Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

The degree in English requires 136 semester hours, which includes a minimum of 54 semester hours of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies (ERH) courses, 18 semester hours of additional requirements for the major, and 46 semester hours of Core Curriculum requirements. Additional courses to complete the requirements for graduation must be chosen by the cadet with the approval of his or her departmental adviser.

Degree Requirements & Year-by-Year Course Planning

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Concentrations & Minors

The Art History and Visual Culture concentration and minor prepare cadets for a world where the proliferation of images–in new media as well as in traditional forms–demands a critical engagement with the visual environment. Cadets following this track will improve their visual literacy through courses that stress close looking and critical thinking.

Cadets who pursue the Literary Studies minor or concentration will analyze significant works of literature in the context of the traditions and cultures that shaped and were shaped by them. Cadets will utilize various critical approaches to evaluate, understand, and respond to works from a variety of genres and historical periods in order to appreciate the important role of literature in reflecting and shaping one’s values, beliefs, and practices. 

A Philosophy minor or concentration  will develop cadets’ skills in analytical reasoning, critical thinking, argumentation, and textual analysis. Application of these skills is essential for the citizen-soldier, for each sharpens the cadet’s ability to evaluate and reason, learn from others, and communicate.

Cadets who choose to concentrate in or pursue a minor in Rhetoric and Writing will examine the philosophical and ethical foundations of rhetoric while developing and practicing the skills necessary for effective communication in public, professional, and private spheres. They learn to analyze rhetorically complex acts of communication (texts, speeches, images, gestures) by taking into consideration socio-political, historical, and cultural contexts in order to better understand human motives and enhance cooperation through the effective use of language.