Course Listings
Writing and Publishing
A major in Writing and Publishing 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 and Publishing
42 credit hours
- ENGL 203 Introduction to Creative Writing3
- ENGL 204 Expository Writing3
- ENGL 280 Sophomore Writing Portfolio1
- ENGL 290 English Publication1
- ENGL 312 Writing Workshop1
- ENGL 319 English Grammar1
- ENGL 340 Editing and Publishing3
- Three writing courses9
- Three Literature/Language electives (at least one upper level 300 or above)9
- ENGL 207 Lit of Ethnicity, Gender, and Race
- ENGL 230 Literature and Popular Culture
- ENGL 235 Comics and Graphic Novels
- ENGL 300 Philosophy,Interpretion 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
- ENGL 408 English Writing Practicum2
- ENGL 410 Senior Seminar3
- COMM 108 Digital Design3
- One course in media context or production experience3
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a major in Writing and Publishing will:
- Develop the vocabulary and conceptual tools to analyze, discuss, create, and edit writing in multiple genres.
- 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 professional communication skills transferable to the publishing world, as well as print, electronic, and letterpress publishing techniques.
- Demonstrate mastery of a range of writing tools, including revision and editing strategies that foster the successful practice of writing in any genre and for any purpose.
- 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 and editing through creative collaboration.
- Use reading, critical thinking, editing, and writing to develop and take ownership of a unique written voice that can create change in the world.
Planning Guide
| First year | Goshen Core Research & Writing Introduction to Creative Writing Expository Writing |
| Second year | Goshen Core Writing elective Writing Workshop (Repeatable) Digital Design Sophomore portfolio SST English Publications (or Junior Year) |
| Third year | Goshen Core Writing elective Literature elective English Grammar Editing and Publishing |
| Fourth year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major Senior Writing Practicum Senior Seminar (or Junior Year) |
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, and Red Cents. Engl 290, English Publication, is recommended in the second or third year.
Students with a second major in addition to writing and publishing 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
- ENGL 204 Expository Writing3
- 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 (repeatable)
- 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, 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 108 Digital Design
(Cross-listed from Art 108) This course in visual expression and communication will introduce students to relevant computer programs including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Through exercises, projects and critiques, students will learn both creative visual design and technical aspects...
COMM 250 Journalism Essentials
Students will learn how to produce journalism and how to tell stories in different forms and across various platforms. They will learn the techniques of interviewing and practice professional research methods. The course will provide a grounding in Associated Press...
COMM 255 Photography
(Cross-listed from Art 255) A beginning course in the art and communication of digital photography. Students will explore photography through manual settings, post production, and print. The course will also touch on the history of photography, work by contemporary artists,...
COMM 260 Broadcast Writing
Students will study the principles, forms and techniques of writing for broadcast media. Assignments will focus on the writing and editing of broadcast news and commercial messages.
COMM 308 Feature Writing
Students will study nonfiction writing forms, including narrative journalism, and learn the process of publishing articles in newspaper, magazine and online markets. Students will prepare articles for submission. Prerequisite: Comm 204 or 250 or equivalent.
COMM 326 Creating for the Web
This course examines the necessary tools for building successful web pages. Students utilize design elements and principles to emphasize the importance of the web as an effective form of communication. They also learn languages of page development (HTML/CSS) and responsive...
COMM 350 Reporting for the Public Good
Journalism’s role in serving the public good will be in the forefront as students discuss civic journalism, the watchdog function of the news media, tensions between profits and public service, and the advocacy of peace and justice. Students will focus...
COMM 412 Special Project
Students may conduct research of particular interest or pursue specialized applied projects in communication under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
ENGL 203 Introduction to Creative Writing
An introduction to the writing of poems, short stories and creative nonfiction, with emphasis on the craft of writing, as well as reading, discussion, and how to develop your 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. Cross-listed as COMM 204. Prerequisite: CORE 110 or equivalent.
ENGL 207 Lit of Ethnicity, Gender, and Race
Study of literature shaped distinctively by cultural and theoretical concerns related to ethnicity, gender, and race. Repeatable if different topics. Prerequisites: CORE 110. Specific topics announced in advance, such as Native American literature, African-American literature, Latino literature, Mennonite literature, or...
ENGL 230 Literature and Popular Culture
Study of literature in relation to film, television, or other media of popular culture. Specific topics will be announced in advance. Repeatable.
ENGL 235 Comics and Graphic Novels
Students will focus mostly on recent texts defined and marketed ascomics or graphic novels. They will work to determine the cultural meaning and significance of the unique qualities and learn how to employ the language of comics to tell their...
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 290 English Publication
Applied work in publication (Pinchpenny Press, Broadside, Red Cents, the department newsletter or a blog). Students choosing to publish with Pinchpenny Press must register for this course, select a faculty adviser, and fulfill stated requirements. Repeatable. Prerequisite: Engl 204, two...
ENGL 300 Philosophy,Interpretion and Culture
This course examines critical interpretive strategies and theories as applied to several literary and cultural genres. In addition, the course introduces students to important research skills involved in the production of literary and cultural criticism. Prerequisite: CORE 110 and any...
ENGL 305 Genre Studies
Study of a single genre, sometimes with a focus on writings of a specific period or place. Typical offerings include history of the novel or contemporary poetry. Repeatable. Prerequisite: CORE 110.
ENGL 306 Major Author
A study of a major author or of two authors in comparison. Courses have included Shakespeare, Chaucer, Faulkner, and Morrison. Repeatable. Prerequisite: CORE 110.
ENGL 310 Introduction to Linguistics
Explores different ways of looking at how languages function as systems of sounds, word structures, grammatical patterns, and systems of meaning. Useful for language learning, teaching, and appreciation of English and language in general. Also counts as a language pre-requisite...
ENGL 312 Writing Workshop
Intensive three-day or one-week workshop in creative writing, conducted by a visiting author, usually during Spring semester. Repeatable. Prerequisite: Any college-level writing course or permission of department chair. Repeatable. Course grade will be Credit/No Credit.
ENGL 319 English Grammar
A detailed study of the grammar of English. Designed especially for future teachers of ELL or high school English.
ENGL 326 History of Lit in English I
Development of English-language literature from Beowulf through the medieval period, English Renaissance, American colonial period, and 18th century, with special attention to questions of canon, language, and genre. Prerequisite: CORE 110
ENGL 327 History of Lit in English II
Development of English-language literature from the Romantic era through the Victorian, modern, and postmodern periods, with special attention to issues of identity, modernity, and globalization. Prerequisite: CORE 110
ENGL 330 Writing Fiction
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. Prerequisite: CORE 110 and Engl 203, or consent of instructor.
ENGL 332 Writing Poetry
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. Prerequisite: CORE 110, Engl 203, or consent of instructor.
ENGL 334 Writing Creative Nonfiction
A workshop course in writing the personal essay and nonfiction prose, with special attention to developing your personal voice and applying creative writing techniques to nonfictional subjects. Students will read and discuss examples of creative nonfiction and prepare two longer...
ENGL 336 Special Topics in Writing
A workshop course in special writing topics such as Memoir. Prerequisite: CORE 110 and Engl 203, or consent of instructor.
ENGL 340 Editing and Publishing
Hands-on learning about the processes involved in print publication, as well as an overview of current online publication strategies and opportunities. Students will solicit, edit, design, and produce the literary journal Red Cents. Skills include manuscript commissioning and assessment; author...
ENGL 340 Editing and Publishing
Hands-on learning about the processes involved in print publication, as well as an overview of current online publication strategies and opportunities. Students will solicit, edit, design, and produce the literary journal Red Cents. Skills include manuscript commissioning and assessment; author...
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 career development. They will engage in a common reading experience, present a final talk, interview professionals in their aspirational fields, and prepare a capstone portfolio, all of which will prepare...
THEA 350 Playwriting
Students will examine the theory and practice of playwriting. Typically, students write a one-act play as the course requirement. Class will meet regularly as a seminar. Prerequisite: Any college writing course.