Am Studies/Cultural Studies/Theory 2013

[InHacSpeVivo]

FYI: I gave into temptation and called Michigan. I was told decisions would be sent out in the next two weeks or by the end of February at the latest.

 

Not super-helpful, I know, but I thought it might ease the minds of other Michigan applicants expecting to hear. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that decisions are taking 2-3 weeks longer this year...

Edited February 7, 2013 by Pericles II.ii.48

[notaprettygrrrl]

Thanks for the info, Pericles! At least we know not to presume rejections.

[notaprettygrrrl]

As we obsessively check the results boards and our emails, I'd be curious to hear what people's specific research interests are outside of (or in addition to) the "queer theory" "critical race studies" "poststructuralism" "Marxism" etc. kind of key words.

 

For me a lot of what I am interested in revolves around most of those key words ^ and specifically looking at U.S. security through very material forms like border walls, cameras, biometrics, etc. as well as expanding ideas of security to both include affect as a more or less security "technique" as well as linking security studies more closely with feminist science studies and how we interpret "the body" in relation to technologies. While my focus on this has been mostly in a post-9/11 context (spec. with airport full-body scanners), I want to move into the 19th/20th century a bit more a look more closely at immigration policy/tactics. [That would be a very broad idea of what I want to study]

 

And good luck again to everybody

 

So interesting to hear what you all are studying!

 

My key words are very similar. Specifically, I am interested in apocalyptic thought, myth, and literature and the space they create for individual autonomy and agency to come to light through the loss of socially constructed norms--mainly, the contrast between American Indian (inclusive of all the Americas) thought and Western/American thought--and how they imagine/create new social realities. I am also concerned with pluralism as it relates to underserved populations (especially rural American Indian communities) with regard to cultural preservation/homogenization and education. Related to both of these, I am also interested in the preservation of native languages because of their connection to cultural identity and sense-making structures.

Edited February 8, 2013 by notaprettygrrrl

[phigirl]

As we obsessively check the results boards and our emails, I'd be curious to hear what people's specific research interests are outside of (or in addition to) the "queer theory" "critical race studies" "poststructuralism" "Marxism" etc. kind of key words.

 

For me a lot of what I am interested in revolves around most of those key words ^ and specifically looking at U.S. security through very material forms like border walls, cameras, biometrics, etc. as well as expanding ideas of security to both include affect as a more or less security "technique" as well as linking security studies more closely with feminist science studies and how we interpret "the body" in relation to technologies. While my focus on this has been mostly in a post-9/11 context (spec. with airport full-body scanners), I want to move into the 19th/20th century a bit more a look more closely at immigration policy/tactics. [That would be a very broad idea of what I want to study]

 

And good luck again to everybody

 

Interesting indeed to hear what the fellow applicants are interested in!

 

Well my interests are a bit hodge-podge, as are most of ours. My background is in colonial history, constitutional law & politics, and post WW2 history. I'm really primarily interested in the intersection of politics, history, and popular culture. Something that has always struck me about the current application-age generation is that so many people say things like "I hate politics" and "I don't participate in politics" when in fact, politics of all types (not just legal) run the planet and society. It's interesting to me how people don't understand that every action they make is in fact political in a certain light. I like to focus all of my ideas back to Colonial American history and the founding of the American nation and I like to trace present day phenomena back to their roots and look at how (more often than not) things haven't profoundly changed as much as the American public likes to verbalize that they have. I have done some work with nostalgia and cultural memory in relation to all of this, but my proposed thesis is a little different.

 

If you followed that train of thought you get a gold star-not an application decision, I know, but it's the small victories right?

[fsm]

Hi! my fellow anxiety ridden applicants. I'm mostly applying to Religious studies programs, but I'm waiting to hear back for the George Washington American Studies program, and am on the waitlist for Am. Stud. at UT Austin. Waiting is the worst. Congrats to those of y'all who have gotten acceptances!

[Swagato]

Stanford's MTL decisions will be out by the end of February. As of Feb 6, the ad-com has yet to make any final decisions.

[notaprettygrrrl]

Michigan is starting to send out rejections, I see. Nervous!

[InHacSpeVivo]

Yeah, one of those is me.

[Gwendolyn]

Did not get into Michigan. Oh well, already accepted Ohio State's offer. Good luck to those of you who get in! 

[InHacSpeVivo]

Congrats on Ohio State, Gwendolyn! I'm super jealous that you have a place to be next year. That's amazing!

[Gwendolyn]

Congrats on Ohio State, Gwendolyn! I'm super jealous that you have a place to be next year. That's amazing!

Thanks, I'm hopeful you'll be able to say the same for yourself soon.  

[sidewalks]

How did the NYU interview go for those who had one?

[intersectional]

How did the NYU interview go for those who had one?

Yes, I'm also curious about the NYU interviews. Any news?

Also, what is happening with UCSC HistCon? Someone posted an acceptance at the end of January. Has anyone else heard anything?

 

[PhDreams]

How did the NYU interview go for those who had one?

 

So.. are the interviews only for potential waitlist candidates? Or did people get in yet already?

[intersectional]

So.. are the interviews only for potential waitlist candidates? Or did people get in yet already?

PhDreams, why do you assume a rejection from Stanford? Which department? Has anyone posted an acceptance?

 

[PhDreams]

PhDreams, why do you assume a rejection from Stanford? Which department? Has anyone posted an acceptance?

 

 

Anthropology dept interview invites went out already. I didnt get one.

[intersectional]

Anthropology dept interview invites went out already. I didnt get one.

Sorry to hear that. I wonder though whether they interview everyone they are seriously considering.

 

[s0classic]

intersectional - have you heard anything from MTL? Why do I feel like we'll hear something by the end of this week?

[intersectional]

intersectional - have you heard anything from MTL? Why do I feel like we'll hear something by the end of this week?

 Not yet! I believe acceptances went out on the 15th last year. 

[s0classic]

Not yet! I believe acceptances went out on the 15th last year.

I hope the dates are consistent!

[Troppman]

I, too, am anxiously waiting to hear back from some of the programs mentioned in this thread. Most of these programs already have posted accepted representatives on the board though :-X. Good luck to all!

[hidalgo]

anyone have contact with Brown and GWU and know when the decisions will start rolling?

[InHacSpeVivo]

Second that Brown question. When I submitted my app they said notification would arrive in 4-8 weeks, and it will be 8 weeks this Friday. Not that I think it will be anything other than a rejection...

[hidalgo]

yeah it's so competitive. looks amazing though. probably where I'd be happiest. but my recommenders had no connections there and the one faculty member I could work with and mentioned in my PS is probably already really, really popular and not on the look out for incoming grad students.

[ahaidaris]

Had my NYU interview today! Honestly, I thought it could have gone better D: The questions were what you would expect and the 15-20 minutes flew by. Overall, if I could change anything it would have been to be more specific, I think my answers were relatively general and that I didn't really get across the points I had wanted to or give a very specific or 'unique' impression of myself. (My hopes had been to prepare more this past weekend but I was beat up pretty badly [no serious injuries though] and most of my time and mental space has been dedicated toward that. Unfortunately I chose to go with the interview and kind of wish I had requested to move it to another date so I could have gathered myself a little better)

Also there was no indication of who was being interviewed/if they had chosen certain applicants already/or when we could expect to hear back. It was also so brief that any questions I had for the committee I wasn't able to ask. So I'm afraid I can't give much more insight other than that. As always good luck to everybody!