Journalism, Editing & Publishing Minor

WC Journalism, Editing & Publishing (JEP) Minor

Students interested in the fields of journalism, and editing & publishing are invited to deepen their understanding and practice a range of applicable skills within the classroom and through internships and other opportunities for experiential learning. Whether through interviewing members of the College community for news story in Intro to Journalism or learning how to screen poetry submissions in Literary Editing and Publishing, students will develop and strengthen the essential skills of critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis. Furthermore, the minor will foster increased creativity and clarity of expression through a study of writing in a range of different styles and modes. The minor will appeal not only to English majors but also to Communications majors as well as to a host of students majoring in the humanities, social sciences, and even the natural sciences.

Classes like the "Living Writers: Journalism" course where students meet with the writers they are studying are offered here at Washington College. Students had the opportunity to attend the following:

Environmental Journalism: Earl Swift, author of Chesapeake Requiem: A Year with the Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island. February 24
Community Journalism: John-John Williams IV, Baltimore Sun; Katie Tabeling, Delaware Business Times; Emma Way, Axios Charlotte. March 8
Science Journalism: Erika Hayasaki, author of The Death Class: A True Story About Life and Associate Professor of Literary Journalism at UC Irvine. March 22
Narrative Journalism: Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, contributor to The Believer, GQ and The New York Times. April 21

Sophie Foster's Plan

Class of 2024 • Reisterstown, MD • English Major + Creative Writing & Journalism, Editing, and Publishing Minors

Read About the Lit House Press

Year 1

First-Year ExperienceFirst Year Seminar

As a first-year student, I took the Jane Austen FYS with Dr. Katie Charles, which ended up being such a revelatory course for me. Midway into the semester, I became invested in an essay that would grow into my SCE, and it was (and continues to be) so motivating to develop an argument I felt passionate about with the guidance of an Austen scholar as insightful as Dr. Charles. As someone who writes primarily poetry, this was among the first times I felt any enthusiasm regarding academic writing, and the English department has continued to foster and amplify said enthusiasm.

Year 2

Learning By Doing Getting Involved

When I moved on campus for my first year in person following a virtual freshman year, I was particularly interested in building community, so I became managing editor of Collegian, a copy editor for The Elm, and secretary of Writers' Union. Something that continues to strike me as profoundly valuable in our literary spaces here is the ease with which anyone can find themselves in the middle of them. I had absolutely no interest in journalism at all coming into college, and now so many of my highlights have stemmed from working with The Elm these past few years.

Year 3

Continuing to EngageWithin the Community

My junior year was full of many of the same joys I filled my sophomore year with: I became poetry editor of Collegian, news co-editor of The Elm, and president of Writers' Union. Largely, this year reinforced my firm belief that community sits at the heart of everything I value; Washington College's English and literary faculty continually bend over backwards so my classmates and I can collaboratively pursue everything we're drawn to. There are few colleges that send undergraduates to AWP, and even fewer that pay their student writers and editors. I'm always overwhelmed with gratitude for the dedication of our department to its students.

Year 4

Senior Capstone Experience and BeyondPublications and Austen

In my last year here, I'll be splitting my focus between serving as the editor in chief of Collegian, editing the opinion section of The Elm, leading Writers' Union for my second year, and writing my SCE with the counsel of my advisor, Dr. Charles. My thesis, which started in that Austen FYS, is fundamentally a character study of Mary Bennet that positions her as a feminist figure in the text and evaluates the evasion of sexualization and the disempowering of men's attention. Beyond graduation, I'm hoping to pursue an MFA in poetry and eventually work toward a career in publishing.

Delaney Runge's Plan

Class of 2024 •Reisterstown, MD • English Major + Education Studies, Creative Writing & Journalism, Editing, and Publishing Minors

Read About the Student-Led Publications

Year 1

First-Year ExperienceSeminar

For my FYS, I took Jane Austen Fan Culture with Dr. Charles. I felt that this class strengthened my writing skills, prepared me for the requirements of college essays, and solidified my desire to be an English major.

Year 2

Learning By DoingInvolvement

During my sophomore year, I became the Recording Secretary for my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, as well as the Social Media Editor for Washington College's Yearbook, The Pegasus. These roles improved my written communication, note taking, and description skills.

Year 3

Continuing to Be InvolvedInternships and On Campus

In my junior year, I worked as an intern for Prestwick House, an English Language Arts publisher out of Delaware, and as the President of Zeta Tau Alpha. Additionally, I was initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, and Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society.

Year 4

Senior Capstone Experience and BeyondWide Sargasso Sea, Jane Eyre, and Publications

For my SCE, I am writing about Antoinette (Bertha) from Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane Eyre, and how these works influence reader's perception of her and her voice. I am looking forward to working on two Washington College publications as a copyeditor for The Elm and as the Editor-in-Chief of The Pegasus. Right now, I am considering going to graduate school following my graduation from Washington College.

Grace Apostol's Plan

Class of 2024 • Bel Air, MD • English Major + Journalism, Editing, and Publishing, Communications and Media Studies, and Theater Minors

Read About the Journalism, Editing, and Publishing Minor

Year 1

First-Year ExperienceFirst Year Seminar

I took Fear Terror and Paranoia with Dr. Clayton Black! It was about conspiracy theories and looking beyond. The class really helped to shape me as a writer, and also prepare me for the world outside this class.

Year 2

Learning By DoingGetting Involved

With sophomore year being the first time I was in person at Washington College, I wanted to try out as many different opprotunities as possible. I ran for class president once again and was elected for the second time which really taught me so much about my classmates and being in a leadership position! I also was involved being in the musicals, joining our A Capella club on campus, starting as a staff writer for The Elm, working a tour guide, and joining a wonderful group of students as a communication intern for the English Department.

Year 3

Continuing OnExperience

The summer into my junior year, I was able to intern as a movie critic for a horror content website. It really taught me a different light to journalism, and that was super impactful. Also that summer, I was a Cherry Tree Young Literary Conference Intern, where I was able to help mentor high shcool writers in a week long conference at WC! During junior year, I continued with all my previous jobs and internships from sophomore year, and also began working in the Writing Center as a tutor, News Co-Editor of The Elm, as well as a poetry screener for Cherry Tree! I also had the honoor of being inducted into Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society, as well as the Cater Society.

Year 4

Senior Capstone Experience"The Yellow Wallpaper"

Senior Year I am working on my Senior Capstone Thesis, which is about Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper", and how the "rest cure" for mentally ill women did more damage than any good during the 19th and 20th centuries. I am contiuing with all my extracurriculars, as well as taking on the role of President of our chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, and also applying to graduate schools for Investigative and Broadcast Journalism!