Course Listings
Writing
A major and a minor in Writing are available, offered by the English department. See also the major and minor in Journalism, offered by the Communication department.
Major in Writing
41 credit hours
- ENGL 201 World Literature in English3
- ENGL 203 Introduction to Creative Writing3
- ENGL 204 Expository Writing3
- ENGL 280 Sophomore Writing Portfolio1
- ENGL 312 Writing Workshop1 (repeatable to 4 credit hours)
- ENGL 315 Global English3
- ENGL 319 English Grammar1
- Three writing courses9
- Three Literature/Language electives (at least one upper level 300 or above)9
- ENGL206
- ENGL209
- ENGL211
- ENGL 212 Word and Image
- ENGL 213 Shakespeare and Film
- ENGL214
- ENGL 207 Lit of Ethnicity, Gender, and Race
- ENGL 307 Lit of Ethnicity, Gender, and Race
- ENGL 230 Literature and Popular Culture
- ENGL 235 Comics and Graphic Novels
- ENGL 300 Philosophy, Interpret, and Culture
- ENGL 305 Genre Studies
- ENGL 306 Major Author
- ENGL 310 Introduction to Linguistics
- ENGL 326 History of Lit in English I
- ENGL 327 History of Lit in English II
- One course in media context or production experience3
- ENGL 408 English Writing Practicum2
- ENGL 410 Senior Seminar3
Student learning outcomes
Graduates in Writing will:
- Develop the vocabulary and conceptual tools to analyze, discuss, and create poetry, fiction, and nonfiction prose.
- Gain familiarity with classic and recent creative works, particularly with an eye to their craft, as well as to their place and purpose in twenty-first century culture.
- Develop knowledge of the intellectual and cultural frameworks of North American, English, and Anglophone literature and language.
- Demonstrate mastery of a range of writing tools, including revision and editing strategies that foster the successful practice of creative and expository writing.
- Develop and design a series of portfolios that encourage self-assessment and focus in the student’s work, leading to a professional writing sample in a chosen genre.
- Analyze the role of cultural context, audience, and individual voice in writing through creative collaboration.
- Use reading, critical thinking, editing, and writing to integrate faith and ethics with personal identity.
- Take ownership of an articulate written voice that can create change in the world.
Planning guide
| First year | Goshen Core Research & Writing Introduction to Creative Writing World Literature Expository Writing |
| Second year | Goshen Core Writing elective Writing Workshop Media context/production experience course Sophomore portfolio SST |
| Third year | Goshen Core Writing elective Literature elective Global English, English Grammar English publishing or communication practice (encouraged) |
| Fourth year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major Senior Writing Practicum Senior Seminar |
Planning and advising notes
Students earning AP, IB, or CLEP credit in English are strongly encouraged to take Engl 204 during the first year. Most AP and IB literature and language courses will count as elective credits toward graduation, but not toward the writing major.
Students completing the sophomore portfolio should meet with the writing program advisor in the fall of their sophomore year or as soon as they declare a writing major to determine the best semester for enrolling in that course.
Writing majors are encouraged to get involved with Communication or English co-curricular activities such as The Record, Pinchpenny Press, Broadside, or Red Cents. Comm 200, Communication Practice, or Engl 290, English Publication, are recommended in the third year.
Students with a second major, in addition to writing, may choose to take a senior seminar in just one major field, substituting an elective course in the other major.
Minor in Writing
18 credit hours
- COMM 204 Expository Writing3
- Same as Engl 204
- One of the following individualized courses3
- Courses in journalistic and/or creative writing selected from the following12
- ENGL 203 Introduction to Creative Writing
- ENGL 312 Writing Workshop
- ENGL 330 Writing Fiction
- ENGL 332 Writing Poetry
- ENGL 334 Writing Creative Nonfiction
- ENGL 336 Special Topics in Writing
- THEA 350 Playwriting
- COMM 250 Journalism Essentials
- COMM 260 Broadcast Writing
- COMM 308 Feature Writing
- COMM 326 Creating for the Web
- COMM 350 Reporting for the Public Good
Planning and advising notes
Writing minors are encouraged to get involved with communication or English co-curricular activities, including The Record, The Correspondent, Pinchpenny Press, Broadside, and Red Cents.
Students registering for Engl 408, Senior Writing Practicum, must meet with an advisor and have a proposal approved in the semester prior to taking the course.
COMM 204 Expository Writing
(Cross-listed from Engl 204) Theory and practice of written communication. Assignments in a variety of prose forms aim at developing the student’s control of logic, organization, rhetoric, usage, and audience accommodation. Prerequisite: CORE 110 or equivalent.
ENGL 201 World Literature in English
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. Prerequisites: CORE 110.
ENGL 203 Introduction to Creative Writing
An introduction to the writing of poems, short stories and creative nonfiction, with emphasis on writing, reading, discussion, and developing a unique voice.
ENGL 204 Expository Writing
Theory and practice of written communication. Assignments in a variety of prose forms aim at developing the student’s control of logic, organization, rhetoric, usage, and audience accommodation. Prerequisite: CORE 110 or equivalent.
ENGL 280 Sophomore Writing Portfolio
Guided instruction on portfolio development, including editing and revising skills needed for advanced writing courses. Students should meet with the writing program adviser in the fall of their sophomore year to determine the best semester to complete this project. Prerequisite:...
ENGL 312 Writing Workshop
Intensive one-week workshop in writing, usually conducted by a visiting author during Spring semester. Repeatable. Prerequisite: Any college-level creative writing course or permission of department chair. Course grade will be Credit/No Credit.
ENGL 315 Global English
The study of the sound system, history, and varieties 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. Prerequisite: Core 110 or equivalent.
ENGL 319 English Grammar
A detailed study of the grammar of English. Designed especially for future teachers of ELL or high school English. Prerequisite: Previous or concurrent enrollment in Engl 310 or foreign language competence through the 102 level.
ENGL 408 English Writing Practicum
English Writing majors develop a final writing portfolio under supervision of faculty adviser. Recommended for fall semester of the senior year. Prerequisite: Engl 204, 280, three English writing courses, and permission of instructor. Course grade will be Credit/No Credit. Can...
ENGL 410 Senior Seminar
Students will discuss practical, professional, and ethical dimensions of their Goshen College education. They will engage in a common reading experience, conduct a final project, interview professionals in their aspirational fields, and prepare a capstone portfolio that reflects designated learning...