
bhr
Members-
Posts
481 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Everything posted by bhr
-
Any reputable online grad schools?
bhr replied to bobbystrange's topic in Coursework, Advising, and Exams
Lots of programs offer online versions of their MA or PhD programs, with reduced residency requirements. For example, in RhetComp, both Old Dominion and Texas Tech (good programs) offer online degrees that require grad students to spend only a few weeks or less a summer on campus. Schools like the University of Maryland and Arizona State have robust online programs. That said, some fields may not offer full degrees online through reputable programs, and, if the eventual goal is teaching or research with that PhD you are going to have a hard time finding a job coming out of a distance program -
I'm not sure where the previous poster is coming from, but that is an incredibly uncommon practice. While many MA programs only offer partial funding, or none at all, it's uncommon for them to not put up front how long your funding is for (1yr, 2yr, 4yr). Some can't guarantee a second year (because MAs are second priority in many cases behind PhDs) but to pull funding without warning from every 2nd year MA is just idiotic and going to lead to a bunch of people not finishing.
-
Pros and Cons of Attending Part-Time My First Semester?
bhr replied to drunkenduck's topic in Coursework, Advising, and Exams
This is a conversation to have with your DGS and advisor. First, six credits is likely still considered full-time (particularly if it's a 30 credit program). Second, your advisor usually has the ability to authorize those swaps. I would sit down and plan out what all four semesters would look like. My program is 30 credits as well, and suggests that we never take more than 6 credits of seminar classes (the onboarding class is 3 credits, but no major research is required, and most people do a 3 credit practicum or take a summer course). -
Potential advisor on leave first year?
bhr replied to thinkingandthinking's topic in Coursework, Advising, and Exams
I've never had a course with my MA advisor (and likely won't during my PhD either, as he's now an admin), and agree with everyone else that there are other ways to build that relationship. Little things, like going to their talks or reading their publications, are great, but don't be afraid to engage them either. If you know you are going to be at a major conference, ask them if you can tag along with them for a bit. They get to show you off to their peers, you find out about the big conversations they are a part of, and other people associate you with your advisor. You are in the humanities, as am I, and I think we have a less-formal relationship with our faculty. Obviously, every program/advisor is different, but I would even consider asking them to coffee/beer occasionally. Particularly if you are moving to a new city for school, I don't see any problem with you reaching out to this potential advisor and saying "hey, I'm going to be moving to town on XXXXX, would it be possible that we could grab lunch before the semester stars and make some plans for the year?" (If that's something you would want). I know everyone wants different types of advising, but I like that I can have a beer with my committee a couple times a month, just to informally discuss things. -
Trouble communicating with my advisor.
bhr replied to TheLostExploration's topic in Coursework, Advising, and Exams
I'll add in that, in many cases, you advisor/committee can authorize substitutions at their convenience/what they think is best for you. I would try to get your whole committee, if not just your advisor, to meet, with an agenda of addressing what you've taken, what you should take, ect. -
I'm sorry, but you just need to grow up. Not every class/meeting/event is going to be to your liking, and if you go to either industry or academia that is going to be a regular thing. Look at this as job training.
-
Fall 2017 Applicants
bhr replied to Dr. Old Bill's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
What do you want to do after grad school? I like the program at Florida, at least, as far as their production goes, but they have an awful placement rate, from what I understand. -
During my MA I presented at CCCC (RNF and a workshop), Computers and Writing, and HASTAC (2x), along with some regional stuff Conferences that don't require a flight can be incredibly affordable. Room with a few people, and contact the organizers about volunteering. I did a games conference with a $300 registration fee for free by working 8 hours at the registration table.
-
I taught as instructor of record for both years of my MA (with no teaching exp), but, as everyone else has said, it's about the school/program needs and commitments. You can also seek out independent RA/GA positions with Writing Centers, ResLife,Tutoring Centers, ect.
-
Fall 2017 Applicants
bhr replied to Dr. Old Bill's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I would hold off a bit. Washington State C/R just dropped the GRE, and I would expect to see some other top programs join the bandwagon soon. -
Fall 2017 Applicants
bhr replied to Dr. Old Bill's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Indiana just launched a program this year that you should look at. It's going to be small for the first few years, but that comes with lots of benefits, plus the B1G in general is where most of the top R/C programs are, so there are lots of connections. Not that USF is a bad program, by any means. -
Waitlist Movements
bhr replied to Two-Headed Boy's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I was at that party! There were beads. This year's was in a hotel room as well, but was too crowded so I skipped out to the Fountainhead Party at House of Blues.- 145 replies
-
You don't think a political science department has a right to decide what sort of political approaches/beliefs their students have? What if they want to ensure a balance between conservative and progressive students? Or a department can't choose not to admit a student who insults professors? What if a student said "homosexuality is illegal and immoral and I hate all gay people" in an interview, and the department has multiple gay students and professors? What if the student has a swastika tattoo and is interviewing to work with a Jewish PI/Advisor? Can an instructor limit the topics of a paper to a specific area? Can they make students write about an opinion they don't share, or read a book by a faculty member they disagree with? Can they stop a student from sharing pictures of aborted fetuses during class? What if the student refuses to be quiet when asked? Is this protected free speech? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYDL2I6Vdi8 Is this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLPMFJSKd3c Guess what, departments can even use factors like race, religion, gender, and sexuality as an admission criteria (under some circumstances). If my department, for example, wants to make sure that 50% of all admissions this year are WoC, because they believe that that group has been underrepresented in the department/field in the past, the courts have generally held that to be legal. I'm right, you are either a troll or an idiot.
- 56 replies
-
- graduate school
- first amendment
- (and 13 more)
-
You have to be a sockpuppet/fake account/troll. No one considering grad school could be this dumb. Again, THIS IS NOT HOW THE FIRST AMENDMENT WORKS. IT HAS NEVER BEEN HOW THE FIRST AMENDMENT WORKS. If they choose to not admit you because you said something related to your membership in a protected class, than you would have a case, but that has NOT ONE FUCKING THING to do with the first amendment. The first amendment protects you from being silenced by the government (or government agencies). While public schools have generally been held to the standard of allowing all speech on campus, that doesn't mean that they have to be accepting of all speech. A college can definitely choose to expel, for example, a medical student who goes off on a 20 minute rant about the ACA during an interview, or a math student who calls Euclid a queer, or even a political science student who claims Reagan was America's greatest president. Let's give you a different scenario: Assume that a student admitted to the University of College was a Neo Nazi. Now, the school didn't know this from their application for admission, and didn't conduct interview. The student comes to campus the first day and starts screaming "Jews are ruining the University of College," and "Hitler was right". Now, it seems to me that the school would have a vested interest in removing that student from class/the dorm. They aren't saying that the student doesn't have the right to say those things, or that the student can't say them on campus, but they can definitely say that that behavior is incompatible with the standards of the university. Now here's an incredibly easy one: I'm a TA, and therefor an employee of my university. If I have a student stand up in class and go on a 20 minute pro-Bernie Sanders speech would I have the right to remove him from class, or call the police to do so? Would I have a right to mark him down for interrupting class? Would I be forced to allow him back into class?
- 56 replies
-
- graduate school
- first amendment
- (and 13 more)
-
This is so far from how the first amendment works I'm not even sure where to begin. Discrimination isn't even illegal (unless it's against specific, protected classes). A program is perfectly able to decide to admit students based on their personal beliefs (again, as long as we aren't touching protected class issues) including politics (which makes sense. An environmental science program may not want to admit a student who doesn't believe in global warming).
- 56 replies
-
- graduate school
- first amendment
- (and 13 more)
-
How to response to "Do you mind telling me which program are you attending?"
bhr replied to AngryRobot!'s question in Questions and Answers
I'll add in that it helps schools build funding/recruitment packages for future years to know who they are losing students to and why. Schools want to know who they are competing with, and it only seems to benefit programs -
Fully Funded Masters in Rhetoric and Composition
bhr replied to sarah9's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
If you want to do Writing Center work (or really, any specific work) it's always best to go see who is doing it in the field, who is publishing/teaching/chairing/editing, and see where they went to school. For example, I know at least two of the board members of ECWCA went to MSU, while a couple others went to MTSU. -
2016 Acceptance Thread
bhr replied to BarAndFrills's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Well, it's done. I've turned down my other offers and accepted a PhD slot at my MA school. Time to celebrate with beer -
Celebrate Good Times (Come On)
bhr replied to ProfLorax's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
If we don't have lunch in Houston I'm going to be furious! -
2016 Acceptance Thread
bhr replied to BarAndFrills's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Waiting for a financial counter/acceptance from my selected program. I got greedy,and now the wait is killing me. -
2016 Acceptance Thread
bhr replied to BarAndFrills's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Mazel Tov! I'm flying from Michigan to Tempe for a conference in May, and can't wait to see the sun for more than three hours a day. -
Fully Funded Masters in Rhetoric and Composition
bhr replied to sarah9's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
I'll second asking questions about fees, and insurance, and how many course credits, ect. come with "full funding". I took some loans out for my MA, because I didn't want to struggle, but didn't want a roommate, but they were for lifestyle (like avoiding living near undergrads in EL). Full funding offers at some schools would have still left me short 4-5k a semester. Also check if they are renewable or guaranteed by year or semester. WRAC at MSU only offers one year renewable for MAs, but it's almost always renewed (hooray for my bank account!), while other programs it's more competitive for the second year. Talking to current grad students about livability is helpful -
Fully Funded Masters in Rhetoric and Composition
bhr replied to sarah9's topic in Literature, and Rhetoric and Composition
Most MA programs in Rhet/Comp offer some level of assistantships and funding. It's the nature of the beast. The question will become what sort of work you want to do, where you want to live, and what your goal (CC teaching, PhD prep, other jobs) for your MA is. -
Reach out to the DGS and ask her these questions. Is this provisional or merely a chance to improve your app for next year? Will there be opportunities for funding? What was missing from your app that made them want you to "prove" yourself.