Final Answer:
Capitalize specific courses of study, but not general areas of study.
Step-by-step explanation:
In English grammar, the general rule for capitalization is to capitalize proper nouns, including the names of specific courses of study, but not general areas of study. When referring to a particular course or program, such as Introduction to Psychology or Advanced Quantum Mechanics, it is appropriate to capitalize the specific course title. However, when discussing broader fields of study like psychology or physics, it is customary to use lowercase letters.
This guideline helps maintain consistency and clarity in writing. Capitalizing specific courses of study highlights their distinct and specific nature, making it clear that you are referring to a particular academic program. On the other hand, keeping general areas of study in lowercase avoids unnecessary capitalization and adheres to standard grammatical conventions. Adhering to this practice ensures that readers can easily distinguish between specific courses and broader disciplines within the context of written communication.
For instance, compare She is majoring in Psychology (referring to the general field of study) with She is taking a course in Abnormal Psychology (referring to a specific course within the broader field). This distinction aids readers in understanding the level of specificity in the reference and contributes to effective and grammatically sound writing.