Office of the Academic Dean/Department of English Studies, History, and Law: Register of Theme Subjects Assigned to Cadets of the Second Class by the Department of English, 1875-1882: Finding Aid
Published in May 2023
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6922
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: RG 405.4 Entry 190
- National Archives Identifier: 3174866
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Archives
- Title: Office of the Academic Dean/Department of English Studies, History, and Law: Register of Theme Subjects Assigned to Cadets of the Second Class by the Department of English
- Dates: 1875-1882
- Size: 1 linear inch
- Container Summary: 1 volume
- Creator: United States Naval Academy. Academic Dean
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: This entry contains a register of theme subjects assigned to cadets of the second class by the Department of English.
History of the Department of English, History, and Government
In 1845 the first organization of the Naval Academy provided for six professorships, one of them in history, geography and English grammar held by Chaplain George Jones. A major reorganization during the 1850-1851 academic year moved the history, geography and English grammar professorship into the department of ethics. The new department’s course of instruction included English grammar, rhetoric, physical and descriptive geography, history, moral philosophy, constitutional, national, and international law, and military and naval law. The academy renamed the department the Department of Ethics and English Studies in 1855. During the 1873-1874 academic year the academy again changed the name to the Department of English Studies, History and Law. During academic year 1895-1896 the academy changed the name to the Department of English. The academy retitled the organization the Department of English and Law during academic year 1899-1900, before again changing the name to the Department of English during academic year 1907-1908.
In 1937, the academy formed the Department of English, History, and Government by merging the Department of Economics and Government with the Department of English and History. Thirty-two years later, in September of 1969, the Naval Academy's academic program underwent a seismic shift with the implementation of the majors program. The resulting reorganization of the academic departments saw the Department of English, History, and Government subsumed into the Division of English and History (later the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences). Under the new organization, the individual subject components became their own departments, each in turn offering their own majors.
Description of Contents
This entry contains a register of theme subjects assigned to cadets of the second class by the Department of English and History. The instructor assigned most subjects (from three or four topics, usually of literary or historical significance), but allowed cadets to select their own topics at intervals. The volume also records suggested references for the cadets to consult, and average grade marks.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date of assignment.
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
Generally, materials produced by Federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Any non-government publications held herein may still be subject to copyright. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
Other Finding Aid(s)
National Archives Catalog entry available electronically at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/3174866.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Custodial History
RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy is the property of the National Archives and Records Administration. The materials are housed at the United States Naval Academy, William W. Jeffries Memorial Archives, an affiliated archive, as per a Memorandum of Agreement between the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Naval Academy.
Related Materials
Location of Related Materials
Other records produced by the Department of Ethics and English Studies and its departmental successors throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries may be found in entry 184: “Journal of Instructions, Orders, and Examination Questions, 1866-1873” (NAID: 3174826); entry 185: “Class Assignments, 1873-1882” (NAID: 3174844); entry 186: “Journal and Order Book, 1874–1879” (NAID: 3174855); entry 187: “History Examination Questions, 1873–1879” (NAID: 3174863); entry 188: “Journal of Examinations and Assignments, 1874–1875” (NAID: 3174864); entry 189: “Law Examination Questions, 1874-1882” (NAID: 3174865); entry 191: “Detail and Arrangement Book, 1878–1884” (NAID: 3174868); entry 192: “Registers of the Midshipmen's Weekly Grades and Averages, 1882–1903” (NAID: 3174870); entry 193: “Daily Log, 1894-1895” (NAID: 3174883); entry 194: “Mark Books of Professor A. N. Brown of the Department of English Studies, History, and Law, 1894–1898” (NAID: 3174889); entry 195: “English Notebook, 1895-1897” (NAID: 3174892); entry 196: “Lists of Monthly Section Arrangements, 1900–1902” (NAID: 3174895); entry 197: “English and Law Notebook of Midshipman T. J. Reidy, 1903–1904” (NAID: 3174896); entry 198: “Press Copies of Letters Sent, 1905–1908” (NAID: 3174897); entry 199: “Orders and Memoranda, 1907–1915” (NAID: 3179939); entry 200: “Forms and Printed Notes, 1910” (NAID: 3179941); and entry 201: “Copies of Monthly, Semiannual, and Annual Examination Questions, 1913–1917” (NAID: 3179957).
Later twentieth century records produced by the Department of English History and Government and its organizational successors may be found in entry 201a: “Records of the Department of English, History and Government, 1907-1972”; and entry 201h: “Records of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, 1919-1998.”
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Office of the Academic Dean/Department of English Studies, History, and Law: Register of Theme Subjects Assigned to Cadets of the Second Class by the Department of English, 1875–1882, RG 405.4 Entry 190
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the historical note:
Sweetman, Jack. The U.S. Naval Academy: An Illustrated History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute Press, 1979.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Samuel Limneos in April 2023. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in May 2023. Historical Sketch and Scope and Content Note adapted in part from Inventory of Records Group 405 by Geraldine N. Phillips and Aloha South, 1975.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Naval Education -- United States
- United States Naval Academy
- United States Naval Academy -- Curricula
- United States Naval Academy -- Faculty
- United States Naval Academy -- History – 19th century
- United States Naval Academy -- Students
- United States Naval Academy. Department of Ethics and English Studies
- United States Naval Academy. Office of the Academic Dean
Genre Terms
- Grade books
- Instructional materials
- Registers (lists)