Continental philosophy department VS. interdisciplinary department

[Badieuze]

I'm currently considering the direction of my future studies. Basically I have a rather broad interest in pluralist themes of philosophy. One of my primary interests is literature but I'm not satisfied with the traditional methods of literary criticism, not even interested. I'd rather see literature in a more philosophical view, similar to Derrida’s Acts of Literature, Deleuze’s Critique and Clinic, Blanchot’s The Space of Literature, or Badiou’s Handbook of Inaesthetics, etc. In the end, literature is only used instrumentally for the purposes of philosophical thought. My interest in critical theory is basically of the same reason. I got a desire to explore a bit in these fields like media studies, contemporary feminism, technopolitics... Anyway I have not yet determined a single and defined direction for my future research. What I've determined so far with certainty is that the problems I am drawn to are all philosophical in nature, even if they are not always approached through the traditional methods of philosophical exegesis.

Given this state of indecision and that I may ultimately move into fields such as philosophical criticism of literature or critical theory, would it be better to enhance a solid foundation in the history of philosophy and hermeneutics (which I know I lack) in philosophy departments first, or to enter an interdisciplinary program directly?

I'm not from an Anglo-American or European countries, so considering the requirements of future academic career, I think I may need to pursue a master’s program abroad as a springboard to some decent phd programs. I do not mind starting with a taught MA program first.

Many thanks to any useful advice and information.

 

 

 

[fleelaw]

I'm also interested in this subject as a former philosophy student principally interested in critical theory and hermeneutics. It seems that at a lot of institutions with analytic philosophy departments, these subjects live in a program like Comparative Literature (or related unique programs like Comparative/Modern Thought, History of Consciousness, Berkeley Rhetoric, etc). Although I am wary that many of these programs' list of dissertations seem to be focused just on analysis of media, rather than a philosophical topic on its own.

Some of the UCs also have critical theory designated emphases that are interdisciplinary.

[adelinehalpern]

On 10/27/2025 at 3:24 PM, Badieuze said:

I'm currently considering the direction of my future studies. Basically I have a rather broad interest in pluralist themes of philosophy. One of my primary interests is literature but I'm not satisfied with the traditional methods of literary criticism, not even interested. I'd rather see literature in a more philosophical view, similar to Derrida’s Acts of Literature, Deleuze’s Critique and Clinic, Blanchot’s The Space of Literature, or Badiou’s Handbook of Inaesthetics, etc. In the end, literature is only used instrumentally for the purposes of philosophical thought. My interest in critical theory is basically of the same reason. I got a desire to explore a bit in these fields like media studies, contemporary feminism, technopolitics... Anyway I have not yet determined a single and defined direction for my future research. What I've determined so far with certainty is that the problems I am drawn to are all philosophical in nature, even if they are not always approached through the traditional methods of philosophical exegesis. geometry dash 

Given this state of indecision and that I may ultimately move into fields such as philosophical criticism of literature or critical theory, would it be better to enhance a solid foundation in the history of philosophy and hermeneutics (which I know I lack) in philosophy departments first, or to enter an interdisciplinary program directly?

I'm not from an Anglo-American or European countries, so considering the requirements of future academic career, I think I may need to pursue a master’s program abroad as a springboard to some decent phd programs. I do not mind starting with a taught MA program first.

Many thanks to any useful advice and information.

 

 

 

@ geometry dash: It’s usually better to start with a philosophy MA first, focusing on the history of philosophy and hermeneutics, rather than going straight into an interdisciplinary program. This gives you the solid theoretical foundation needed to properly engage with thinkers like Derrida, Deleuze, Blanchot, and Badiou, and makes it easier to move into interdisciplinary or critical theory work later at PhD level. Interdisciplinary programs are best after you’ve built that core philosophical grounding.

Edited May 6 by adelinehalpern