New user - questions about departments

[crumpledpaper]

I've been looking at prospective doctoral programs for about two years (and unsuccessfully applied to one).

At the end of this summer, I will have a master's in political science from a complete no-name. It wasn't really a good idea, but it was better than taking thetime off after my undergraduate studies knowing full well I wouldn't be any more prepared after a break to decide where to go. Given my current struggle in finding a program, I clearly made the correct choice. My degree has, however, resulted in three conference presentations in three different fields and built a love for the way IR researchers think.

I have narrowed my focus to interactions of different political and social entities and policy levels in the cause and resolution of genocide. Not the most popular bit of study in IR. I could forego the whole thing and apply at the 3-5 genocide studies programs, but I'd really like to get a job someday. I think having a broader degree and a specialization might be the better bet on this than hoping for a genocide post.

I have gotten reasonably good at knowing whether a department has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for me, but it's very difficult to know where to look. I've scanned the rankings list, and I have an idea of where I'd *like* to apply. But I'd like to get some input on whether I am well-aimed. I've been moderately interested in UPitt, LSU, UBC, Rochester (I had this crazy idea once...), Illinois U-C, and U Washington. I would love to go to WashU , but there's really no one there who would be at all interested in me. My advisor recommended UGA, I think.

I'm aware that I have to "settle" for faculty involved in conflict, peace, and/or human rights, and I'm comfortable with that. I know better than to bet my career on finding someone who'd be a perfect match.

So, since I've been reading here for a while and you all seem to have your heads on straight and are clearly much better aware of what is out there, I thought I'd post the query.

Thanks for reading. Be civil.

[Penelope Higgins]

Have you thought about Rutgers? Midlarsky has written a book on genocide, and Jack Levy is a really interesting guy in IR. Reading your description of your interests, it is the first program that came to my mind...

The terminal MA will help you if a) you did well, and someone there can write you strong letters - even if they are not a big name, likely they are graduates of, or colleagues of, the faculty in programs to which you are applying - and that can make a big difference.

In terms of finding programs, my advice is always to look at departments where the people whose books or articles you like are teaching. I'm sure, though, that that is one of the methods you used to come up with the list you already have, so that may not be too much help.

Here is my main thought, though: issues of ethnic conflict (which are not that far removed from genocide in terms of the kinds of research questions one might ask) are HUGE in comparative these days. So I would look at comparative groups in some of the departments you are considering to see who pops up. My hunch is that unless you are writing about international actors and genocide, much of the work you will be interacting with will be about the domestic politics of genocide. But take this with a grain of salt, since I am a comparativist...

I hope this relatively uninformed scrawling helps...

[crumpledpaper]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look. Midlarsky sounds familiar... Ah, yeah, Killing Trap. That's on the list. I should fast-track that one.

Actually, I'm unfortunately promiscuous with my source material. Well. Not unfortunate for me; it's really given me amazing insights. But, it doesn't help me find people to work with. Most of the people I've really loved are in history or social psychology. I am certainly not. I tried reading through my genocide conference schedule, but I didn't find much. I met a professor there I really want to work with, and who said he'd love to work with me, but he's an assistant at a satellite at UBC and he can't sponsor me. Ethnic conflict is huge, even in IR, which is where I'm finding most of my contacts. I will need to work with comparative, and it will be very helpful to know people in that. I think what I'm really looking at is somewhere in between, because I am so interested in the international aspects of it, particularly with the legal aspects (which I'm so unprepared to study). But, as it is so (dare i say intimate) an interaction, relatively, one cannot work without sufficient inclusion of internal policy.

I've done well enough at my program. I'm a clinical underachiever, but my papers reflect good scholarship, even if they need to be tightened. My advisor did his MA at Rutgers, so that might be a good shot. I'm going to retake the GRE because I didn't need much for the MA and so I didn't prepare at all. Question. When you turn in writing samples, do they generally want graded samples, or can I re-edit them and continue to work on them? I'm sure that's the stupidest question ever.

And you've been very helpful, if simply by reminding me that I'm not completely out of my mind. I do forget. Thanks.

[Peter]

Crumpledpaper--

I just happened to check this forum again (I was a semi-frequent visitor during the last application cycle) and I thought I'd chime in. I also went to a no-name MA program and also have a bizarre topic. I found it worked out fine. I'd recommend starting up some email conversations with profs that you think might work well with you come October (it's too early now, they'll forget you come application cycle) and I'd attach your CV to the emails discretely if you think it will help.

While I know your topic has a strong element of application, I'd downplay this in your actual, well, for lack of a better word, application. Meaning, don't let your topic sound like it should belong in the realm of public policy. As I think you know, such topics are considered "lower" than the science of politics. I'd also be clear about what you want to study in your SOP and how you've framed your research question. It still seems vague to me (though I know you had no intention of being specific on a cite like this). If you find your topic has no people currently studying it, then part of your SOP will be convincing readers that your topic really, really, actually, really belongs in the field of POLS. This can be tricky.

You mentioned wanting to go to WashU. Who were you wanting to work with? Lee Epstein might be a good fit for you. There are a couple people there that study humanitarian issues, but they're more quantitative-oriented as I remember, so you should be prepared for that going in. Make sure there is a fit at all the dept's you apply to. If there's not, you're probably wasting your time and application fee.

Your writing sample, to answer your question, can be anything you've written. Feel free to revise and edit (I did a bit).

Ah, and make sure you check with depts about whether or not they'll transfer your MA credits. You don't want to be studying until you die, you know?

Good luck! I don't check this cite often, but feel free to send a message if you have questions.

[rising_star]

My former advisor at UGA actually wrote her dissertation on Truth and Reconciliation Committees, though not in political science. She did her PhD at Berkeley in the geography dept and, since you're already "promiscuous with your material", I suggest you look beyond the confines of the political science department. Just look at the programs of the folks whose work you're citing and respect. You'll be able to go back to polisci, especially with a master's in the field.

[crumpledpaper]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I think my biggest concern with doing that is that I'm just beginning to be comfortable with polisci rigor. I don't learn convention well, and I'd hate to start all over again.

I have, however, considered looking at psychology departments. Hopefully this summer will be long enough to decide.

[polisciphd]

If you have any specific questions about UIUC, which was on your list, feel free to ask. I am heading there in the fall. I am doing going to be doing ethnic conflict at Illinois, among other things, so I should be able to help. I can say that I am really excited to be going there.

[luvalicious]

I'm not in Polisci (History), but I wanted to chime in anyway because I was in a similar position. I started my MA at a pretty much no-name state university, and both my undergrad thesis and my proposed MA thesis were on kind of untraditional topics (in fact, my BA was on genocide in Asia), but I found that it didn't hurt me because I was able to show how my topic connected to more traditional topics, and then find people who were willing to flex a bit with me. Along with pitching your interests as not being completely disconnected from the "hot topics," you may also want to look for the program that are a bit interdisciplinary, so that you can take courses outside of your primary field that will enhance what you want to do, as opposed to switching fields, if that makes you uncomfortable. Also, ask your contact at UBC if he can recommend any programs to you.

I hope that made sense. Just a thought.

[lalalacereza]

I did my honours year (like a pre-PhD year in Australian unis) in genocide studies, and almost went into a PhD in a similar field to what you're describing. Think about criminology departments. A friend of mine did a good bit of her doctoral research in criminology/genocide studies at Berkeley. Also check out Purdue, I believe that their PoliSci dept does lots around conflict, peace etc. Someone I know is doing his PhD in peacebuilding there.