Academics  —  English Major & Minor

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.

Related Programs

English Writing Writing Communication TESOL Secondary Education Theater Journalism History Anabaptist-Mennonite Studies Women’s and Gender Studies Philosophy Bible and Religion

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English at Goshen College

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

News & Events

Marta Brunner '89 named head librarian at Skidmore College

Marta Brunner, head of collections, research and instructional services in the Charles E. Young Research Library at UCLA, has been named the new college librarian at Skidmore College.

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Gundy to speak about ‘Poetry, the Sleeping King, and Creative Doubt’ on Oct. 21

Jeff Gundy, an award-winning writer on the cutting edge of poetry and creative nonfiction and a central figure in Mennonite literature, will give a presentation on “Poetry, the Sleeping King, and Creative Doubt” on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Goshen College Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception and book signing.

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2013-2014 Department Newsletter Just Released

2013-2014 has been a busy year for the English department: 10 graduates, 8 Broadsides, 7 Pinchpenny books, 6 State awards for Red Cents, and 5 guest writers. Check out these numbers and more in our latest newsletter.

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Storyteller John Ruth to offer April lecture at Goshen College

John Ruth will offer a lecture about his new memoir, “Branch,” in Goshen College’s Newcomer Center Room 17 on Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. A reception will follow the lecture, during which books will be available for purchase and signing. The event is free and open to the public.

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Goshen College students win state awards for newspaper, literary publication

Goshen College students involved with campus publications were recently honored for their work at the Indiana Collegiate Press Association (ICPA) competition for print media.

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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

7

Number of books published by Pinchpenny Press last year

4

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

Students & Alumni

Hannah Sommers '96

English and Natural Science Double Major

Hannah Sommers, a 1996 graduate with an English and natural science degree, is a program manager at National Public Radio (NPR). Read more

Read Hannah's Story

Elizabeth Derstine '16

Communication and English Writing Majors

Elizabeth, a junior 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.
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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

Read Elizabeth's Story

Kate Yoder '15

English Writing and Art Double Major

Kate Yoder is a senior English writing and art double major who enjoys spending her time in the community garden close to campus, playing piano, editing for college publications and creating mixed media collages. Read more

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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

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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.
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Read Rosanna's Story

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

Read Lauren's Story

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

Read Ellah's Story

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

Read Mary's Story

Faculty

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