I do think there should be some English studies, but it should not be a primary focus. Reading books is a great way to help build empathy, and understanding how to read _well_ is a valuable tool in its own right.
Okay, yes, to be clear, I don't disagree with you here. Certainly literature and especially grammar classes can be a part of this. But if the government is going to steal my money to pay for locking people in little boxes, but then allows them to get degrees in poetry and climatology instead of veterinary medicine or computer science, well, that's doubly insulting to me.