Studying Political Theory & Philosophy Only?

[incognegra]

Hello,

 

Is anyone aware of programs where one can study political theory and philosophy only? I am very interested in 19th and 20th century political theory/philosophy as well as contemporary thought surrounding identity politics. I find political theorists within poli sci departments to have some of the most compelling reflections on these topics in their work.. However, I do not have the background necessary to pursue a PhD in straight-up philosophy and am not interested in the other areas of political science that I would need to study and in which I would need to be examined in the poli sci programs I've considered. Can anyone recommend a theory/philosophy-heavy Poli Sci doctoral program or an interdisciplinary program that could meet these criteria? Rhetoric at UCBerkeley has certainly crossed my mind but the funding situation in the UC system combined with Judith Butler's possible exit from the program make me wary.

 

Thanks!

Edited October 5, 2013 by incognegra

[peternewman89]

What are you looking to do after getting a PhD? I just started a program as a theorist, and job prospects 5 years down the line are fairly grim even with some methodological training and a second area of concentration (outside of theory) that I can use to market myself.  Not to say there's no chance, but carving yourself such a tiny niche would likely leave you nowhere to go after you finish schooling.  I'm in the midst of my first stats course now, alongside a course on general methodology, and I'm not enjoying it, but it's giving me enough that the department will be able to say I'm competent enough in this stuff down the line.  Yes it's useless and has nothing to do with my eventual dissertation or future research, but it's the sort of thing I just have to grin and bear. 

[AmericanQuant]

I share Peter's concerns about focusing solely on theory, it's definitely not a field with a lot of jobs. If that's what you want to do, however, Princeton's Politics department will basically let you do only theory for 5 years.  I don't think that's particularly wise, but if that's what you're gonna do, you can't do much better than Princeton.

[incognegra]

Thanks very much for your replies.