English Major English Major The study of literature moves beyond simple awareness of other perspectives and equips cadets with the skills they need to effectively engage with other cultures. The resulting understanding of humanity and culture is a vital contributor to success in the military profession. Breadcrumb english major Majors-and-Minors-left MENU Explore Academic Majors and Minors Academic Majors American Politics Major Applied Statistics and Data Sciences Major Chemical Engineering Major Chemistry Major Civil Engineering Major Computer Science Major Cyber Science Major Defense and Strategic Studies Major Economics Major Electrical Engineering Major Engineering Management Major Engineering Psychology Major English Major Environmental Engineering Major Environmental Science Major Foreign Area Studies: Africa Major Foreign Area Studies: East Asia Major Foreign Area Studies: Eurasia Major Foreign Area Studies: Europe Major Foreign Area Studies: Latin America Major Foreign Area Studies: Middle East Major Foreign Language: Arabic Major Foreign Language: Chinese Major Foreign Language: French Major Foreign Language: German Major Foreign Language: Persian Major Foreign Language: Portuguese Major Foreign Language: Russian Major Foreign Language: Spanish Major Geography Major Geospatial Information Science Major History Major International Affairs Major Kinesiology Major Law and Legal Studies Major Life Science Major Management Major Mathematical Sciences Major Mechanical Engineering Major Nuclear Engineering Major Operations Research Major Philosophy Major Physics Major Sociology Major Space Science Major Systems & Decision Sciences Major Systems Engineering Major Academic Minors Aeronautical Engineering Minor America in the World Minor American Foundations Minor Applied Statistics Minor Cyber Security Minor Diversity and Inclusion Studies Minor Engineering Management Minor General History Minor Geography Minor Grand Strategy Minor Network Science Minor Nuclear Science Minor Photonics Minor Regional Studies Minor Robotics Minor Space Science Minor Systems Engineering Minor Terrorism Studies Minor War Technology and Society Minor Guidance on Choosing an Academic Major Overview Courses Enrichment Cadets who major in English will refine skills of analysis and creativity and enrich their imaginative capacities by studying the literary and artistic expressions of primarily Anglo-American and, to a lesser extent, global cultures. Exposed to a range of literary genres and modes of cultural expression, English majors graduate with a broader and deeper understanding of the history of ideas and of the ways in which imaginative literature has influenced human behavior and shaped cultural norms. By exploring the full spectrum of human behaviors and circumstances and by laying the groundwork for the cultivation of emotional intelligence and sympathetic imagination, the study of literature equips graduates to engage the world's intellectual, moral, and emotional complexities with insight and the potential for empathy. English majors refine their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a variety of analytic and creative situations from the textual analysis of poetry and prose to the study of literary history to dramatic performance. The English major with Honors further challenges Cadets to compose a lengthy academic research project in close consultation with a member of the doctoral faculty. With an English major, a Cadet graduates from West Point with the capacity to analyze textual evidence, to account for cultural context and complexity, to communicate precisely, and to imagine creative solutions to difficult problems. To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of English and Philosophy or the center associated with this department/area of study. Required CoursesEN300 LITERARY METHODOLOGIESEarly Period Survey (Choose 1)EN311 ANCIENT TO EARLY MODERN LIT EN321 AMERICAN LITERATURE I EN331 BRITISH LITERATURE I Late Period Survey (Choose 1)EN322 AMERICAN LITERATURE IIEN332 BRITISH LITERATURE IIEN340 CONTEMPORARY LITERATUREGenre Course (Choose 1)EN361 POETRY EN362 FILM AND FILM THEORY EN363 THE NOVEL EN364 DRAMA Sample ElectivesEN370 SHAKESPEARE EN371 SINGLE-AUTHOR COLLOQUIUM EN490 INDEPENDENT STUDY: LITERATUREHI392 AMERICAN HISTORICAL MEMORY HI461 TOPICS IN GENDER HISTORYEV365 GEOGRAPHY OF GLOBAL CULTURES EV471 ECOLOGY PY305 LOGICAL REASONING PY310 REALITY AND KNOWLEDGE PY320 ETHICS SS386 POLITICAL THOUGHTLW410 COMPARATIVE LEGAL SYSTEMS LW461 CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE LAW PL383 EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY PL393 CRIMINOLOGY-CRIM JUST SYSTM PL482 ARMED FORCES AND SOCIETY SS392 POLITICS-RACE,GENDER,SEXUALITY SS473 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY SS476 CONFLICT AND NEGOTIATION XH405 THE HOLOCAUST AND ITS LEGACY XH467 WINNING THE PEACE This major offers an honors track. To learn more, view the full English Major Curriculum. English majors have a number of enrichment opportunities including participation in activities like the Zengerle Family Lecture in the Arts and Humanities, the Creative Arts Project, and Partnership with Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company. Majors can also publish in the Circle in the Spiral (cadet creative writing publication), attend undergraduate conferences and trip sections to places like New York City (e.g., Libraries, Theaters, etc.). Cadets in this major have the opportunity to apply for a summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experience.Honor Societies:Golden Key - International Honour SocietyPhi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor SocietyTo learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of English and Philosophy or the center associated with this department/area of study.