Roos3

I've seen questions dealing with the issues surrounding crossing the Atlantic during one's academic career, but I'd like to raise a more specific dimension of it. I'm currently applying to MA programs (In the US and abroad), and I'm hoping to eventually pursue a doctorate in English Literature and teach. I've seen advice suggesting that it's best to earn your doctorate in the US if you'll be teaching there, or in the UK if you'll be working there - but in my case, I'd ideally like to work in both countries at different points in my career. Does anyone have any advice on this subject, and how to approach this?

Thanks, I'll look into it.

I'm really interested in this conversation, because I'm currently applying for fall 2014, and I'm looking at schools in the UK (including Oxford) and schools in the US. My principal area of interest looks at elements that emerge out of western European pre-medieval and medieval literatures and folklores, and are carried forward to appear in modern works (largely fantasy, but not limited to this). For instance, my undergraduate thesis dealt with the concept of Faërie/the Otherworld, primarily in pre-medieval mythology and medieval literature, but also in Tolkien's fiction. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions as to whether Oxford would be a good or poor fit for this kind of research. On the one hand, they have a good medieval program, which is essential, but I would also need advisors who are supportive of extracanonical research. Also, regarding the issue of teaching while studying in Britain and the limiting effect of the job market, I wonder if you have any advice for me. While I'm looking at schools in the US, I would greatly prefer to study and work in Britain for a number of years. The problem is, I don't really want to stay there for my entire career, and my understanding is that it's harder to study in one country and work in another. Are there things that can be done to mitigate this issue?

Thanks for the advice!

Thanks, I appreciate the advice!

I'm looking for doctoral programs, either for the fall of next year, or for a year or two down the road and after my master's, where I can pursue research that happens to combine works from a well-established canon with less canonical works. Specifically, I'm looking to do research on elements that appear in medieval works from northwestern Europe (principally Germanic and Celtic Europe), and that also carry over into modern works that draw inspiration from those sources (I would offer fantasy as a genre as one example of this, though it is not the only one). For instance, my undergraduate thesis dealt with the concept of Faërie, the Otherworld, as it appeared in Celtic mythology, Norse mythology, English literature, and Tolkien's works. I imagine that it is probably difficult to find programs and advisors for research of this kind, so I am posting to get suggestions of departments to look into and individuals to potentially contact. I have already been pursuing this with my undergraduate professors, so I am looking to supplement their advice. Thanks!

I'm currently trying to find master's programs that will give me a grounding in Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic languages, medieval literatures, and cultures in preparation for pursuing a doctorate in English Lit that draws on this background. I know that Cambridge has a department for this, but I'm looking to put together a list of everywhere that covers these areas so that I can look into more schools. Does anyone have suggestions of where I should look? I'm American, but location isn't an issue. Thanks!