Understanding the correct usage of academic department names is essential for clear and professional writing. Do you want to know how do we write academic departments in the AP style. Here’s everything!
Do Not Capitalize > If you are referring an academic department, remember to write it in lowercase.
You can only capitalize when you come up with a proper noun
For example,
• The department of English.
• The department of mass communication.
and,
• The department of arts.
• The department of Canadian literature.
In the above examples, English and Canadian are both proper nouns. That is why, AP Style allows them to be capitalized. However, the words mass communication, arts and history are common nouns. They can not be capitalized.
Capitalize A Formal Name
According to AP Style, if you are referring a unit by its official full name, then it is necessary to capitalize it. For example,
• The Department of European Union.
• The School of Thoughts.
Check Out: How Do We Write “A” and “An” in AP Style.
Special Cases: Interdisciplinary Departments
Interdisciplinary departments, which combine elements from multiple fields of study, often require careful attention to AP Style guidelines. When naming these departments, the capitalization rules generally follow the same principles as standard departments, but clarity is key.
Lowercase Usage
When referring to an interdisciplinary department in a general sense, use lowercase. For example:
- “The department of environmental studies focuses on the intersection of science and policy.”
- “The department of global health and sociology offers joint courses.”
Capitalization of Proper Nouns
If the name includes proper nouns, capitalize them accordingly. For example:
- “The Department of Environmental Science and Policy emphasizes sustainability.”
- “The School of International Relations and Public Affairs prepares students for global careers.”
Formal Titles
If the department has a formal, recognized name, it should be capitalized:
- “The Department of Neuroscience and Psychology integrates research from both fields.”
- “The College of Arts and Sciences offers a program in Gender Studies.”
When Describing
When discussing the nature of the department, keep it lowercase unless specifying the formal name:
- “The interdisciplinary department of biochemistry and molecular biology conducts innovative research.”
- “Students can enroll in the joint department of anthropology and sociology.”
What Did You Learn?
You must have figured out the answer to “How Do We Write AP style academic departments?” Common department names should be written in lowercase. Such as “the department of history,” while proper nouns, like “the Department of English,” are capitalized. Formal titles must be capitalized. For example, “the Department of European Union.”