Writing Degrees & Programs

There’s nothing minor about writing.

The writing minor is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of writing theories and expand their writing practices. As such, the minor can be a valuable supplement to many majors; it helps cultivate liberal arts inquiry and strengthens marketable skills. Although the minor is overseen by the English Department, the curriculum draws from disciplines such as art, history, communication studies, philosophy, and theatre arts.

All Majors and Programs

Career Paths

Teaching 

Grant Writing 

Publishing & Editing 

Creative Writing 

Digital Content Creation 

Ministry

Journalism 

Copywriting 

Marketing 

Corporate Communications 

Medicine 

Law

Pair a Writing Minor with Your Existing Major

A writing minor develops vital transferable skills in writing and rhetorical awareness, collaboration, problem solving, global awareness, and professionalism. As you are transformed by the stories you read and write, you will become better equipped to tell stories in ways that are transformative. These enhanced skills mean that the writing minor pairs well with a range of majors across the college, and with pre-professional programs such as pre-law, pre-teaching, pre-medicine, pre-nursing, prepharmacy, pre-seminary, pre-ministry/missions, and pre-physical therapy. Speak with one of our English faculty about how the writing minor can complement your current track of study.

Requirements and Courses

Required Courses (8 Units)

  • ENG 104 Modern Grammar and Advanced Composition (4)
  • And one of the following:
    • ENG 006 Studies in Literature (4)
    • ENG 007H First-Year Honors Seminar in Literature (4)
    • ENG 045 Studies in Classic Literature (4)
    • ENG 060 Writers in Conversation (4)
    • ENG 090 Methods of Reading (4)

Electives (12 Units)

  • ART/PHI 131 Theory and Criticism in the Arts (4)
  • COM 101 Theories of Rhetoric and Communication I (4)
  • COM 103 Communication Criticism (4)
  • ENG 002 Composition (4)
  • ENG 014 Introduction to Creative Writing (4)
  • ENG 087 Introduction to Journalism (4)
  • ENG 111 Screenwriting I (4)
  • ENG 112 Screenwriting II (4)
  • ENG 113 Screenwriting III (4)
  • ENG 141 Creative Writing (4)
  • ENG 142 Workshop in Creative Writing (4)
  • ENG 143 Topics in Writing (2-4) [may be repeated as genres vary]
  • HIS 198 Senior Research Seminar (4)
  • TA 145 Writing for Performance (4)
  • No more than 8 elective units can be taken from the following:
    • ENG 167 Writers’ Corner (2)
    • APP/ENG 168 Student Publications: Horizon (1-4)*
    • ENG 169 Student Publications: Phoenix (1-4)*
    • APP/ENG/IS 190/190SS Internship (1-8)*
    • ENG 192 Capstone Seminar (2)*

*Courses with an asterisk require the English Department chair's approval for writing-intensive units.

Student Publications

The Horizon

The Horizon, Westmont’s newspaper, is published by students each week and features news and views on a variety of issues and topics.

To inquire about contributing to the paper or serving on the staff, contact the editor-in-chief through the Horizon email horizon@westmont.edu.

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Phoenix

The Phoenix is Westmont's literary, art, and music publication produced by students and featuring all student work. 

The Phoenix publication is made available during the annual spring semester Phoenix Night, which also spotlights live performances of student original music. For more information, contact the editor-in-chief, Julia White.

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Citadel

The Citadel, Westmont’s yearbook, is produced annually by students and features student portraits, the year's highlights, and honors for seniors.

The yearbook is free for all students and is made available to students at the end of the academic year. To inquire about serving on the staff or acquiring a yearbook, contact the editor-in-chief.

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Off-Campus Opportunities

Westmont’s England Semester 

Food Systems & Food Writing: California, Iceland, Italy Mayterm 

Artist in the City: New York City Mayterm

You Just Have to See it for Yourself

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