Labor History?

[heulwen]

Hello folks

I'm a third year international MA student interested in the history of women's and child labor in the late nineteenth - early twentieth centuries. My current research focuses on textile workers in the Middle East (Ottoman Empire), but I'm also interested in the South Asian and European contexts. I was thinking of applying to a couple of PhD programs in the US this year and looking for a history program that'll best match my resarch interests.So far I'm not very successful at identifying the right history program for me and I thought I'd ask for help. What departments/programs can you think of, with a focus on labor history and gender preferably in the Middle East? I know it's not a very popular topic and most probably I won't be able to find all three of these together, but it won't hurt to ask around. I'd appreciate very much any recommendations/suggestions.

By the way, if these will help: My GRE verbal score is 160 and I have a working knowledge of Ottoman Turkish - research experience in the Ottoman Archives.

Thanks a million in advance !!

Edited November 14, 2012 by heulwen

[oryantin]

Merhaba,

Have you ever considered of applying to the PhD program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies at Washington University where you will have a chance to work with Resat Kasaba? Michigan's Sociology department may be another option if you plan to approach the question from sociological perspective. As you might know, Fatme Muge Gocek works there. If Professor Quatert did not pass away, you could also apply to Binghamton What about working with Joel Beining of Stanford University? http://www.stanford.edu/~beinin/ He also has similar interests as you.

If you think of studying in Europe, Leiden with Zurcher and Atabaki would be an excellent choice too.

Don't hesitate to ask if you need further help.

Selamlar, Oryantin.

Edited November 14, 2012 by oryantin

[heulwen]

Selam

Wow thanks a lot!! I applied to Mich. Sociology last year and I got rejected. I had a lower GRE score then, but I doubt it was the only reason. Clearly I wasn't a good fit for the department where there is not a strong focus on labor studies. F. Müge Göçek studies Ottoman Empire but her topics of interest hardly match mine. So I don't think I'll give it another shot this year.

As for the Washington University, Near and Middle Eastern Studies sounds interesting.. I'm familiar with Reşat Kasaba's work on the Ot. Empire's integration into the world capitalism. He's an inspiring academician. The only thing that bugs me there is that it also looks like a department where no one is particularly interested in labor studies. But I'll certainly look more deeply into it.

Stanford - Joel Beining: I'm really suprised to find about him ! Yes his research interests do indeed look very similar to mine.... I'll try to contact him as soon as possible! Thanks a lot for the recommendation

I'd go try Leiden too but do you think they provide funding for the PhD students? As far as I'm concerned it's super hard to obtain funding from European universities.

Again - Teşekkürler!!

[oryantin]

You're welcome As for your question about Leiden, yes they do have some funding oppurtunities through various scholarship programmes like this http://www.studyinho...ship-programme. For more information, I'd suggest you to contact PhD students in MES at Leiden. And ask Prof. Zurcher to make it clear whether there is any funding source that can support you through your research there.

My only concern for Stanford is that Prof. Ali Yaycıoğlu had told me that they accept only one student in Middle East history every year and it is really competitive considering the name of the school.

A note: the school you apply to should not necessarily be an excellent fit. Any versed historians of the 19th and 20th century Ottoman empire can supervise your thesis. If your interests greatly match with those of a Professor, that may only make him/her more willing to stand for you in the admission committee. But at some schools they have no effect on the result, and they are only your grades, skills and papers which work for you.

Best wishes.

Edited November 14, 2012 by oryantin

[heulwen]

Yeah I guess you're right. Thanks a lot for your comments and suggestions!

Edited November 15, 2012 by heulwen

[hanlin]

You should consider Georgetown. Strong in Middle Eastern especially Ottoman History. Judith Tucker does both Ottoman and Women's history. There are labor historians here as well.

[heulwen]

Georgetown is on my list now. Thanks !