research Help
- Visit the University of Toronto libraries website to search for online and print resources and request material from different libraries.
- Contact Benjamin Walsh, User Services Librarian for English Language & Literature
- Use ASK: Chat with a Librarian (online service).