English
Jessica Baldanzi, Assistant Professor of EnglishSkip Barnett, Associate Professor of EnglishBeth Birky, Department Chair, Professor of EnglishJulianne Bruneau, Assistant Professor of EnglishAnn Hostetler, Professor of English -Spring SabbaticalKyle Schlabach, Assistant Professor of English Introduction
The English department offers two majors and three minors:
Visit the English department Web site at www.goshen.edu/english/Home.
The English department fosters skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing,
as well as literary analysis, criticism, theory, and language use. We pay
particular attention to the contexts of literary creation – cultural, philosophical,
historical, aesthetic, and rhetorical. Literature courses teach the historical
narrative of western and nonwestern literature along with the analytical skills
required to study authors, genres, and literary and cultural topics in depth.
In both survey and seminar courses, we teach the theoretical framework and
critical apparatus involved in interpreting texts. We are committed to examining
both the production of and response to literature in diverse cultural contexts
and offering a range of interdisciplinary courses featuring national and global
literary traditions. Writing courses teach the expository, creative, and research
writing strategies needed for students to express themselves professionally
and personally. While developing skills in purposeful thinking, logical organization,
and clear expression, students also have opportunities to share their writing
through publication or public presentation. Language courses teach historical
and sociological frameworks for language development, as well as a respect
for both the power and limits of language as a social and artistic tool.
Students choosing the major in English may customize their degree by selecting
electives to create an emphasis in, for example, creative writing or the literatures
of ethnicity, gender, and race. The English minor offers students the opportunity
to hone their analytical and writing skills, as well as increase their understanding
of and appreciation for literature. The writing minor enables students to expand
and mature their abilities as authors of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction;
students considering a Masters in Fine Arts degree in creative writing choose
courses with an academic adviser to emphasize a particular area of expertise.
The TESOL major prepares students within a strong intercultural framework
for certification to teach English as a New Language (ENL) in public schools
and elsewhere. The TESOL minor provides students with the fundamental skills
needed to be successful teachers of English to speakers of other languages
in situations other than the public school system (for example, in service
work abroad). The TESOL certificate may be earned by students with a minimum
background of one year of college and skill in a second language equal to
102-college level; coursework for the certificate is usually completed in
one year.
Every year the department brings a distinguished visiting writer to campus
to host an intensive week-long writing workshop for a small group of students.
Extracurricular opportunities in publishing include writing, editing, and
producing student work through Broadside, Pinchpenny Press, and the
Horswell Fellowship.
Honors thesis
Students who wish to complete a major scholarly or creative project as part
of their English major may enroll in a three-credit hour independent study specially
designed for this purpose. The prerequisites for the independent study are as
follows: minimum GPA of 3.8 in English department courses; English 204; English
300; for literary research projects, two upper-level literature courses; for
creative writing projects, two creative writing courses; for TESOL projects,
English 310 or English 315, and English 320. The independent study must be taken
in the fall of the student’s senior year, be approved by the department in the
previous spring, and include research in the intervening summer. The independent
study will be given a letter grade and appear on the student’s transcript with
the subtitle “Honors Thesis.” The independent study fulfills the senior project
(English 409) requirement, but does not count as an English elective. As an
independent study, extra tuition charges apply: see the relevant information
under Academic policies and requirements and Financial information sections
of the catalog. The independent study will be charged at the “readings” rate.
For more information about specific requirements, see the department chair.
Career and postgraduate opportunities
English is a versatile major that prepares students for a wide range of jobs
after graduation. English graduates are employed around the world, in occupations
such as teaching, program management, service with church agencies, journalism,
publishing, public relations, business, social services, and the professions,
including law, medicine, library science, nonprofit management or administration,
and the ministry. A significant number of TESOL graduates are engaged in teaching
English as a second language in the U.S. and abroad. As this list demonstrates,
an English degree provides a strong base for graduate schools in literary study
as well as many other fields.
Teacher education certification in English and TESOL
The English department offers five different teacher education certification
programs:
- Grades 5-12 certification in English/language arts
education: in addition to, or as part of, the English major, students
compleete Engl 201 or 307; Engl 319; Comm 200; Comm 206 or Intl 256; Educ
307; a writing course; a film or performance course; and the Secondary Education
track in the Education department, including a semester of student teaching.
- Grades K-6 certification in English as a new language
education (ENL): students complete the normal Elementary Education
major and Engl 204, 310, 315, 319, 320 and 325 (unless student teaching
is done in ENL).
- Grades 5-12 certification in ENL: students complete the
TESOL major and the Secondary Education track in the Education department.
- Grades K-12 certification in ENL: students complete the
TESOL major and the Secondary Education track and take Engl 325 for 2 credits.
- Grades K-12 (ENL) and 5-12 (Language) certification in bilingual/bicultural
education: students complete the TESOL major, Educ 307, and 21 credit
hours of foreign language (level 202 or higher), which should include a semester
overseas with BCA, and the Secondary Education track in the Education department.
All teacher certification programs require PJCS 210 for general education.
The first education class, Educ 201, should be taken in May term of the first
year or fall of the sophomore year. See the education department pages and
the Teacher Education Handbook
for more details about requirements.
Major in English
38 credit hours
- Engl 204, Expository Writing 3
- Engl 300, Critical Theory and Practice 3
- Engl 301, British Literature to 1800 3
- Engl 302, British Literature 1800 to Present 3
- Engl 303, American Literature Survey 3
- One of the following courses: 3
Engl 305, Genre Studies
Engl 306, Major Author
- Engl 315, English Language Problems 3
- Engl 409, Senior Project 1-2
- Engl 410, English Senior Seminar 1
- Elective courses in English 12
- Related course selected from the following: 3
Aesthetics, Art History, Bible/Religion, Children's and Adolescent Literature,
Communication, History, Linguistics, Modern and Classical Languages and
Literatures, Music History, Sociology, Peace/Justice/Conflict Studies, Philosophy,
TESOL Methods, Theater, Women's Studies
Planning guide
| First year |
General education
Literature and Writing or Introduction to Literature
World Literature in English/Introduction to Creative Writing/
Topics in Literature: Ethnicity, Gender and Race/
Topics in Literature, Film, and Popular Culture |
| Second year |
General education
Humanities
Expository Writing
Critical Theory and Practice
British Literature to 1800
SST |
| Third year |
General education
American Literature Survey
English Language Problems
British Literature 1800 to Present
Related courses |
| Fourth year |
Balance of general education
Balance of major and related courses
Senior Project
Senior Seminar |
Planning and advising notes
In general education, English majors are encouraged to choose Phil 200 to
meet the Phil/PJCS requirement; however, teacher education students should
select PJCS 210. English majors should normally take a humanities section
that covers humanities fields other than literature.
Students earning AP or CLEP credit in English are strongly encouraged to
take Engl 210, Engl 204 or both during the first year.
Students doing student teaching for English/Language Arts Secondary Education
or TESOL Certification, or TESOL majors doing TESOL Field Experience must
take Engl 319, English Syntax instead of Engl 409.
The related course may not be an applied courses (such as Record
editing or music lessons or a studio art class) or be used to fulfill requirements
of general education. The related course may be counted toward
another major only if it is specifically required by that major. See Academic policies and requirements.
Major in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL)
38-41 credit hours
- Comm 206, Communicating Across Cultures 3
- Educ 303, Literacy I 3
- Educ 406, Literacy II 3
- Engl 204, Expository Writing 3
- Engl 310, Introduction to Linguistics 3
- Engl 315, English Language Problems 3
- Engl 319, English Syntax 1
- Engl 320, Methods of TESOL 4
- Engl 325, Field Experience in TESOL 2-3
- Engl 410, Senior Seminar (or MCLL 410 or Educ 403) 1-3
- Additional foreign language beyond the 102-level basic requirement 3
- Three intercultural studies courses selected from the following: 9
Educ 307, Children's and Adolescent Literature (required for ENL license)
Engl 201, World Literature in English
Engl 207/307, Lit of Ethnicity, Gender, Race
Any courses on the "SST Alternate" list in the International Education department
(which may not double count as SST alternates)
Planning guide for TESOL major
| First year |
General education
Literature and Writing or Introduction to Literature
Language courses for 102-level prerequisite
Communicating Across Cultures
Intercultural studies elective |
| Second year |
General education
Expository Writing
English syntax
Additional foreign language
SST |
| Third year |
General education
Introduction to Linguistics
English Language Problems
Intercultural studies courses
Education courses
Methods of TESOL
TESOL Field Experience |
| Fourth year |
Balance of general education
Balance of major and related courses
Senior Seminar |
Planning and advising notes
For the K-6 and 5-12 ENL certifications, students should either do student
teaching in ENL (instead of Engl 325) or else do a non-ENL student teaching
placement and then Engl 325 for 2 credits. For K-12 ENL certification, students
should do ENL student teaching with one age group (e.g., elementary students)
and then Engl 325 for 2 credits with another age group (e.g. high school students).
Non-Teacher Education students should do Engl 325 for 3 credits.
To complete the major, students must demonstrate basic competence in some
foreign language through the 102 level by testing or by courses. The "additional
foreign language" requirement beyond the basic competence may be in the
same language or a third language. Also, ASL may count as the basic foreign
language or as the additional foreign language, but not as both.
Minor in English
18 credit hours
- Engl 300, Critical Theory and Practice 3
- Engl 315, English Language Problems 3
- Two of the following literature survey courses: 6
Engl 301, British Literature to 1800
Engl 302, British Literature 1800 to Present
Engl 303, American Literature Survey
- Any two English department courses (Engl 204 strongly encouraged) 6
Minor in writing
18 credit hours
- Comm/Engl 204, Expository Writing 3
- One of the following individualized courses: 2-3
Engl 409, Senior Project
Comm 412, Special Project
- Courses in journalistic and/or creative writing selected from the following
12-13
Comm 250, Writing for Media
Comm 260, Broadcast Writing
Comm 308, Feature Writing
Comm 326, Creating for the Web
Engl 120, Introduction to Creative Writing
Engl 312, Poetry Workshop
Engl 330, Writing Fiction
Engl 332, Writing Poetry
Engl 334, Writing Creative Nonfiction
Thea 334, Playwriting
Minor in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL)
20-21 credit hours
- Engl 310, Introduction to Linguistics 3
- Engl 315, English Language Problems 3
- Engl 319, English Syntax 1
- Engl 320, Methods of TESOL 4
- Engl 325, Field Experience in TESOL or Student Teaching in ENL 3
- Additional intercultural studies courses 6-7
selected from the "SST Alternate" list (which may not double count
as SST alternates) or additional foreign language courses above the general
education prerequisite.
Planning and advising notes
To complete the minor, students must demonstrate basic competence in some foreign
language through the 102 level by testing or by courses. The "additional
foreign language" courses may be in the same language or a third language.
Also, ASL may count as the basic foreign language or as the additional foreign
language, but not as both.
Certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL)
30 credit hours
- Engl 310, Introduction to Linguistics 3
- Engl 315, English Language Problems 3
- Engl 319, English Syntax 1
- Engl 320, Methods of TESOL 4
- Engl 325, Field Experience in TESOL 3
- Additional intercultural studies courses 3-4
selected from the "SST Alternate" list (which may not double count
as SST alternates) or additional foreign language courses above the 102-level
- Bible or religion class 3
- Additional elective courses 9-10
English courses
ENGL 105 Introduction to College Writing 3
Introduction to college-level reading and writing skills. Next course is Engl 110 to fulfull General Education requirements. This course is required for students with Verbal SAT/ACT of 430/20 or below, low GPA in high school English courses, low overall GPA, or concern about college-level writing and study skills.
ENGL 110 Literature and Writing 3
Critical reading, thinking, and writing using literary and nonliterary texts focused on themes chosen by individual professors. Instruction in writing argumentative prose and the cross-disciplinary research essay. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Engl 105, or Verbal SAT/ACT score of 430/21 or higher.
ENGL 120 Introduction to Creative Writing 3
An introduction to the writing of poems, short stories and creative nonfiction, with emphasis on writing, reading and discussion. Written evaluations for credit instead of letter grades. Enrollment limited to 15 per section.
ENGL 201 World Literature in English 3
Study of literature written in English outside of the United Kingdom and the United States that deals in a significant way with the intersection of cultures, particularly postcolonial literature from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America.
ENGL 204 Expository Writing 3
Theory and practice of written communication. Assignments in a variety of prose forms aim at developing the student's control of logic, organization, rhetoric and usage. Prerequisite: Engl 110 or Engl 210 or equivalent.
ENGL 207 Lit of Ethnicity, Gender, Race 3
Study of literature shaped distinctively by cultural and theoretical concerns related to ethnicity, gender and race. Specific topics, announced in advance, include the following:
Irish Literature in Ireland. Field studies in the cultural geography of 20th-century Irish authors, including Yeats, Joyce, Synge, Mary Lavin, Peter Fallon and Seamus Heaney. Conducted during May or summer term at urban and rural locations in the Republic of Ireland.
American Indian Literature. Contemporary fiction and poetry by such writers as M. Scott Momaday, Louise Erdrich, Leslie Silko and Sherman Alexie, with special emphasis on historical and cultural contexts and the revitalization of tribal practices, spirituality, ceremony and oral tradition.
African-American Literature. Twentieth-century fiction, poetry and essays from W.E.B. DuBois to Toni Morrison, with an emphasis on the history of race in America as it informs the literary tradition. Literature integrated with music, art and performance.
Mennonite Literature. Recent literature - mainly poetry and fiction - by U.S. and Canadian Mennonite writers, studied in relation to Mennonite history, culture and theology. Authors include Rudy Wiebe, Sandra Birdsell, Armin Wiebe, Julia Kasdorf, Janet Kauffman, Jean Janzen, Jeff Gundy and others.
Women in Literature. The study of literature written by women (mainly fiction and poetry) and of related issues such as the literary canon, gender representation and feminist literary theory. The syllabus will often include literature by Austen, Bronte, Woolf and Hurston and criticism by Gilbert, Gubar, Showalter and Fetterly.
ENGL 210 Introduction to Literature 3
Analysis of literary texts in a genre chosen by individual professors. Instruction in literary analysis essay and literary research essay. Prerequisite: Engl 110, AP or CLEP credit, SAT verbal or critical reading score of at least 630, ACT English score of at least 28 or permission of instructor.
ENGL 230 Literature and Popular Culture 3
Study of literature in relation to film, television, or other media of popular culture. Specific topics, announced in advance, may include Arthurian Literature and Film, or Global Images in Film.
ENGL 300 Critical Theory & Practice 3
This course examines contemporary critical interpretiative strategies and theories as applied to several literary genres. In addition, the course introduces students to important research skills involved in the production of literary criticism. Intended as an introduction to the English major and as an elective for other (usually upper-level) students. Prerequisite: Any college-level literature course beyond Engl 110.
ENGL 301 British Literature to 1800 3
Development of British literature from Beowulf through the medieval period, Renaissance, and 18th century, with special attention to authors such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Spenser, Milton, and Pope.
ENGL 302 British Literature:1800-Present 3
Development of British literature through the Victorian, modern and post-modern periods, with special attention to authors such as Arnold, Eliot, Conrad, Yeats and Woolf.
ENGL 303 American Literature Survey 3
Development of American literature from colonial times to the present. Study of literature that explores a range of American identities, including European-American, American Indian and African-American. Authors include Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, William Faulkner, Adrienne Rich, among many others.
ENGL 305 Genre Studies 3
Study of a single genre as announced, sometimes with focus on writings of a specific period or place. Typical offerings include:
Contemporary Drama. Study of dramatic literature from the modernists to the present.
History of the Novel. The reading and study of significant works illustrating the development of the novel.
Contemporary Poetry. The reading and study of poetry and poets working since 1945, including such authors as Allen Ginsberg, Galway Kinnell, Rita Dove, Li-Young Lee, Linda Hogan, Adrienne Rich, and Maxine Kumin. In addition to critical writing, each student will practice writing poems in an effort to better understand the creation and artistic nature of poetry.
Cultural Studies. The study of a genre of literature in relation to a specific cultural topic. Offerings may include Eugenics and Modernist Prose, or The Idea of Labor and Nineteenth-Century Fiction.
ENGL 306 Major Author 3
A study of a major author or of two authors in comparison. Shakespeare every other year. In the alternate years, recent choices include Chaucer, Faulkner and Morrison.
ENGL 307 Lit of Ethnicity, Gender & Race 3
Same as Engl 207, with reading and assignments that broaden and deepen the student's engagement with the topic.
ENGL 310 Introduction to Linguistics 3
Different ways of looking at language: how languages' systems of sounds, word structures, grammatical patterns and meaning constructions function. Insights useful for language learning, teaching and appreciation of English and language in general.
ENGL 312 Poetry Workshop 1
Intensive one-week workshop in writing poetry, usually conducted by a visiting poet during the first week of the spring semester. Repeatable. Written evaluations for credit instead of letter grades. Enrollment limited to 15 per section. Prerequisite: Any college-level creative writing course.
ENGL 315 English Language Problems 3
The study of the sound system and history of the English language, followed by exploration of current developments in sociolinguistics, dictionaries and word formation. The course cultivates an informed attitude toward English usage.
ENGL 319 English Syntax 1
Study in English grammar. Prerequisite: Previous or concurrent enrollment in Engl 310 or 315.
ENGL 320 Methods of TESOL 4
Primary topics addressed are theories of language learning, general TESOL approaches, methods for the teaching of specific language skills, materials preparation and assessment issues in ESL. A concurrent internship (teaching English to a nonnative speaker) brings reality to the theories. Prerequisite: Engl 310 or foreign language competence through 102 level.
ENGL 325 Field Experience in TESOL 3 (2-3)
Supervised teaching in the U.S. or abroad when appropriate supervision can be arranged. Teacher Education students seeking a K-6 or 5-12 ENL certification who do their student teaching in ENL do not need to take this course: those who don't do student teaching in ENL and those seeking K-12 certification will need to take this course for 2 credits (60 hours of teaching). Non-Teacher Education students should take the course for 3 credits (100 hours of teaching). Prerequisite: Engl 320 and consent of instructor.
ENGL 330 Writing Fiction 3
A workshop course in writing short fiction, with special attention to issues of setting, character, plot, dialogue and point of view. Readings by contemporary writers. Written evaluations for credit instead of letter grades. Enrollment limited to 15 per section
ENGL 332 Writing Poetry 3
A workshop course in writing poetry in a variety of forms, with special attention to imagery, sound, line, meter and revision. Readings in classic and contemporary poetry. Written evaluations for credit instead of letter grades. Enrollment limited to 15 per section
ENGL 334 Writing Creative Nonfiction 3
A workshop course in writing the personal essay and nonfiction prose, with special attention to creating a personal voice and applying creative writing techniques to nonfictional subjects. Students will read and discuss examples of creative nonfiction and prepare two longer essays for a final portfolio. Written evaluations for credit instead of letter grades. Enrollment limited to 15 per section
ENGL 409 Senior Project 1 (1-2)
English majors propose independent projects in research, off-campus field experience, or intenship or creative writing.
ENGL 410 Senior Seminar 1
Weekly meetings of departmental majors and faculty for an exchange of views on such topics as vocations, curriculum and ethical/spiritual issues related to a life-long study of literature and language.
