Department of English and World Languages (DEWL)
Department of English and World Languages (DEWL)
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About the Department
The Department of English and World Languages develops cadets’ communicative, cultural, and critical thinking skills through coursework in literature and literary methodologies, along with linguistic, cultural, civilizational, media, and military studies. The Department offers four different majors across two divisions, as well as a Regional Studies minor.
Through four essential core courses—one in Composition, another in Literature, and a two-course sequence in a world language—the Department provides every cadet a common foundation in constructing and interpreting meaning through language.
Department graduates are well-prepared for 21st-century Army officership, equipped with the cultural, communicative, and intellectual skills necessary for leadership and service to the nation.
Majors
In addition to the English Division’s major, the World Languages Division offers a single or dual Language major (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish) and a Foreign Area Studies major (Africa, East Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East).
Minors
Cadets can choose from one of six minor tracks: Middle East, East Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, or Eurasia.
Research
Explore research conducted by our cadets and faculty.
Internships
The Department’s language and cultural immersion experiences include semester-length and short-term opportunities around the world. For information about the Semester Abroad Program (SAP), please visit the Clubs & Programs section.
Events & Activities
Check out the recurring Conference on Language, Culture, and Military – hosted by our department!
Clubs & Programs
The Department of English and World Languages is a proud steward of the Cadet Humanities Forum, which, along with our semester abroad program, encourages cadets' artistic development, creativity, and appreciation for culture and the arts at West Point and beyond.
COL John Baskerville
Professor & Department Head
Colonel John Baskerville holds a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in Arabic Studies and holds master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Middle Eastern Studies and from the U.S. Army War College in Strategic Studies. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Arabic and French Studies from the United States Military Academy. As an Army officer, Colonel Baskerville has served in several leadership roles as an Aviation officer and as an Army Foreign Area Officer, with a Middle East regional specialty.
Contact Us
UPS/FEDEX Mailing address:
United States Military Academy
ATTN: MADN-EWL
745 Brewerton Road
West Point, New York 10996-1905
Phone: (845) 938-2400
Fax: (845) 938-3585
Prospective Staff & Faculty
Want to learn more about becoming an academic instructor in the Department of English and World Languages?