Choosing a concentrated track at YDS

[colormelovely]

Hi all,

 

I'm applying for Yale's concentrated Master's degree; however, I'm unsure about what "track" my interests fit into. I'm mainly interested in conceptions of gender/women/sexuality in ancient Christianity. Since language competency is critical for this sub-field, the Bible track seems to be the most fitting. However, I'm assuming that this track is the most competitive so I'm considering applying for the Women, Gender, and Sexuality track (I have a hunch that it gets less applicants than the Bible). But I doubt that the Women/Gender track would emphasize language work or maybe it's possible to for me to "customize" my own track to fit my interests.

 

So any thoughts? I'm thinking about emailing a POI about this, but I'm not sure.

 

 

[diazalon]

I can't give you an answer about what you should do, but I can tell you what I did with similar interests during my time at YDS. The bible concentration requires a fair amount of specific coursework, and requires you to take courses in areas that may not jive with your specific interests. The History of Christianity track, on the other hand, only has two firm requirements, and gives you access to all of the courses both at YDS and at the College, should you want to explore the academic environment downtown. For me, the flexibility of History of Christianity, over against Bible, meant that I could spend time studying overseas, and time at Yale taking classes that made me attractive for the type of program I had my eyes set on. (For instance, the Bible concentration requires you to take classes in theology, which may be your interest, but certainly was not mine.) I'd spend some time on the website looking at the concentration worksheets - that will help you make the decision that is right for how you see your two years at Yale going.

 

http://divinity.yale.edu/academic-affairs-students

 

Also, for what it's worth, if you can stomach it, the MARc at Yale is only two years of funding, while the M.Div guarantees 3. 

[Greenwood16]

From what I understand, you would fit best in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality track.

[theophany]

The WGSSR concentration plan looks like this: http://divinity.yale.edu/sites/default/files/mar_plan_gender_sexuality.pdf

The Bible is here: http://divinity.yale.edu/sites/default/files/mar_plan-bible.pdf

The History of Christianity here: http://divinity.yale.edu/sites/default/files/MARHistoryChristianity.pdf

 

As you can see, the History of Christianity is by far the most flexible of the three, as diazalon (hey buddy!) noted. The WGSSR is strange because it doesn't belong to one of the Areas (think departments) of the School, so faculty choice isn't as constrained as it would be if you were applying to one of the more Area-based concentrations (e.g. Bible, History of Christianity). Ultimately, as my advice usually is on this kind of thing, email Sean McAvoy at the YDS admissions office and talk with him. He'll be able to clarify more on how the admissions process works when you have particular faculty in mind. Your POI would also be a good person to be emailing with anyway.

[colormelovely]

Thanks for the very helpful advice, everyone! To be clear: Is it acceptable to email POIs for M* programs? I feel a bit hesitant only because its only two years, and faculty may be generally less concerned with M* students.

[xypathos]

It's acceptable in so far if you share interests and want to know if they or others will be running courses in that area. You can certainly inquire about them being your academic advisor. I don't know how Yale does it but at Vandy you're assigned to a professor in your area and potentially switch to a more specific advisor later on.

I don't see a professor being able to, or willing, to "go to bat" for you like they may a PhD applicant.

Edited November 8, 2014 by xypathos

[diazalon]

Thanks for the very helpful advice, everyone! To be clear: Is it acceptable to email POIs for M* programs? I feel a bit hesitant only because its only two years, and faculty may be generally less concerned with M* students.

 

Sure, if you have a specific question that Sean McAvoy can't answer, shoot an email to a faculty member. Generally they are quite obliging to prospective students, though don't expect a novel in response.