[On writing sample, which to submit?]

The short answer is submit your best paper... A well-argued piece with some original thought, perhaps related to your proposed research.

[The ways in which...]

I do just wonder how it came to be, and why so many people adopt it - i.e. people in my program who didn't say it at the beginning of the year have started to throw in 'the ways in which' into their speech. I find it interesting how many of us start using these terms... I imagine in an effort to sound 'more academic'...

[The ways in which...]

Until I started in Anthropology, I'd never seen so many people use 'the ways in which'... What is wrong with 'how'?!?! Is this a social science thing?

I suppose my question here is... do you use 'the ways in which', and if so, why that construction instead of another one? 

[Time off between undergrad and grad?]

I took four years off before starting my MA in Anthropology. I spent time living in two different countries, working a couple different jobs, and ultimately starting my own business. The time I spent abroad has really shaped my research question and I'm one of the few in my cohort not being discouraged from extended field work (I'm planning on 4 months compared to 3-6 weeks for others) because I have already made connections with potential interlocutors and have experience in my field site. I find that professors take me much more seriously now. They know I'm not studying because I had no idea what to do after my undergrad, but that I really want to be there. Also, there is a vast difference between the contributions people with 'life experience' make and those perpetual students make in class. Even my attitude towards studying is completely different than undergrad and different from others in my cohort. I'm a huge proponent of taking some time off!

[CGS-M 2015-1016]

Deadline has been extended 24 hours - check portal!

[Advice for incoming students without Anthropology background?]

I came into an anthropology PhD program with a background in agronomy and applied anthropology. In the summer before the program started I read as much foundational theory as I could (Marx, Durkheim, Malinowski, Freud, etc) because I was worried about being too far behind. Looking back on it, I would have been better off reading some interesting novels, relaxing, and reflecting on what I wanted to get out of my PhD and research. It wasn't wasted time by any means, but realize that you'll be spending your first year reading a LOT of social theory and it might be best to let that happen when it happens. Also, remember that even if you don't have a strong background in anthropological theory, your background will bring other strengths and people will appreciate that.

 

On fieldwork, in U.S. universities research abroad is almost required. It's different in the UK, where fewer do research abroad and some do not do original fieldwork.

 

That is true. Someone just kind of put it into my head that I should get a jump on my coursework when I'd been thinking I would just get started when everyone else did... Interesting, I'm pleased to know that the option is there. It makes the idea of quitting travelling a bit more bearable.

[Advice for incoming students without Anthropology background?]

I went into my MA without a background in anthro (and I survived!). I'm now doing my PhD in anthro. I'd recommend contacting the GPD and finding out who is doing the theory course, then asking if you can get a copy of the syllabus in advance and/or last year's syllabus, then start doing some reading! YorkU's anthro program is known as being quite theoretically rigorous so I'd focus on theory before other materials. Also, if you can get a list of books, try reading critiques and reviews of each book as that can help prepare you for some of the common discussions that are going on in anthropology regarding a certain text/theory/etc. I'd also be prepared for a very heavy workload (one of the general differences between BA and MA).

 

That's very reassuring, thank you! It's good to know that the program emphasizes theory, I certainly need it and I suppose it means I won't be at too much of a disadvantage after the first year. I think that the one advantage I do have is in terms of managing my time and not being afraid of a heavy workload -- that's a typical day as a freelancer! 

[Advice for incoming students without Anthropology background?]

Hello James!

 

I have a cohort friend who is in a similar position as you, but their degree is not in psychology; rather, it is in a dramatically different field (think 'hard sciences'). So this may be a bit of a stretch, so take this with a pinch of salt. 

 

I think my friend's biggest struggle was the theoretical aspects of the coursework. For me, I already had training in a lot of anthropological theory and methods. A lot of terms that I considered basic were hard for my friend to understand because they were never exposed to them. I recommend the book "Anthropological Theory: An Introductory History" by McGee and Warms if you aren't familiar with the basics of ethnography and the history of ethnographic fieldwork. I've used this book at least 3x during my undergrad years, and a lot of the material is repetitive in graduate school. It may be worth investing in and reading over. But it does sound like your coursework in equity studies may have you well prepared, so it honestly depends on your comfort level. Also try to become familiar with the type of theoretical background that the professors you will be working with have. See how they put that into their own research. This has been difficult for not just my friend but a lot of other cohorts as well. 

 

It is possible that you can collect data abroad, but that has to be with you and your committee. Do they think it's a good idea for you to go abroad? Will going abroad be able to match your study questions? Etc. I think only you and your committee can truly answer that question. I have two friends who are traveling abroad to do field research this summer, and I also have friends who are staying in-state to do research. So there is variation on how research is conducted. 

 

Sorry this is kind of vague. I hope it is somewhat helpful! 

 

Thanks for the recommendation! I just looked at the book and I'm familiar with a few of the theorists so I suppose that's a good sign.

[Advice for incoming students without Anthropology background?]

Hi everyone! I'll be heading to YorkU in September for a masters in Social Anthropology. I studied Psychology and Equity Studies at U of T for my undergrad -- 4 years ago. I've been teaching abroad in the French West Indies and working as a freelance writer since then, so I've been out of academia for awhile... 

 

I'm interested in lifestyle migrants of colour and their experiences integrating abroad, potentially in the Caribbean and/or Europe. I've been pondering two things: 

 

1) Should I do any reading over the summer to prepare and what would you suggest? I did some Facebook creeping and it seems my cohort is full of fresh grads out of anthropology. I've never even taken an anthropology course... I was mostly interested in ethnographic research methods, and the idea of travelling.

 

2) Will I have the opportunity to do field research abroad? I'm still a bit unclear as to how that works. It's a two year program. I suppose I could just ask the department but I didn't want to seem overly keen about leaving the country!

 

Thanks in advance!