Faculty of Arts

Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media

The remarkable ability of story to engage, surprise, shock and move us is the foundation of our department. We are a vibrant interdisciplinary unit where students can pursue both creative and critical work in literature, film and theatre, including creative writing, performance and film or stage production. 

We aim to provide comprehensive historical coverage, to expand students’ writing skills and to promote the kind of analysis and argumentation that honours the richness of these disciplines.

Our faculty and staff
Stacks upon stacks of old hardcover books.

2025-2026 course offerings

Many courses in English, Theatre and Film are Special Topics or Honours Seminar courses where the course description changes from year to year. The course descriptions for 2025-2026 are available in Aurora. Please refer to Aurora for the current course descriptions when planning your course registrations. 

What we're up to

  • A collection of student actors dressed in 1800's period clothing.

  • The Shaughraun

    By Dion Boucicault. Directed by Dr. Bill Kerr.

    November 26-29, 2025
    Wednesday to Saturday 7:00 p.m.
    Saturday 2:00 p.m.
    John J. Conklin Theatre, Gail Asper Performing Arts Hall, 3rd floor Taché Arts Complex, 150 Dafoe Road (Fort Garry campus)

    In The Shaughraun, distance, prejudice, and their own actions separate three couples. Can the Shaughraun trick the English and the Irish turncoats so that the couples can unite? We encourage the modern audience to take sides, to hiss at villains and cheer for heroes (but no throwing things on stage!)

    Nov 26, 27 & 28 shows are SOLD OUT.Tickets still available for Nov 29 shows.

    Get your $10+fees ticket

    Read the review on UM Today

    Presented by the Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media's Theatre Program. 

  • Man wearing headphones speaking into a podcasting microphone.

  • Creating an Attention-Worthy Podcast

    A workshop with Robin Mann [BSc(Maj.)/2023, BEd/2025], host of 204 Rise

    Thursday, December 4, 2025
    4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
    233 University College building (Faculty of Arts Media Lab)

    This hands-on session explores how to captivate an audience through story and structure, transforming a simple conversation into a show that hooks listeners and drives real engagement. 

    You’ll learn: 

    • How to identify and communicate the core story or idea behind your podcast.
    • Psychological storytelling techniques that build emotional connection and listener retention.
    • How to structure episodes for clarity, momentum, and reach.
    • The secret to making people care — and come back — week after week.
    • Real-world breakdowns of viral moments and what made them work.

    No prior experience required.

    Robin Mann [BSc(Maj.)/2023, BEd/2025] is the co-founder and host of 204 Rise, one of Manitoba’s leading podcasts spotlighting creators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. He is also the founder of Prize Media, a full-service podcast production agency that has collaborated with some of the world’s top podcasters.

    Register for this free event

     

From page to policy: An English grad’s path to law school

Blending critical thinking with a passion for justice, this grad’s studies and activities have led her to the legislative sphere

Reflecting on her undergraduate journey, Spring 2025 Bachelor of Arts graduate Emma Winram [BA/2025] shares how her studies went hand in hand with her extracurricular activities and how they have led her to the next exciting chapter in her life. The Faculty of Arts caught up with Winram to ask about her time in in the Faculty of Arts and what’s ahead.

Read the article on UM Today

“Degree Top Three” with 2025 theatre and film grad Chance Sabados

When he started university, Chance Sabados [BA/2025] did not imagine he would end up graduating with a degree in theatre. He planned on attending the UM pre-vet program, but an Introduction to Theatre class he took early in his degree made him re-evaluate and change course. This spring, Chance will graduate with a major in theatre and a minor in film studies. Chance, an artist who, throughout his degree, honed his skills in acting, directing, writing, set design and stage management took the time to answer our “Degree Top Three” questionnaire, offering a glimpse into his creative journey in the Faculty of Arts.

Read the article on UM Today

Research Spotlight:
Queer Kinship Structures in Epic Fantasy and Online Fandom Communities

Dr. Erin Keating and honours student Anastasia Christodoulou have a video conversation about Books One and Three of Steven Erikson’s [BA/80] epic fantasy series, Malazan Book of the Fallen. Based on research they conducted alongside two graduate research assistants over the summer, this video looks at two characters from the series, Silverfox and The Mhybe, through the lens of queer theory and queer reproduction.

Watch the video

If you’re interested in doing more public-facing scholarship as part of your degree, the Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media might be the place for you. 

Learn more about our degree offerings

Identity and Poetics of Ukrainian Canadian Literature

We are pleased to share that the conference Identity and Poetics of Ukrainian Canadian Literature took place on March 14 and was a great success. The event brought together scholars, writers, and community members to engage in meaningful discussions on the literary contributions of Ukrainian Canadians and their role in shaping cultural identity.

This success would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our speakers, participants, and organizers. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed, especially our sponsors—the Shevchenko Foundation, the Canadian Foundation for Ukrainian Studies, and the Faculty of Arts at the University of Manitoba, the Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media, the Department of German and Slavic Studies —whose generous support helped make this event possible.

To learn more about the conference or future projects related to Global Ukrainian Canadian Studies contact Prof. Mariya Shymchyshyn
 

View Conference Brochure  

View Conference program

Headshot of Emma Winram.
Man standing in front a bunch of bushes, holding a small, brown dog in his arms.
A professor and a student, both smiling, sitting in front of an office bookshelf full of books.
Attendees of the Ukrainian Canadian Literature Conference

Programs of study

Student resources and opportunities

Research

  • Research areas

    • Medieval literature
    • Early modern literature
    • Restoration and 18th century literature
    • Victorian literature
    • Romantic literature
    • Modernism and early 20th century literature
    • 20th century and contemporary literature
    • Postmodernism

  •  

    • Critical theory
    • Post-colonial and world literatures
    • Canadian literature
    • American literature
    • Bibliography and book history
    • Creative writing
    • Film
    • Theatre  

  • Affiliated research areas

    Our department has close affiliations with the following:

Contact us

Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media
620 Fletcher Argue Building
15 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

english@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9678
204-474-7669