Schools with English departments strong in postcolonial lit?

[darjeelingtea16]

I've applied to 5 schools this year (my first crack at applying for PhD programs and I probably aimed way too high), and I don't think I got into any of them. I know this partly from actual rejection letters and partly from being realistic. But I'm going to try and remain optimistic about applying next year. I plan on expanding my school choices, and applying to about 10 programs instead. I am still applying to WashU and Cornell, but I'm tweaking my focus a bit. I originally applied to schools with solid medieval programs (my MA is in medieval literature), but realized that my intended research involves postcolonial responses to medieval literature, instead of med lit proper, if that makes any sense.

I know I have to go do the research myself in terms of specific people I want to work with, etc, but I was wondering if anyone could help me start by suggesting what schools have English departments that are strong in postcolonial literature (particularly caribbean and/or southeast asian)? I'm familiar with schools strong in medieval literature, but am so woefully ignorant as to which schools are strong in postcolonial lit. Any help would be very, very appreciated. Thanks ahead of time!

[truckbasket]

Did you apply to UC Irvine? Very strong department for theory and it sounds like R. Radhakrishnan would be good for you: http://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=5259

[ZeeMore21]

I have heard that Emory has a very strong focus in post-colonial lit. Other than that, I am not quite sure. I hope this helps a little!

[ZeeMore21]

Also, I know that Spivak is at Columbia! Great school.

[darjeelingtea16]

truckbasket, I didn't apply to UC-Irvine this time (mostly applied to schools in NYC), so I'll definitely look into that. R. Radhakrishnan looks like a possible supervisor. This is actually a problem I've been having -- finding someone who could supervise me. Of course, I was focusing mostly on medievalists so that might have something to do with it :/ Thanks for the suggestion!

ZeeMore21, I'll look into Emory as well. Thanks! I applied to Columbia, because of Spivak and a number of other cool people, but unfortunately I was just rejected today (urg). I might look at it again for next year, but I'm not sure yet.

[ZeeMore21]

truckbasket, I didn't apply to UC-Irvine this time (mostly applied to schools in NYC), so I'll definitely look into that. R. Radhakrishnan looks like a possible supervisor. This is actually a problem I've been having -- finding someone who could supervise me. Of course, I was focusing mostly on medievalists so that might have something to do with it :/ Thanks for the suggestion!

ZeeMore21, I'll look into Emory as well. Thanks! I applied to Columbia, because of Spivak and a number of other cool people, but unfortunately I was just rejected today (urg). I might look at it again for next year, but I'm not sure yet.

No problem! I would definitely apply to Columbia, you never know what may happen! You also might want to look at Berkeley, outstanding school.

[truckbasket]

Also, I know that Spivak is at Columbia! Great school.

Do people like Spivak and Bhabha actually take on students? I'm probably wrong, but it seems like the superstar theorists in the field would be difficult to pin down; I know Spivak is always out on the road, peddling her wares. What about Jeffrey Cohen at GWU -- doesn't he do early modern and post-colonial?

Although I don't do post-colonial, I had a few chats with Radhakrishnan. I know he's a big name in that field too, but he's very down to earth and super friendly. Might be worth striking up an email conversation with him.

[tumtumtrees]

Do people like Spivak and Bhabha actually take on students? I'm probably wrong, but it seems like the superstar theorists in the field would be difficult to pin down; I know Spivak is always out on the road, peddling her wares. What about Jeffrey Cohen at GWU -- doesn't he do early modern and post-colonial?

Although I don't do post-colonial, I had a few chats with Radhakrishnan. I know he's a big name in that field too, but he's very down to earth and super friendly. Might be worth striking up an email conversation with him.

I'm pretty sure Spivak doesn't take students. I doubt Bhabha does either. It's a bit unnerving, the thought (and number) of applicants who apply to programs without knowledge of this.

[tumtumtrees]

There are postcolonialists at nearly every English department. Also, Caribbean and Southeast Asian postcolonial literature is rather broad, so it would be better to specify your research before looking for a faculty member with whom to work. As you probably know, Cornell has Davies, who is prime for cross-cultural Caribbean studies. Also, the postcolonial superstars at top-tier programs do not take on students, so you can ask around for who is available.

Edited March 10, 2011 by tumtumtrees

[lolopixie]

Howard, Purdue, univ of Florida, univ of Miami, lsu...

[tortola23]

I applied to 11 schools this year, and I plan to study postcolonial lit. A lot of the schools that have been mentioned on this thread are extremely competitive, to the point that it's unlikely you would be admitted (or that anyone would when there are 400+ applicants for ~10 spots). There's no reason not to apply to a few very difficult places--I certainly did--but there's also no reason to apply to only the "best" postcolonial programs. Like tumtumtrees said, there are postcolonialists at most departments. What I would recommend is really doing your research: find out which schools have a couple or more professors who are in your field, who approach postcolonial theory and lit somewhat like you hope to, and that have excellent resources at their disposal. Contact your POIs if at all possible to find out more about their work and about what they look for in prospective students.

I think that my mistake last year was just choosing schools that I really liked the idea of and then cranking out kind of generic SOPs for them. I'm having a much more successful year right now because of the effort I made to find a different set of better-fitting programs. It takes a crap-ton more time and effort and, can't stress this enough, RESEARCH to find programs that are an excellent fit for you and to present yourself successfully to them. Just try not to write a school off because it isn't "prestigious" or because it doesn't have any celebrity-level profs. A whole lot of people launch amazing careers from PhD programs that don't get tons of hype!

Edited March 10, 2011 by tortola23

[ZeeMore21]

You might also want to look at the University of Pittsburgh. I know for sure that there are 3 professors who do post-colonial literature. One of them-Shalini Puri- specializes in the Caribbean very smart lady: http://www.englishli...culty/puri.html

Edited March 10, 2011 by ZeeMore21

[fall-11]

NYU might be another place to check out...

[truckbasket]

I'm pretty sure Spivak doesn't take students. I doubt Bhabha does either. It's a bit unnerving, the thought (and number) of applicants who apply to programs without knowledge of this.

Part of the learning curve though, right? I dropped Butler's name on my Columbia app thinking I'd be all ninja-style as her move hadn't been officially announced yet, but I realize now that it wasn't such a smart decision after all. Furthermore, I did my undergrad at a consortium that had several "celebrities" teaching (not necessarily theorists) and the general consensus was that the teaching skills of these people didn't live up to their recognition. Case in point: I signed up for a class with Mort Sahl (!!!) and canned it after just two sessions.

In short, it seems that the OP's research interests go a little against the grain, so seeking out very specific and well-published (not necessarily well-known) practitioners would be the best move. I do a weird Art History / Literature combo thing so I have to be cognizant of that as well, even when the superstar aura tries to seduce me.

[darjeelingtea16]

tumtumtrees, I kind of knew that Spivak and Bhaba don't take on students, but I thought it might be good to be in the same department as them, so that maybe I'd have better access to them. I dunno. And you're definitely right, that there are postcolonialists in every department. I have some very specific research in mind (got my so-far untranslated texts all lined up, potential ways of looking at them, etc) that I hope to find a supervisor for somewhere. *crosses fingers

lolopixie, thanks for the suggestions!

tortola23, that's certainly good advice! I think I made the same mistake you made last year, this time around. I picked schools that I liked and didn't do nearly as much research as I should have about potential fit, as I was kind of unsure about where my proposed research could go. This next time around, I'll have some more time to prepare, and more time to get in contact with people, and really, really do some research about programs. And I'm totally down with going to not-as-"prestigious" schools. As long as I get to do a funded PhD with someone who could supervise my work, I will be happy.

ZeeMore21, thanks for this suggestion too! I originally looked at Pittsburgh, and I can't remember why I ultimately decided not to apply...hmm...well, I'll definitely look into it again!

fall-11, NYU was another school I applied to this time, but which I haven't heard from. I'm assuming that means a rejection at this point, but I might try to apply again next year

[darjeelingtea16]

Do people like Spivak and Bhabha actually take on students? I'm probably wrong, but it seems like the superstar theorists in the field would be difficult to pin down; I know Spivak is always out on the road, peddling her wares. What about Jeffrey Cohen at GWU -- doesn't he do early modern and post-colonial?

Although I don't do post-colonial, I had a few chats with Radhakrishnan. I know he's a big name in that field too, but he's very down to earth and super friendly. Might be worth striking up an email conversation with him.

I had considered Cohen, but I think maybe his work doesn't quite fit my intended research. That's good to know about Radhakrishnan! I always get nervous contacting people so it's nice to hear he's down to earth. I'm gonna see if I can read a few of his publications before I start an email conversation with him.

[Lord Horatio]

Anyone have anything to add regarding UVA and Duke? I'm interested in applying to their programs and my interest areas are literary modernism and postcolonial studies / theory. Coming from NYU (BA) via UCF (MA).

[poco_puffs]

As an aside, I know someone who is applying postcolonial theory to medieval lit. It's legit.

[Historiogaffe]

As another aside, OP: have you checked out Indiana-Bloomington? They've got Patricia Ingham, who's written Sovereign Fantasies—which does poco on a slew of post-Conquest insular writing. What I read of it (I was writing about Geoffrey of Monmouth) was just great. Although it's of its time, having been written around... 2000, I think?, it looks from the website like Ingham's still interested in that approach. Bloomington also has Karma Lochrie, who's more into gender/sexuality and medieval studies, is, I think, something of a celebrity medievalist (I don't do much gender/sexuality), but also does stuff on medieval travel literature and cartography.

[darjeelingtea16]

As an aside, I know someone who is applying postcolonial theory to medieval lit. It's legit.

There's some really amazing work out there that applies poco to med lit. I want to get in on it!

As another aside, OP: have you checked out Indiana-Bloomington? They've got Patricia Ingham, who's written Sovereign Fantasies—which does poco on a slew of post-Conquest insular writing. What I read of it (I was writing about Geoffrey of Monmouth) was just great. Although it's of its time, having been written around... 2000, I think?, it looks from the website like Ingham's still interested in that approach. Bloomington also has Karma Lochrie, who's more into gender/sexuality and medieval studies, is, I think, something of a celebrity medievalist (I don't do much gender/sexuality), but also does stuff on medieval travel literature and cartography.

I haven't checked out Indiana yet. Karma Lochrie has some pretty interesting work (and, as an aside, I think the last staff photo I saw of her was of her on a riding lawnmower and wearing sunglasses lol), and I haven't read any of Ingham's work. I'll have to look into it. I'm definitely interested in medieval literature in translation (particularly in SE Asia), but I'm also hoping to connect it to more contemporary literature in translation. That might not make very much sense, but it will eventually. Maybe. Hopefully. Anywho, thanks for the suggestion!