How 'literature'-heavy is Stanford's MTL?

[anthropologeist]

Dear all,

I recently graduated with a degree in anthropology, but I found its disciplinary boundaries/emphasis on ethnography/knowledge production through fieldwork to be unappealing for my graduate research. I am interested in ontology, epistemology, and technologies of the body. My ideal program would contain elements of continental philosophy and critical theory. I am applying to Stanford's MTL, Berkeley's Rhetoric, perhaps Duke's literature, UCI's Culture and Society -- you get the picture. I may also apply for philosophy programs that are strong in continental philosophy (but haven't found many; any suggestions would be useful).

The problem for me with Stanford's MTL program is that I am uninterested in "literature." By this, I mean that I don't want to spend my graduate years studying authors of fiction. From what I understand, Stanford's MTL program requires about half of the course load to be in literature. However, to complicate things, I heard that "theory" courses count for the "literature" requirements. Do any of you know more about this "literature" requirement? I understand that "literature" can mean a number of things depending on the program (see Duke). Any insights would be wonderful.

[Two Espressos]

Dear all,

I recently graduated with a degree in anthropology, but I found its disciplinary boundaries/emphasis on ethnography/knowledge production through fieldwork to be unappealing for my graduate research. I am interested in ontology, epistemology, and technologies of the body. My ideal program would contain elements of continental philosophy and critical theory. I am applying to Stanford's MTL, Berkeley's Rhetoric, perhaps Duke's literature, UCI's Culture and Society -- you get the picture. I may also apply for philosophy programs that are strong in continental philosophy (but haven't found many; any suggestions would be useful).

The problem for me with Stanford's MTL program is that I am uninterested in "literature." By this, I mean that I don't want to spend my graduate years studying authors of fiction. From what I understand, Stanford's MTL program requires about half of the course load to be in literature. However, to complicate things, I heard that "theory" courses count for the "literature" requirements. Do any of you know more about this "literature" requirement? I understand that "literature" can mean a number of things depending on the program (see Duke). Any insights would be wonderful.

I wouldn't apply to Stanford's MTL program if you're "uninterested in literature." MTL requires a dual specialization, one of which must be literature, and you wouldn't be able to skirt around that. Then again, if you really want to know how a particular graduate program operates, ask someone at that program. Sending a brief email to the graduate program chair or an administrative assistant in the department certainly wouldn't hurt.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Two Espressos

[etiolation]

I've been looking into this program, and my impression is that you really have to be interested in literature to gain admission to/succeed in the program. The "About" page says this:

"The Ph.D. program is designed specifically for students who have a strong interest in literature or culture, but whose approach or focus requires an interdisciplinary program--for example, students interested in anthropological or philosophical approaches to literature and culture; gender studies; ethnic studies; or in topics such as legal humanities, popular culture, and social or cultural theory."

I would talk to them about what they consider "literature," but if you really have no interest in literature, it may not really be the right program for you.

[anthropologeist]

Thanks to those who responded thus far! I will get in contact with the department to ask about their use of "literature" -- after more research, tons of their classes in comp lit and German/French look fascinating. Sigh, the confusions of an applicant.