1Q84

Some perhaps dumb questions: 1. I keep seeing talk about recently hired "rock stars." Can someone tell me who these profs are? I, unfortunately, am not one who keeps abreast of a wide-breadth of rock star scholars (I tend to only know the really big names or ones who are big in my field). 2. It looks like sci-fi and technoculture is a speciality of the department. Is that considered UCR's "specialty" among the UCs?

To your first point, I had a student this semester "advise" me twice about my teaching practice, once in my office and once in front of the entire class. So it's not outside the realm of the possible... my student clearly has some interpersonal quirks so I didn't take it personally. He's also prone to outbursts with other students too, though, so he's been a case that I've been working on a lot lately. In terms of the TA, I think it's actually that student's condescending advice that (understandably) got her a little too heated for the rest of the conversation. The TA changed the course of the conversation for the worse though when she stepped outside of the philosophical discussion about Rawls' principle. The bolded part in the Atlantic article is quite important: and then later Obviously, being gay myself, I disagree with the student's basic argument (and I would argue that it was deliberately specious in order to provoke the TA) but I don't think the TA should have taken the bait or engaged with said argument outside of the bounds of the philosophical debate (Rawl's principle). By dictating what opinions he may or may not express by stating that it would be homophobic and against class rules, she played right into McAdam's hands. I don't think the student did anything wrong, technically, other than perhaps deliberately presenting an easily-discreditable opinion.

A good reminder. However, my big fear (that is, if and when I will be in the position to negotiate) is that I come off as crass or grasping. I'm reminded that I will be working with these people for the next 5-6 years, so I don't want to make a bad first impression by pushing money matters too far. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Congrats to those lucky folks getting the Tufts admits!

I was expecting more push back (a la the author of that Atlantic article) on TGC! Surprised we all pretty much agree. Whoa. I did not know McAdams was the student's advisor. That's messed up... wouldn't be surprised if the guy walked him through the whole ploy. Clearly he had some axe to grind with the TA. I thought it was interesting that other professors were quoted as saying McAdam's firing will have a "chilling effect" on bringing other faculty to the university. There's an interesting case about the Holocaust-denying professor at Cal State Long Beach. He couches all the anti-semitic beliefs in "historical research" and somehow that's protected him from dismissal because then it does become a matter of academic freedom. I wonder if his extracurricular white supremacist activities would qualify him for breaking some code of ethics then. Folks in Canada were recently astir because of this white supremacist professor couching his xenophobia in academic "research" as well. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/unb-defends-prof-s-academic-freedom-in-wake-of-racism-complaint-1.2892206 Seems like it's a fine line that McAdams crossed with shitty behavior.

I would rather sort a school under "implied rejection" and then be happily taken aback at a later date. Like UCI. Just looked and historically they notify rejects early March. What the heck!

This was really awesome. Thanks for posting it! Yeah Pills definitely disappointed me... it definitely doesn't match up to the pop ballads she had on Pink Friday (thinking Right Thru Me). Will have to give it another listen, though... I really liked Only but was not pleased with the inclusion of Brown. As for another album on heavy rotation: (History of Touches, Quicksand, and Black Lake are all solid) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5ACtMLtMOg

I think some people have been arguing that he's expressing his opinions as about the "liberal" trend in stifling academic discourse, which some have qualified as a discussion of academics in general. I tend to see it your way, in regards to McAdams. But yeah, the TA should have been prepared to discuss that topic but she also should have been in the mindset to theoretically entertain opinions from any part of the spectrum, especially considering she is a student and teacher of philosophy, where "controversial opinions" are the bread and butter of class discussion. Clearly he was trying to push her buttons and she probably said something in the heat of the moment. Too bad he was being a little weasel and recording her (meaning he probably had this interaction planned out far in advance). I'll have to take a look at those links you posted. Been wanting to get a different perspective on the story from that Atlantic piece.

I saw this story floating around for the past couple of days. I thought it'd be an interesting point of discussion here. http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/02/stripping-a-professor-of-tenure-over-a-blog-post/385280/#disqus_thread Certainly a very fraught situation. I must say I disagree with the author of the article (who considers the action in the title "Marquette University's attack on academic freedom"). I also think that the TA handled the situation poorly but her mistakes certainly don't justify her supervisor's actions. I think the author conveniently forgets the radically disproportionate amount of power that tenured faculty have over their TAs and especially considering this was his "third strike" for similar actions, I support his dismissal. Any thoughts?

That's amazing! Congrats. Really hope it converts to an acceptance for you. I think it's absolutely kosher to ask about the wait list procedures for reasons lyonessrampant mentioned above.

a) The majority of UK schools do not provide full or any funding at all, thus you would have to spend a lot of time securing your own external funding, which can be both stressful and a roadblock to continuation of your program (say you weren't able to renew an external fellowship, etc. you would have to halt your enrollment unless you had savings or were willing to go into massive dent). Knowing that, it may not be wise to go to the UK for school just because you "can't wait." b.) Can you explain your rationale for pursuing both an MA and Ph.D. in order to teach high school? I'm not sure I follow. edit: that damn = b.) smiley... who thought that was a good idea?

Your response made it sound like this isn't even a situation that OP should be facing if s/he had been smart about applications. Plus, I think you've made a lot of assumptions about DramaDuck's situation when offering your advice--there was no "MIT or nothing" involved. There was no mention of being unhappy to attend the safety school or finding the acceptance "unacceptable" nor of the dream school being the "one and only goal." She or he did not actually give a reason why s/he would prefer the dream school over the safety school other than the obvious fact that they "like" it more. I'm offering reasons why that might be other than "I applied to a safety school with no intention of going there," which is what your answer suggested. I don't think the mere mention of safety schools should warrant an answer that scolds the applicant about time and effort wasted. There are tons of reasons to want to apply to a safety school.

Eep. Last year was the Great Valentine's Day Massacre, was it not? Hoping we don't repeat history this time around.

I hear this rhetoric a lot, especially when people ask "what are some good safety schools?" and it bothers me each time. I'm not quite sure I understand: "safety schools" undoubtedly exist to some degree or other and they serve their purpose. Of course, there are anecdotes about folks being rejected from safety schools and making it into their reach schools but those are outliers. Like grad_wannabe said above, not all applicants are 100% prepared, informed, or aware of the entire landscape of English doctoral programs in North America (or even abroad) at the time of application. Circumstances and opinions change. Research interests and academic trajectories change too. I don't think it's a crime to ask the question that DramaDuck did and I don't think the grave and paternal rhetoric is necessary either. Edit: to add an actual response to DramaDuck It all depends on your own timeline (life and academic). Are you in a rush to get into a doctoral program because of age? If not, then maybe consider slowing down and considering other options. If you think you have other things you can do this year to improve your profile in order to get into your dream school, it would make sense to me to take that time. There's never an "only chance" to get into a program. The second and third time applicants and the fluctuations in "tiered" acceptances on TGC alone attest to that.

Wyatt, really hoping it becomes (or is?) a funded MA. That would be a great opportunity... and I can't speak highly enough about my funded MA experience, which I just about wrapping up.

The NYU rejects are always the best. It always pretty much amounts to "I hate you poopy losers! I'm too good for you anyway!" Y'all... why did you apply to the school then?

I thought I'd post it here instead of the acceptance thread. From Mr. Bourne at UCI: Hold out hope, comrades!

Well, since we're going there: has anyone tried to contact UCI? I emailed Malcolm Bourne yesterday evening and haven't heard back yet.

Form Berkeley rejection. Huzzah!

Yeah, it's so detailed and unique. I had to do a presentation in his class on New Philology using the Norton Piers as example. Lemme tell ya, presenting an expert in the field his own work definitely gave me heart palpitations. Luckily, he's a very generous and kind audience member (and commenter).

Oh man. I wish there was way more of Serial. Now. Also, what did you think of Pinkprint? I really wanted to like it but just.... couldn't.

Hey congrats! I remember you were so worried yesterday... Must be such a nice relief.

To be honest, this sounds like standard Graduate Studies boilerplate language. I wouldn't read too much into it... not saying anything about your chances of getting accepted or not overall (and I certainly hope you do!), simply that this email probably is not meant to suggest either of those options.

No problem! The thought of "White Buddhist hip hop" makes me cringe already so I can only imagine what you have to deal with. The medievalist at my MA school edited the most recent Norton edition and he's a super brilliant genius guy. Having him teach Piers to us was a treat and a half!

Do remember that not every admit posts on or even knows about TGC. Edit: Althoughhhhhh on this day last year, they sent out a bunch of wait list notifications. So maybe we have that to look forward to this week?