Political Theory Programs

[Anthony Villarreal]

Hi everyone,

 

I’m looking to apply to PHD programs in political science and have two questions.

 

First, I’m looking for programs that allow for a strong emphasis on political theory. I’m particularly interested in power relations and democratic theory. My main two concerns, given some of the work I’ve been doing since I finished my masters, which was in public policy at the kennedy school, is that the program be open to a wide spectrum of political thought, from continental philosophy, interdisciplinary research, critical theory, maybe even decolonial theory.

 

I’m supposing that the top 15 programs listed for political theory in the US News rankings most likely fulfill this criteria, say Princeton, Duke, Northwestern etc, but was wondering which programs, outside of these 15, have very good political theory departments, since I need to balance my application list. So far Ive gathered UPenn, Virginia, Notre Dame and Boston College seem pretty good.

 

I was also looking to apply to the New School, whose program I know will be more open to critical theory than others, but in order to apply for the PHD one has to apply first for the MA it seems, which I’m willing to do.

 

The follow-up question would be programs that are doing a lot of work on Latin America, which would be my second area of interest,(I use a lot of Latin American thinkers for foundation, such as Dussel).

 

Thank for the help,

 

Saludos,

Anthony

[jazzrap]

Hi everyone,

 

I’m looking to apply to PHD programs in political science and have two questions.

 

First, I’m looking for programs that allow for a strong emphasis on political theory. I’m particularly interested in power relations and democratic theory. My main two concerns, given some of the work I’ve been doing since I finished my masters, which was in public policy at the kennedy school, is that the program be open to a wide spectrum of political thought, from continental philosophy, interdisciplinary research, critical theory, maybe even decolonial theory.

 

I’m supposing that the top 15 programs listed for political theory in the US News rankings most likely fulfill this criteria, say Princeton, Duke, Northwestern etc, but was wondering which programs, outside of these 15, have very good political theory departments, since I need to balance my application list. So far Ive gathered UPenn, Virginia, Notre Dame and Boston College seem pretty good.

 

I was also looking to apply to the New School, whose program I know will be more open to critical theory than others, but in order to apply for the PHD one has to apply first for the MA it seems, which I’m willing to do.

 

The follow-up question would be programs that are doing a lot of work on Latin America, which would be my second area of interest,(I use a lot of Latin American thinkers for foundation, such as Dussel).

 

Thank for the help,

 

Saludos,

Anthony

 

I would say trying your best to make yourself the best candidate for Notre Dame. It is a top-10 program in political theory, and also houses wonderful scholars of Latin America. The Kellogg Institute at Notre Dame is a leading center for studies of Latin America in particular and democratization and development in general. WARNING: I am not sure if Notre Dame has "Latin Americanists" who work on political theory. Most of them are comparativits who do empirically-oriented political science. 

[jeudepaume]

Hi Anthony!

 

I have heard on several occasions that the New School has very tight funding. If this is essential for you, you might want to talk to their students about it.

I was going to apply there too, but now I am not sure.

 

However, in regard to their suggested requirement to apply to their MA first, I think it is no different from a usual MA component of all American PhD programs. I.e. you have to acquire an MA degree on your way to PhD, which implies that the first two-three years of the program you are completing coursework and writing a Master's paper; then you proceed to the PhD examination and ABD ("all but dissertation"). 

 

Hope it helps. Good luck!

[aecp]

Hello Anthony,

 

Given your MPP/MPA degree from HKS, I would presume you are somewhat familiar with Harvard's political theory offerings in the Government department.  Are you applying to Harvard/ Does the program meet your needs?

[brittney1]

New School definitely has money issues. Good department, impossible odds of getting funding.

 

I recommend UC- Santa Barbara. Norris, Digeser, and Anderson are great. Bruhn is great for Latin American stuff.