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 3
• Engl 203, Introduction to Creative Writing 3
• Engl 204, Expository Writing 3
• Engl 280, Sophomore Portfolio 1
• Engl 312, Writing Workshop (repeatable to 4 credit hours) 1
• Engl 315, Global English  3
• Engl 319, English Grammar 1
• Three Writing Courses 9
  • Comm 250, Writing for Media
  • Comm 308, Feature Writing
  • Engl 330, Writing Fiction
  • Engl 332, Writing Poetry
  • Engl 334, Writing Creative Nonfiction
  • Engl 336, Special Topics in Writing
  • Thea 350, Playwriting
• Three Literature/Language electives (at least one upper level 300 or above)9
  • Engl 206, 209, 211, 212, 213, or 214 (Artistic World Core perspective course)
  • Engl 207/307, Literature of Ethnicity, Gender, and Race
  • Engl 230, Literature and Popular Culture
  • Engl 235, Comics and Graphic Novels
  • Engl 300, Philosophy, Interpretation, and Culture
  • Engl 305, Genre Studies
  • Engl 306, Major Author
  • Engl 310, Introduction to Linguistics
  • Engl 326, History of Literature in English I
  • Engl 327, History of Literature in English II
• One course in media context or production experience 3
  • Comm 108, Digital Design
  • Comm 255, Photography
  • Comm 260, Broadcast Writing
  • Comm 326, Creating for the Web
  • Comm 350, Reporting for the Public Good
• Engl 408, Senior Writing Practicum 2
• Engl 410, Senior Seminar 3

Student learning outcomes

Graduates in writing will:

1. Develop the vocabulary and conceptual tools to analyze, discuss, and create poetry, fiction, and nonfiction prose.
2. 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.
3. Develop knowledge of the intellectual and cultural frameworks of North American, English, and Anglophone literature and language.
4. Demonstrate mastery of a range of writing tools, including revision and editing strategies that foster the successful practice of creative and expository writing.
5. 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.
6. Analyze the role of cultural context, audience, and individual voice in writing through creative collaboration.
7. Use reading, critical thinking, editing, and writing to integrate faith and ethics with personal identity.
8. 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 Publishing, 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/Engl 204, Expository Writing 3
• One of the following individualized courses:3
  • Comm 412, Special Project
  • Engl 280, Sophomore Portfolio and Engl 408, Senior Writing Practicum
• 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, Writing for Media
  • 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.