Maters in critical theory/cultural studies - Newschool or Uni of Arkansas?

[Niaa]

I'm interested in the intersection of critical theory, cultural studies and legal theory.  I have been accepted at the New School for Social research's Liberal Studies program, but being forced to go to Uni of Arkansas by Fulbright (they are funding my MA). Does anyone know how the Uni of Arkansas program in Comparative Literature and Cultural studies rates? It looks completely traditional literature to me! http://www.uark.edu/ua/cplt/

Does it make sense to spend to 2 years there just to avail the scholarship, considering my interests? Please advise.

[kglad]

I'm interested in the intersection of critical theory, cultural studies and legal theory.  I have been accepted at the New School for Social research's Liberal Studies program, but being forced to go to Uni of Arkansas by Fulbright (they are funding my MA). Does anyone know how the Uni of Arkansas program in Comparative Literature and Cultural studies rates? It looks completely traditional literature to me! http://www.uark.edu/ua/cplt/

Does it make sense to spend to 2 years there just to avail the scholarship, considering my interests? Please advise.

 

Have you talked to anyone in the department at U of Arkansas directly to inquire? U of Arkansas' program may allow for you to focus on theory or concentrate on say, reviewing literature through a legal theory lens in your final papers/projects. Your electives or, if you take a minor, could also steer the degree to theory.

 

Best of luck with this difficult decision.

[hesadork]

So the choice is a funded master's at U of Ark or a full-freight master's at the New School?  In this field, I would jump at the funding opportunity.

[Niaa]

Thanks for the replies!

 

Yes, U of Ark is completely funded, New School I'd have to take out loans or something (I have 50% tuition waiver from New School, but as an international student, I can't afford the the rest of the 50% or the living costs in New York).

 

My other choice is to not go, and then apply for PhDs directly next year. But what are the chances of getting into a fully funded PhD at a good uni (i like berekely, columbia, minnesota, irvine, davis) -- without a masters, and with an initial degree in law from abroad?

 

And I asked the head of the dept at U of Ark. He couldn't give me any curriculum lists as courses are individually designed. He said i could take courses outside the department, and that "you could do ur project at our department BUT its not ideally suited for your faculty interests"...for one no one has any legal theory experience, and only one or two profs work in critical theory. 

 

Also, U of Ark's ratings are pretty bad, and I don't know anyone who knows anything abt that school... Could someone guide me in terms of its reputation?

[hesadork]

I think a Fulbright-funded master's will make you more competitive for a doctoral program, irrespective of the institution, provided that you perform well in it.