debsta

Although I don't think that the PhD program in lit is that well run, the Renaissance area of the UMass Amherst English department is really remarkable. It draws great students because there is an extremely well established Renaissance Center, directed by Arthur Kinney. Kinney is a top-notch scholar and he works well with students. He's also a pretty big name so a lot of other scholars in that subfield want to come to the department to work with him. You'll find a pretty engaged and like-minded group of peers and a really solid community, with a lot of events and stuff going on, a lot of lectures and scholars coming through, a fair amount of performances and a great place to work. That said, I don't think much of the rest of the program. But if you are sure you want to pursue Renaissance literature and performance, you'll be well-suited in Amherst.

Nice! Welcome, neighbor. I'll be living in Weyburn too. Where are you coming from on the East? I am also a native Californian living on the East Coast for the past 5 years. I'll be starting a PhD in English literature. What is your subfield in comparative literature? With whom do you think to work? I'll see you around the humanities building, I suspect--I have a lot of cross over in the comparative literature department and I'm hoping to work in particular with Gil Hochberg and Ali Behdad.

I agree; it would be nice to have a built in community to start off with. I really don't know many people in LA so this would be neat. Plus, there is parking available: significant plus in Westwood. Being in walking distance to campus will also give me the opportunity to take advantage of the campus resources, and to walk to work--given that LA is a driving city (or so I'm told) it would be nice to have some walking time, especially since the weather is pretty reliably pleasant. I can definitely see myself enjoying taking daily strolls up the hill to campus instead of battling traffic to get there.

I have heard good things about Weyburn--that is where I will try to live.

Hi! What's your subfield?

Congratulations! What is your area? Are you familiar with LA?

Hey congratulations! Any thoughts about where to live? When are you planning to get there?

Anyone headed out to UCLA? I'm going for the English PhD program. Any other newbies?

Anyone for Germany research grants this year?