Latin American History programs? - Southern Cone

[CageFree]

Hi all

I am trying to find some programs in Latin American History and was hoping to get some feedback about the following schools/programs that I'm looking into, if you know anything. If you haven't read my other thread, I'm coming in from Ancient/Late Antiquity.

Some stats:

BA UCLA, 3.7 upper division/major - graduated in 2000. Overall was 3.1 because of a failed calculus class as an engineering major. Wrote an honors thesis in L.A. and was an undergrad research assistant for my thesis advisor (who is writing me a letter I believe will be very strong). Have a teaching credential, had a 3.7 GPA in that. Been teaching for 8 years. I'm 34. Have not taken the GRE yet but I have a very good track record with standardized testing - I should do well.

Native-level fluency in Argentinian Spanish - I lived there for 11 years (moved as a child, came back as a teen). My interest is in modern Argentina so I really would prefer to work with an Argentinist.

I have a very good reason, I think, for switching fields, and I know exactly what I want to work on. Obviously, my writing and letters will weigh very heavily.

I originally planned to do a M.A. part-time but I can't find people anywhere near my field in any school around here that offers one, so I guess I will be quitting my job no matter what.

Now, as far as programs:

UC Riverside - in the other thread someone was very encouraging about it. There is someone there in my field, and same period of interest. Downside? He has two other students right now in Argentina, including one that got in this year. Did encourage me to apply.

UC San Diego

UC Irvine (I would probably stick with the MA part-time if I went there)

UConn

Ohio State

Any other suggestions, if I'm reaching too high (and I probably am)?

Edited July 28, 2011 by Teacher4MA

[borderlands]

I'm guessing that you are considering programs outside of Southern California? If so, then there a couple of other programs to consider:

Vanderbilt University as a whole has a very strong Latin American history program, although, I'm not sure if they have a specialist in Argentina.

Columbia University has Jose Moya who specializes in Argentine history.

U of Connecticut will have Mark A. Healey who previously taught at UC Berkeley and recently wrote The Ruins of the New Argentina.

There are, of course, other programs with strong Latin American history programs but few with Argentine specialist. UC Davis is also another option Charles Walker might be a person of interest.

One serious concern, though, is the writing sample: whether you will be submitting something new or your previous thesis which focuses on a different field. It is not uncommon to have graduate students switching topics or even fields. Strong Ph.D. applicants tend to have previous experience in courses, writing in their area of interest and a strong writing sample.

I would try to get in contact with professor's you are interested in working with and let them know your situation of switching areas. Your gpa seems to be of slight concern also, but you should still apply to PhD history programs along with MA programs. Some programs particularly like applicants with teaching experience.

[CageFree]

Thank you. That's one real source of concern for me as well... lack of coursework in the field. It doesn't mean lack of knowledge, however. As far as my writing sample, I am not sure it's so realistic to write a small thesis on a topic of interest. The professors I have spoken to said it should not worry me because it is common. I have very definite ideas of where I want to go with the topic, as I have a personal connection to it, and for my secondary field, I will do US History/Political Science, directly relating to foreign policy to Latin America. Again, not so much coursework, but I have taught post-civil war U.S. history AND government at the secondary level for the past 5 years.

I am trying to figure out whether/how I can incorporate these thoughts into my statement of purpose.

[StrangeLight]

i'd also consider adding the university of pittsburgh to your list. george reid andrews works on argentina (and brazil, and uruguay). primarily 20th century and primarily the social and political history of afro-descendants, but he's well equipped to advise any project on modern argentina. he's a great scholar, very well connected, and a lovely human being too. the program also just hired a bolivianist, laura gotkowitz, who is well-versed in the 20th century southern cone historiography. there's my plug.

jose moya seems to move around a bit. i recall seeing him listed on more than one top-ranked university's faculty list, so i'd doublecheck to find out where he's actually in residence.

florencia mallon at wisconsin-madison works on chile, but she'd probably be able to advise you. while i think having someone close to your regional focus is pretty important (i.e. southern cone), i think trying to find an exact country match can be difficult. even if there are great argentinists, they're not all teaching at schools that offer PhDs. you already have 6 schools on your list, and OSU and pitt are good additions, but consider casting a wider net. contact chileanists or brazilianists and ask them if they would be willing to advise your project on argentina. some will say no, flat out, and some will say yes, absolutely.

also, follow the books you love. figure out who wrote your favourite books on argentina and see if they're at schools with good grad programs.

Edited August 2, 2011 by StrangeLight

[CageFree]

Thank you so much!

I have a question about Pitt - I checked out their website and it seems like the admissions to MA and PhD are separate, but both are funded. Did I read that correctly? If so, would I be applying to the M.A. program or the PhD program?

Edited August 2, 2011 by Teacher4PhD

[StrangeLight]

yes, you apply to the MA program if you don't currently hold an MA, and yes, it is fully funded. they will admit you to the MA, but they'll admit you with 5 years of funding and will (likely, but not definitely) keep you on for a 3 year PhD once you finish the 2 year MA.

[CageFree]

Okay. It seems U Washington does the same thing.

[Encomendero]

I am currently working in the Latin American field at Ohio State. While I am colonial, Donna Guy has been a superb resource. Her knowledge of political and labor issues in Argentina is great. I have tailored my generals reading list for my modern exam on Southern Cone materials. I highly encourage you to look into OSU.

[modern]

José Moya is at Columbia but he is part of Barnard College and I heard (from a pretty good source) that he is not taking students to supervise. You should check with him directly IMO. They have a woman working on modern Chile though and she seems pretty cool.

As for places to study Argentina: I'd definitely add Indiana (Daniel James) and Princeton (Jeremy Adelman).

But remember, as Strangelight mentioned, that the geographical field -in terms of nation- is not necessarily the most important fit. Your work could be interesting, for instance, historians of labor in Latin America, Cold War in Latin America, etc, and they could certainly help you with your research in many ways. And if what you propose in your statement of purpose is interesting, you show promise in your other material (and you are a little bit lucky; let's face it, that plays a part) it could as well be interesting for any historian of Latin America.