PhD in MCC - previously studied Visual Arts

[flip-a]

Hi everyone,

 

I recently finished my MA in Multimedia Art in Lisbon, Portugal.

I am now applying for a Fulbright scholarship, in order to do a PhD program in the US.

TheGradCafe forums helped immensely in narrowing down interesting programs.

 

My MA comprised both studio practice and theoretical research presented in the form of a dissertation.

Mine addressed a semiotic theory of appropriation in artistic practice.

 

In my MA we did have Media Theory, Critical Theory and Visual Culture courses. However, everything is focused on the somehow limited and self-reflexive questions of "art". I believe I have acquired critical thinking abbility and independence, but lack knowledge of content regarding the areas that interst me (for instance mapping visuality in popular culture, media archeology).

 

I have come to a crossroad that leads to two areas: Visual Studies and Media/Culture programs (such as MCC at NYU).

Visual Studies programs offer the possibility of critical media practice, which I find really interesting. Media/Culture programs seem to be strictly textual.

 

The problem with Visual Studies programs, however, is that they are often also concerned with art in some way (as the otherwise excelent "Film and Visual Studies" offered by Harvard or VS programs offered by Art History departments).

 

My question is how fit is someone with my studies background for a program like MCC. Given that my interests fit with those of the faculty, and I am interested in filling a content gap in my former education, do you think it could work?

I've found out that there is one "Creative Media Practice" course at NYU - MCC. This could perhaps bridge the gap between theory and practice.

 

 

One last question: does anyone know of Media/Culture programs that accept critical media practice as a complement to academic textual research without being Film-studies related?

 

Look forward to reading your thoughts on this and hope this discussion might be useful to others!

[DrF8]

Check out the Media Anthropology program at Harvard:

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~anthro/grad_media.htm

 

Also, check out the iMAP program at USC, which is half theory and half practice:

http://cinema.usc.edu/imap/

 

For the theoretical side, you could take critical studies courses as part of that program, which cover pop culture. And whatever practice-based courses your heart desires for the practical side.

 

And I can't leave out the Digital Media program at Georgia Tech:

http://dm.lmc.gatech.edu/program/phd-program/

 

This program may or may not be a fit for you, but there is a course on visual culture and it's also a mixture of theory and practice, so that's why I mention it.

 

Good luck in your search for the right program.

 

By the way, I will be applying to the Electronic Arts program at RPI and the iMAP program at USC because they are both theory/practice based and have faculty that match my main research interest, which is virtual reality.

Edited June 1, 2013 by DrF8

[flip-a]

I've just seen your reply now, but thanks, great info!

Actually I've decided to go for the fully theoretical route, and I'm happy about that decision. Still I'm considering of applying to Harvard's Film and Visual Studies, a program in which many faculty students are also practicing artists.

The Electronic arts program looks really interesting. Good luck for your applications!