English Major & Minor

If you’re passionate about books and ideas and want to delve deeper into the study of literature, an English major or minor is for you! Whether you’re interested in publishing your writing or serving on an editorial board, you’ll get plenty of hands-on experience with our student publications: The Record, the award-winning student-run newspaper; Broadside, an outlet for short poems and prose; Red Cents, an annual creative arts journal; or Pinchpenny Press, a book publisher right on campus. Alongside traditional literary surveys, our literature courses feature special topics courses on graphic novels, banned books and Shakespeare in film.

As an English student, you can customize your degree with a balance of literature, writing and language courses. By the time you graduate, you will be able to communicate effectively, think critically and write fluently, vital skills for success in graduate school or the professional world.

Watch our video!

Interested in studying English at Goshen College?

Request Info

Visit Campus | Apply to GC

English at Goshen College

Watch this video to learn more about the Goshen College English Department's publishing opportunities.

News & Events

From students to teachers: GC education alums teach locally

August 4, 2016

More than half of last year’s Goshen College Education Department graduates decided to stick around and set up their first classrooms right here in Northern Indiana. Meet a few of our recent graduates here.

From 'Maus' to Ms. Marvel, English professor incorporates graphic novels into curriculum

July 25, 2016

Professor Jessica Baldanzi teaches a course on graphic novels and has given several scholarly papers about the new Ms. Marvel.

Comics issue of Mennonite writing journal to feature GC students, alums

July 25, 2016

Several Goshen College students and alums have their work published in a special comics and graphic novels issue of the Journal of the Center for Mennonite Writing. Jessica Baldanzi, associate professor of English and comics

Summer student research involves game theory, stop motion animation, bystander training and more

July 2, 2016

Sixteen Goshen College students are participating in summer research projects through the college’s Maple Scholars Program.

Shari Wagner '80 pens original poem for Indiana Arts Commission's 50th anniversary

April 26, 2016

This video features an original poem by State Poet Laureate Shari Wagner '80, recited by State Poetry Out Loud Champion Grace Milligan, and original music composed by Timothy Carlos. This video was produced by Think Ahead Studios inIndianapolis, as a tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Indiana Arts Commission.

Stats

90^%

of English alumni are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate education

100^%

of English secondary education graduates in 2014 who sought teaching jobs were employed right after graduation

Number of books published by Pinchpenny Press last year

Number of campus publications to write for (Broadside, Red Cents, The Record, Goshen Commons)

Students & Alumni

Mary Roth '13

English Writing Major

Mary Roth, a 2013 graduate with an English writing major, was chosen as the 2013 Luci Shaw Fellow at Image, a quarterly journal of faith, literature and the arts in Seattle, Washington. Read more

Elizabeth Derstine '16

Communication and English Writing Majors

Elizabeth, a communication and English writing double major, got behind a video camera her first semester, and now she's hooked. She hopes to someday travel the world and film the stories she sees and hears.
Read more

Nathan Vader '13

English Writing Major

Nathan Vader graduated in 2013 with an English writing major and a theater and Bible, religion and philosophy minor. On the side, he edited for the campus newspaper, The Record, authored a book, acted and directed plays. Read more

Lauren Treiber '14

Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Major

Lauren Treiber, a 2014 graduate from Grand Rapids, Michigan, came to Goshen College to study peace. While a student, Lauren has formed friendships and learned lessons that will lead her towards a lifetime of peacemaking. Read more

Rosanna Nafziger Henderson '06

English and Mathematics Double Major

Rosanna Nafziger Henderson graduated from Goshen College in 2006 with majors in English and math--not the most obvious path to becoming an authority on food.
Read more

Elizabeth Franks-North '16

English and Education Major

Elizabeth, an English and education double major from Greensboro, N.C., wants to become an English teacher. In the meantime, she’s the editor of The Record, a member of Hymn Club and a co-leader of the Ultimate Frisbee Club. Read more

Ellah Wakatama Allfrey ’88

Communication Major

Ellah Wakatama Allfrey was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace for her work in the publishing industry. Read more

Kate Yoder '15

English Writing and Art Double Major

Kate Yoder studied English writing and art and enjoyed spending her time in the community garden close to campus, playing piano, editing for college publications and creating mixed media collages. Read more

Faculty