Top 20 programs fit: Theory, Marxism, 20th century American and German lit

[plznE3]

Hi guys,

 

I know this is a common request but thought I'd give it a try. Could anyone possibly recommend any top 20 programs that fit my research interest? I am mainly interested in Marxism, 20th century American lit, and 20th century German lit. I am looking for universities that have a strong (Marxist) theory department. I know that university rankings do not say much about ranking in certain fields but I'm specifically looking for places ranked top 20 nationally such as Columbia, Yale, Berkeley, UPenn etc. I've been reading a lot about Duke but they only offer PhDs and don't grant an MA as part of their PhD track. I am by no means certain that I will get in anywhere but I thought I'd include one or two of those schools to my list of applications just to give it a shot. I will be applying for Fall 2014.

Thanks so much!

Edited August 7, 2013 by plznE3

[danieleWrites]

I have no suggestions, other than Terry Eagleton at Oxford, about programs. However, while you're searching, look at each university's sociology department. Many universities will allow you take courses outside of the department and sociology is where Marx is at. If you can't find a great fit, at least find a good fit that allows some cross-training.

[egwynn]

I'd look as well at Communication Studies departments, Comp Lit, and even maybe Art History.  And/or look at journals that you read and see who's being published in them and where they're working from.  

[plznE3]

Thanks, guys! This is great advice. I didn't know about taking courses outside of the department. This helps immensely.

[poliscar]

I'd check out Princeton. They have a really stellar German department, which, though not explicitly Marxist, is heavily tied in with Benjamin and the Frankfurt School. They also have the Alexander Kluge Research Collection, alongside professors working on everything from Musil and Mann, to Kafka and Dada. 

Also look http://www.princeton.edu/ihum/ and http://mediamodernity.princeton.edu/index.php . Both are interdisciplinary programs with really awesome course offerings, and I think they'd both be suitable for you if you intend to work across German and American lit. 
 

Oh, and I know that Andrew Cole, in the English departmen, recently taught a graduate seminar on philosophical Marxism. 

Edited August 8, 2013 by poliscar

[Lycidas]

I have no suggestions, other than Terry Eagleton at Oxford, about programs. However, while you're searching, look at each university's sociology department. Many universities will allow you take courses outside of the department and sociology is where Marx is at. If you can't find a great fit, at least find a good fit that allows some cross-training.

 

Just a note: Eagleton hasn't been at Oxford since 2001. Currently he rotates between Lancaster University, National University of Ireland, and Notre Dame, but I don't believe he advises graduate students at any of those schools. 

[danieleWrites]

Just a note: Eagleton hasn't been at Oxford since 2001. Currently he rotates between Lancaster University, National University of Ireland, and Notre Dame, but I don't believe he advises graduate students at any of those schools. 

 

Thank you! Just goes to show how far behind I am.