Should I start a PhD in history of international relations or in political science and international relations

[Simone91]

Hi! I have to solve a huge doubt which concerns my future and I hope I'll find some good advice here. 

I have to choose between two PhD projects and both deal with a very similar subject and also the one in political science would rely on a strong historical background and on the use of archival sources, but probably in a less meticulous way. Also I consider myself mainly a historian, because even if I have a B.A. in international relations, I completed my M.A. in history writing a thesis on the same subject of the PhD. On the other hand the PhD in political science would give me a better opportunity to research the consequences of the historical process today, also there is already a professor who is most likely willing to support the project.

My main concerns are:

Is it possible to combine a deeper historical analysis (at the same level of a PhD in history) in a political science project?

What different chances of employment do I have after the PhD, considering that I would prefer to work for the government or private institutions and not as a professor?

Edited November 22, 2018 by Simone91

[Sigaba]

On 11/21/2018 at 3:59 PM, Simone91 said:

Is it possible to combine a deeper historical analysis (at the same level of a PhD in history) in a political science project?

Probably not. If you want a doctorate in politics, your dissertation committee will want you to demonstrate that you can create knowledge in political science. You may be able to arrange for a historian to sit on your committee but she will likely defer to what your committee chair recommends.

On 11/21/2018 at 3:59 PM, Simone91 said:

What different chances of employment do I have after the PhD, considering that I would prefer to work for the government or private institutions and not as a professor?

I recommend that you look at the listings for jobs where you would want to work as well as at the background of established professionals. I think you will see a pattern rather quickly.

[high_hopes]

On 11/21/2018 at 6:59 PM, Simone91 said:

What different chances of employment do I have after the PhD, considering that I would prefer to work for the government or private institutions and not as a professor?

Hi Simone, for your second question. I'm not sure which country you are in, but in most countries PhDs are not required to get good jobs with the government or private institutions. If you are not interested in working as a professor, then perhaps a PhD isn't necessary and might end up just causing more stress, time, and money than necessary.

[AP]

The epistemologies and methodologies of both degrees are very different. While you can rely on historical data for your PoliSci project, that doesn't make it a history project, and vice versa. Although you'd be versed in your field –beyond the discipline– to assess and comment on historical and current matters (like I do with issues of Latin America), that does not mean that the PhD will  equip you in both disciplines. I second @Sigaba's response that no, you cannot combine a historical PhD-level analysis in a PoliSci dissertation. 

From what you said, it looks you are approaching this from a student's perspective. This is fine, except it is not helpful for the decision you are trying to make. Instead, think about the job that you want and the degree that you need for that. What skills do you need to develop (further)? Do you need any other skills? If you don't need a PhD, then don't get one. If you think a PhD will benefit you for applying for the type of jobs you want, then do it. Make the decision based on your professional aims (that is, not thinking as a student but thinking like a job candidate) and you'll notice that the question stops being about the the dissertation project and turns out to be about what you want to do in the next six years or so. 

[Simone91]

Thank you for the answers, they've all been very helpful. I am considering to start a PhD mainly because it would give me the opportunity to research a topic I really like and with which I already dealt when I wrote my M.A. thesis. Also I have the chance to become an expert in a very specific field, which I believe it could be an advantage after the PhD. Furthermore other people told me that in a long term career perspective a PhD is a plus, even if I realize that in the short-medium term people who start to work after the m.a. have indeed more work experience. I would do it in Germany and that means the program would last 3-4 years.

Edited November 28, 2018 by Simone91

[high_hopes]

On 11/28/2018 at 3:30 AM, Simone91 said:

Thank you for the answers, they've all been very helpful. I am considering to start a PhD mainly because it would give me the opportunity to research a topic I really like and with which I already dealt when I wrote my M.A. thesis. Also I have the chance to become an expert in a very specific field, which I believe it could be an advantage after the PhD. Furthermore other people told me that in a long term career perspective a PhD is a plus, even if I realize that in the short-medium term people who start to work after the m.a. have indeed more work experience. I would do it in Germany and that means the program would last 3-4 years.

If you are in Germany then I want to qualify my response. I have heard in a few different contexts that in Germany in particular PhDs are often needed for certain public sector jobs. This is much less common in Canada and the USA.