CUNY and NSSR for Political Theory

[Gaius12]

Hello again everyone,

 

So since US News doesn't provide rankings for political theory beyond #14 or so, I am just wondering, are either CUNY or NSSR good for political theory? Or at least, would they be higher ranked for political theory than their overall rank in political science? I have heard some good things about both programs (and bad things of course), but I am just wondering since I am trying to decide on some lower ranked programs to apply to for my cycle next year. As a note, I want to study political theory.

 

Thanks!

[cooperstreet]

Good in what sense? Academic job prospects upon graduation?

[Gaius12]

By "good for political theory," I mean "generally considered to be better for political theory than for the other subfields that each school offers." Academic job prospects upon graduation would be one major criterion for what constitutes a "good" program of course, although since most people's job prospects in academia don't seem to be particularly great, perhaps that is not the only thing that matters for considering a program to be good? In any case, please feel free to answer utilizing whichever definition of good most suits you (and I mean that in a friendly, not snarky, way).

[cooperstreet]

In terms of academic job prospects neither of them are good for political theory. But I do think the New School has some interesting scholars doing some interesting work. Its just really outside the mainstream--if that is your cup of tea, go for it (provided you have funding). CUNY has Corey Robin who has made a name for himself in the public sphere, and also has academic respect.

[PvZ 2]

I may have mistaken, but as far as I can recall, CUNY (or probably a campus of SUNY…) hires a few retired but eminent political theorists (Richard Wolin, Melvin Richter, etc.). I don't know if they teach, but you might explore this possibility. At The New School you might work with David Miler, who is said to be an interesting guy. Yet a friend of mine who has a cohort who graduated with an MA from The New School did not recommend its Ph.D. program if one wants to pursue an academic career, since their Ph.D.s spend most of their times in teaching (3-4 classes per semester, as it was said) rather than doing research.