geigwm6 Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 This may seem like a trivial question, but what is the difference between American Studies and American History, because some schools talk about their overlapping. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurePhD Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 American Studies is a broader, interdisciplinary field in the humanities. FYI, however, the job market for someone with a PhD in American studies is far worse than for someone with a doctorate in American History (not that the job market for historians is great either). Make sure you get some sound advice if you are considering pursuing a PhD in American Studies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geigwm6 Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 Can someone transition from a MA in American Studies to a PhD in History America, is this common? My final goal is definitely a PhD in History--not American studies. I'm just becoming more and more concerned that my GPA will not cut it for a decent program (possibly as bad as a 3.1 cum/3.5 history albeit at a tough school), so I'm trying to figure out what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeLight Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 it's possible to transition, but the MA in american history will probably carry more weight than an MA in american studies. at one point i was considering enrolling in a latin american studies MA and then applying for a latin american history PhD and i was advised to do my masters level work in history instead. it's definitely not unheard of to make the transition from ___ studies to ___ history, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodGuy Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 American Studies is a broader, interdisciplinary field in the humanities. FYI, however, the job market for someone with a PhD in American studies is far worse than for someone with a doctorate in American History (not that the job market for historians is great either). Make sure you get some sound advice if you are considering pursuing a PhD in American Studies. Just curious: what sorta advice would you impart or expect to be imparted? As someone about to start a PhD in American Studies, I'm wondering what the discourse is around this choice. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotf629 Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 GoodGuy, check out the Chronicle of Higher Education fora on this topic: http://chronicle.com/forums/ and then search "American Studies." See especially this thread: http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/t ... 235.0.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurePhD Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 My comment was directed more towards someone who is thinking about applying to American Studies programs vs. American History programs. My advice would be to talk to as many Professors/Advisors as possible to make sure this is the best route. I assume you have already done this since you are getting ready to start a program. Moreover, it looks like you are going to one of the top programs, which is probably a must if you want to be a competitive job candidate with an American Studies PhD. I second the previous poster's suggestion to look at the archives over at the chronicle, you will find a lot of great information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterpat Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Just curious: what sorta advice would you impart or expect to be imparted? As someone about to start a PhD in American Studies, I'm wondering what the discourse is around this choice. Thanks! You're doing AS at Harvard, so my guess is that you will be fine. But I would suggest this article: http://www.personal.ceu.hu/students/06/ ... ies%20.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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