USC95

Thank you for all the info! I majored in Philosophy (ethics emphasis) as an undergrad, and I only began learning about Wittgenstein a few years ago. His later work really interests me, and I'd love to learn more. Truly appreciate it!

I loved ZAMM! It had very little to do with Philosophy, however, and really nothing to do with Zen. It was a mystery story of a man who had a serious mental breakdown in the past, trying to live life with a new identity and hold it together for his son (who apparently was trusting enough to go on a cross-country road trip). As you descend with the narrator into his strange dark pit of self-realization, you get to experience his "observational" approach at life, living in the moment, focusing on the minute details of driving across the landscape... all the while wondering what the heck is really going on. That said, it's not for everyone. The second time I read it, I skipped most of the parts where he describes how to get the right fuel-air mix in the gas line ; )

Any recommendations on current faculty who have specialized in Wittgenstein and/or the Philosophy of Language? Also any specific grad programs you would recommend? MIT seems to have a lot of faculty in the Philosophy of Language, but I'm not sure if there are any specific schools or scholars that are considers "experts" in this specific field of Philosophy. Thanks for any recommendations you may have!

Thanks for the reply. That's what I was thinking, as well. Thanks again!

I've got a related question if anyone is still reading this thread months later... Will a "stellar" GPA from a Master's Program in History at a low profile school (like MTSU) help one get into one of those "elite" programs? I graduated nearly 15 years ago from USC (Philosophy/Religion) with a 3.7 GPA, and a History professor at WashU suggested I get an M.A. before applying for a Ph.D. program because I have little formal History training. I was wondering if a "stellar" GPA at MTSU will even be a blip on the radar for the top 10 History programs. GRE scores are good (800 Q / 720 V), but I've heard they really don't count for much compared to LoR, personal statement, and established relationships with Profs. Any advice? Should I spend a couple years at MTSU on an M.A.? Will it help?

Africagirl, Thanks for your thoughts on this. I would definitely prefer to be "based" in academia and only branch out into a government role as a secondary role, but yes - I've been considering schools in the DC area on this. I'm just not sure if researching the history and future of US-China Relations would be better pursued in the History or Political Science realm. I know a lot of it overlaps, but I wondering about research methods and the philosophical approach to studying my subject as a "political scientist" vs an "historian". And as you suggested, studying at a Policy school might be my best choice for what I'd like to do. I will keep researching this topic before moving forward. I truly appreciate your advice!

Cooperstreet, Thanks for the insight. I'll definitely take a more critical look at my thinking, because I honestly do believe much of contemporary foreign policy is based in history - even ancient history. Maybe not so much for the U.S. proper (because we're only a few hundred years old), but we certainly have a strong inheritance of those imperialist motivations Ferguson tends to venerate, which can be traced back through most of Western Culture. I certainly don't want to get "lost" in ancient history since my interests are much more contemporary, but I don't think it is ethno-centric to consider cultural histories as affecting foreign policies. And thanks for the tremendous references you've given me. I've got a good reading list ahead of me before I make any moves. I'm not applying to any school for this admissions round, and I'll use this next season to research those current debates you mentioned. You've been a great help.

Amanda1655 & Slawkenbergius, Thanks for your feedback. I would love to study at Harvard. Ferguson was gracious to send me an email in response to a book review I submitted, and it would be a honor to work with him (even if I'm not dogmatic follower of his ideas). If I was to ever make it into Harvard, would you suggest going for the Kennedy School of Govt or the History department? Again, I would like to pursue an academic career with the option to "cross-over" into a policy advisory role - and I'm sure I could dive into my intended research in either school (correct assumption?) given the great resources in Boston - but what would you advise? Thanks for your thoughts!

Cooperstreet, I've never thought about it in terms of competition before... thanks for the perspective. My inclination is to focus on Chinese foreign policy, understanding how it has dealt with all foreign powers from a cultural point of view going back thousands of years and how such historic forces influence contemporary (and future) foreign policy. Of course, I am deeply interested in how the US and China will interact, but like you said - there are hundreds of qualified people from whom to draw US foreign policy research. This whole interaction is really helping me clarify my research interests. Thanks! I am still a bit concerned that the issues you mentioned, "arms control, or nuclear weapon proliferation," seem to fall into the Political Science realm. This is the practical application of foreign policy, and such studies are intrinsic to my intended research. Would it make a big difference if I was in a History program with a strong PolySci emphasis vs the converse situation? Is a History PhD more/less marketable than a degree in PolySci, given that my research may be identical? What do you think?

I would like to eventually have a PhD to teach at the university level, as well as spend the extra time developing a seminal work (under some great advisors) for a dissertation in my area of interest. However, I am a bit confused whether I should shoot for an M.A. first in an attempt to "get back into academia." Although I do hold an M.A. in intercultural studies from an accredited seminary, none of my classes were formal History courses, and I do not have a thesis to present as a sample writing project. My interest in history and foreign policy has developed over the last decade working in international contexts, and my academic background in those fields are lacking. Would you recommend an Masters at a policy school or other program? While I want to stay "rooted" in academia, I do want to cross-over into foreign policy advisory role in the future as well.

Thanks for your input. I recently met with a professor who suggested I actually get an MA before applying for a PhD program because I've been out of school so long. I was a Philosophy and Religion undergrad with very little political science or official "History" classes in my curriculum. Most of my History classes were all in the my respective departments (History of Ethics, History of Christianity, History of Islam, etc.). So I guess I understand his advice - still, I'd rather go straight into a PhD program. Regarding the PhD program at Yale - is that in History? You mentioned that Yale does not offer one in IR. Thanks for your help!

I am much more inclined to narratives, and I tend to use quantitative data only as an exercise in rhetoric (to persuade). I consider models to be based on patterns of similar narratives and are very useful for understanding cultural/political movements. But I would tend to look at historical developments and complex human/cultural motivations to determine "what is really going on" before turning toward published sociological studies filled with stats and numbers. I've just seen stats abused too many times as an effective form of modern rhetoric. This really helps! Again, I think I'm leaning toward the history route based on your feedback. The phrase "figure out the odds" based on history is borderline heresy for how I consider international affairs. I am much more likely to consider historic motivations, culture, ethnicity, religion, economic factors, etc. when understanding tension between Taipei & Beijing or unrest in Tehran, etc. Thanks for your comment on teaching about ancient China. Good reality check. I think I would enjoy it as long as I can tie those ancient developments into the cultural motivations driving contemporary foreign policy. I'm definitely more interested in security studies than how the Great Wall was constructed, but they are closely related. Thanks for bringing up that possibility. Thanks so much for your help.

I've got a question burning in my soul.... Should I study History, Political Science, or Public Policy? Here are my research interests: - History of U.S.-China Foreign Policy - History of International Diplomacy - International Security Studies - History of Humanitarian Intervention I've been influenced by the works of Niall Ferguson (Harvard-History), Gary Bass (Princeton-Politics), Philip Bobbitt (UT-Law), and I am an avid fan of studying the biographies of the U.S. Secretary of State. I would love to research, write, and teach at the university level on the history and future of U.S. - China foreign policy, and perhaps even serve in a government advisory role some day. Personally, I feel that U.S.-Chinese relations will dominate the political and global scene for the next 50-100 years - a subject of which I am passionately interested. Here are some personal stats for your reference: - Out of school since 1995 - No current writing sample - GRE: 800 Math/720 Verbal/4.0 Writing - A lot of international NGO experience (14 years) - Fluent conversational Mandarin Thanks for any advice you might offer. I truly appreciate it!

I've got a question burning in my soul.... Should I study History, Political Science, or Public Policy? Here are my research interests: - History of U.S.-China Foreign Policy - History of International Diplomacy - International Security Studies - History of Humanitarian Intervention I've been influenced by the works of Niall Ferguson (Harvard-History), Gary Bass (Princeton-Politics), Philip Bobbitt (UT-Law), and I am an avid fan of studying the biographies of the U.S. Secretary of State. I would love to research, write, and teach at the university level on the history and future of U.S. - China foreign policy, and perhaps even serve in a government advisory role some day. Personally, I feel that U.S.-Chinese relations will dominate the political and global scene for the next 50-100 years - a subject of which I am passionately interested. Here are some personal stats for your reference: - Out of school since 1995 - No current writing sample - GRE: 800 Math/720 Verbal/4.0 Writing - A lot of international NGO experience (14 years) - Fluent conversational Mandarin Thanks for any advice you might offer. I truly appreciate it!

I've got a question burning in my soul.... Should I study History, Political Science, or Public Policy? Here are my research interests: - History of U.S.-China Foreign Policy - History of International Diplomacy - International Security Studies - History of Humanitarian Intervention I've been influenced by the works of Niall Ferguson (Harvard-History), Gary Bass (Princeton-Politics), Philip Bobbitt (UT-Law), and I am an avid fan of studying the biographies of the U.S. Secretary of State. I would love to research, write, and teach at the university level on the history and future of U.S. - China foreign policy, and perhaps even serve in a government advisory role some day. Personally, I feel that U.S.-Chinese relations will dominate the political and global scene for the next 50-100 years - a subject of which I am passionately interested. Here are some personal stats for your reference: - Out of school since 1995 - No current writing sample - GRE: 800 Math/720 Verbal/4.0 Writing - A lot of international NGO experience (14 years) - Fluent conversational Mandarin Thanks for any advice you might offer. I truly appreciate it!