[Offer Comparison] Why are Boston College's PoliSci programs so notorious?

[PvZ 2]

I am recently comparing among several PoliSci offers, one of them is BC's MA in Poli Sci (Political Theory). I am shocked to find that, on poliscijobrumors.com, a huge amount of people speak extremely lowly of it. Someone says it is bad simply because its faculty members are Straussians. And someone just warns that "Do not go there if you want an academic job."

Although I know that the department ranks low, but I am considering it because the program is small, because the campus locates near Harvard (I may take advantage to audit some classes there, I suppose.), and because, insofar as I know, I don't think its PT faculties are so notorious.

So what I want to ask is: Considering its quality (not price), is this program in PT so bad? Is it really so unpromising to study PT with "Straussians?" (I am a foreigner and don't quite know the academic atmosphere in the US...) And, do the above assumptuous advantages really exist?

I would appreciate any response, positive or negative, to my post. Thanks!

[electrochoc]

I am recently comparing among several PoliSci offers, one of them is BC's MA in Poli Sci (Political Theory). I am shocked to find that, on poliscijobrumors.com, a huge amount of people speak extremely lowly of it. Someone says it is bad simply because its faculty members are Straussians. And someone just warns that "Do not go there if you want an academic job."

Although I know that the department ranks low, but I am considering it because the program is small, because the campus locates near Harvard (I may take advantage to audit some classes there, I suppose.), and because, insofar as I know, I don't think its PT faculties are so notorious.

So what I want to ask is: Considering its quality (not price), is this program in PT so bad? Is it really so unpromising to study PT with "Straussians?" (I am a foreigner and don't quite know the academic atmosphere in the US...) And, do the above assumptuous advantages really exist?

I would appreciate any response, positive or negative, to my post. Thanks!

So, I speak not of experience, but based on what my friends in PT say. Straussians can be well connected and get you good jobs, but they tend to only accept certain interpretations and be very critical of other positions (metaphysics etc). However, even in a dept full of Straussians, you can still find non-Straussians that can help you through.

In PT, just like in other fields or maybe even more, your supervisor really does matter. Their reference letter and name can really open doors, so I'd make that decision considering your POIs in Boston first. Maybe somebody else can help out further

[PvZ 2]

Thank you for your suggestion! It is quite interesting that all BC's PT faculties are Straussians. lol

Anyone else could help me?

[shibalover]

I'm an IR guy, so I can't really talk much about PT. However, from what I have known BC actually has a very good job placement record if you can find the 2007 article on PS (of course, things might have changed over these yrs). I think this is because of the Straussian factor. BC is known for its PT training. That said, IR,CP, or quant AP are all not regarded in that program.

Since you mentioned the possibility of taking classes at Harvard...The Boston Consortium only consists of BU, BC, Tufts. Unless your advisor has good connection with Harvard faculty members (meaning an indep study w ur advisor while actually sitting in a harvard classroom) or it is not likely that u'll be allowed to take classes there.