More "Traditional" English PhD Programs

[xfgdfrmgpo332]

Hey everyone, I've been a member/lurker for a little while, but this is my first post. I'd greatly appreciate any comments, advice, suggestions, andecdotes, etc, on my situation.

I'm going into my senior year at a well regarded state school (UNC) and, like most people here have done or want to do, looking to apply to English Phd programs this Fall. The thing is, I take a more "traditional" approach to literary study - i.e., I am not really interested in postmodern "Theory," deconstruction, gender studies, disability studies, what have you. However, I think I will be a fairly strong candidate and want to apply to top 15 (maybe top 20) programs (I can give GPA stats etc. if anyone's interested or curious). Basically, I don't want to get into a top grad school (if I am lucky enough), then go and be miserable learning French theory in every class instead of actually reading literature. I don't really have anything against Theory, it's just not what I'm interested in, and I am somewhat worried because almost every poster here that I have seen (just casually reading posts) seems to have literary theory as either a primary or secondary focus. This is also what I find when I look at the English department websites of top universities. Thus, I cannot help but wonder if I am a hopeless cause. I am not opposed at all to taking classes on theory/theorists, and even incorporating some into my work (I have an open mind - who knows, I may discover some aspect of theory that greatly interests me), and I realize it is important to be up on the latest scholarly conversations and trends for one's field. However, I don't want it to be the central focus of my work/study, and I don't want to be forced to apply this or that mode of theory by a professor (I am not assuming many places or even any places do this...I simply have no idea).

So I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions, either general (statement of purpose stuff etc.) or specific (programs/depts/teachers that are not as theory-centered). I of course realize that it is my own responsibility to research departments and individual professors to look for people whose approaches are congenial to mine - I have already done this some and will be doing much more in the coming months. But if anyone (whether you're heavy into theory or not!) has any suggestions or comments, they would be welcome.

I am mainly struggling with a tension that I'm sure many of you feel - between finding the perfect fit, and getting into the best program you possibly can. I often find that the people I would really be interested in working with are not at a top program. Normally this would be fine, but with all the horror stories I hear/read about newly minted PhDs being unable to find positions (I'm sure you've read the Chronicle articles etc. as well), I want to go to a strong (top 15) program to give myself the best chance on the job market.

Well, I have written so much! Sorry. BTW, my field of interest is 19th and 20th c. British and American poetry - especially Romantic (1790-1830ish) and Modernist (1910-1950ish). My main interest is actually the link between these two periods, and the influence of the former upon the latter. Thanks!

Edited July 12, 2011 by joega1111

[the giaour]

You might have a look at the University of Virginia. Definitely a more traditional program--much less theory-focused than many other top schools--though of course you can still find people here who enjoy teaching and studying the areas you mention. I've been a grad student here for two years and can attest to the abundance of courses every semester that are NOT theory-based. When we've done theory readings in a course usually it was something I expected from the course title or description (for example: Medieval/Renaisance Theater and Theory).

Additionally, I think UVa would be a good fit for you according to your areas of interest. It's a very, very strong 19th- and 20th-century department with fantastic poetry people here, too. Best of luck to you!

[Phil Sparrow]

You sound a lot like I did when I was applying! I don't have the time to respond thoroughly here now, but I'd definitely second UVa for your interests. It's similar in department philosophy and general approach to Carolina's program, so you'd pr

[Phil Sparrow]

You sound a lot like I did when I was applying! I don't have the time to respond thoroughly here now, but I'd definitely second UVa for your interests. It's similar in department philosophy and general approach to Carolina's program, so you'd probsbly feel pretty well at home. I'd caution against anywhere that feels *too* comfortable--but I need to run, so there will have to be more on that later! UVa's definitely somewhere to look, though.

[caedmon39]

There are a few departments that are “theory heavy” or “known for theory” (often more in the past than in the present): e.g., Duke, Pitt, SUNY Buffalo, Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, etc., but not as many as one would think. Nevertheless, those would not be departments you would want to apply to. It is more the case that you want a program big enough /good enough that it will support both traditional literary scholarship and more theory-oriented work, and thus allow a student to find his/her own way. UVa is a good example—one could go there and obtain and excellent traditional PhD in English literature, or go there and do something more theory heavy, or a bit of both. And that is because it is a big department stocked with excellent faculty. On this basis, one can recommend many more programs like this: Harvard, Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, UCLA, U of Toronto, etc.; if you look at good public universities, almost all the good ones fit the same description: Indiana, Chapel Hill, Urbana, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida State, Penn State, etc. You won’t be able to “avoid theory” completely anywhere (nor do you really want to be that isolated intellectually), but at any of the above schools I would imagine that with the right planning and advising you would be able to do the kind of degree you want. As far as schools that are perhaps known particularly for their rigor in traditional English literature, I would add Notre Dame, Boston University, U of Chicago, U of Dallas, U of North Texas, Catholic University of America, etc. Also lots of programs in the UK and Canada. Good luck!

[xfgdfrmgpo332]

Thanks for the responses guys! I will definitely look into UVA - it sure would be nice to go somewhere where sweet tea still exists. I've also found some people at Yale that I think I could really work with.

[Alephantiasis]

You won’t be able to “avoid theory” completely anywhere

While it might be true about American schools, it is not the case in Europe. If you're really allergic to theory (or if you want to expand your horizons), you might want to do your MA in Europe and your PhD in the US, or vice versa.