Where to Apply for Theory?

[pt10]

Hello!

I'm so glad to stumble upon a subforum for Political Science! I'm currently a Poli Sci Senior at an unknown university (I also have a minor in Economics). Next fall I'd like to move on to graduate school in the subfield of Political Theory. I'm not sure if I'd like to get a masters first and then go for the PhD or go straight for the PhD. Ultimately, I'd like to teach at the university level. Unfortunately, I don't have a very good idea of where I should be looking to apply: I don't know which schools are particularly strong in Theory. I've looked at schools such at UT Austin, Florida, and others in the midwest and northeast. Any insight anyone has to offer to guide me toward some probable schools would be greatly appreciated!

Here are my stats:

GPA: 4.0

GRE: V 670, Q 730, AWA 4.5 (ouch, is this going to really hurt my chances?)

Research Experience: none really; I'm currently working on 2 projects (one over EU military integration and the other over differing theories concerning the justification of punishment) but neither will be written in time to submit as a writing sample. I do plan to mention them in my SOP though, and hopefully get the two professors helping me on each to write a LOR for me.

Teaching Experience: I'm in the Honors College (unrelated to Poli Sci) at my school and each professor picks an upper division student to help instruct the first semester freshmen in the program. I'm doing that this semester and I am responsible for grading all of their journals and some instructional activities. (They read texts by those such as Plato, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, etc.) The content is somewhat relevant to my Theory interests although I doubt the experience will mean anything to grad schools.

Any info pointing me toward some grad programs that I might have a shot at would be greatly appreciated! I know my GRE is spectacular, but maybe it will be good enough for some decent schools. Thanks!

[Penelope Higgins]

Theory departments tend to specialize in particular kinds of theory (historical, analytical, Straussian, post-modern, etc.) What kind of work do you want to do, and what kinds of questions are you interested in? Tell us more about that and hopefully someone here can suggest some programs to consider. Right now your area of interest is too broad for us to be helpful.

[pt10]

I am largely interested in the classics; everything from Plato to Marx. I am also a fan of current theory regarding mid 20th century ideologies such as fascism. I'm not particularly into current ideologies such as liberal and conservatism. Furthermore, my least favorite theory topic is the founding fathers: I just don't care for that era. As for themes, I much prefer justice, equality, and power to liberty. I'm currently doing a project on Punishment and find it incredibly fascinating, so areas along those lines interest me.

As for course setup, I prefer reading full texts as opposed to taking chunks out of various works that fit the "theme". I like themes, but would much prefer a class over a particular philosopher than a theme. I just feel that so much is taken for granted when I'm only looking for one thing.

I'm not sure if any of this helps, but I'm really not too lodged into any particular area. I like various aspects of theory. Any help would be appreciated!

[beebly]

Your chronological interests sound like the history of political thought. However, "justice, equality, power" sound more like issues dealt with by contemporary and critical theorists. There are some departments strong in both--Chicago, Yale, Harvard come to mind--but it might help you to clarify your own purposes by trying to frame a real project you hope to undertake in grad school (which you will have to do in your SOP anyway), the thinkers you'd look to, and the methodologies you'd employ. Then look for professors who study these thinkers and use these methodologies and apply to their departments.

How classes are run and what kinds of texts are assigned depends almost entirely on the professor and course design and not at all on the school--this doesn't seem like a consideration you should prioritize in looking for departments. However, Chicago's Committee on Social Thought does, as a program, emphasize holistic textual reading, and it offers many courses focused on just one text or writer at a time.

Finally, no, the writing GRE is unlikely to be a major factor if your application materials can demonstrate your writing ability.

[Tigs]

I don't know if you're committed to top tier only, but I'm a 4th year theorist at Rutgers University and I recommend the program wholeheartedly-- particularly to someone invested in the classics.

As far as classes go, all theorists must take a 1st year sequence that is essentially Plato-Rawls (although I have to say, we sort of spend the last several weeks on Marx and then give a nod to Rawls...). Aside from that, profs teach what they want, mostly focusing around specific movements, courses I've taken include: German Idealism, Critical Theory, African Humanism.

The program as a whole is flexible, lefty, and friendly. It's also almost impossible to get through the program without substantial dealings with either Marxist or feminist theory. You can choose one or the other, but you'll probably have to deal with one (or both!).

If you want to talk more, drop me a line at wlwrightru at gmail dot com.

**Also, I take fundamental exception to even the suggestions that one could not study Plato exclusively and yet still be devoted to the study of 'justice, equality, and power.'

[DrRockso]

It's a relatively new program, but I've heard good things about political theory/philosophy at Baylor. If you're looking for someplace "lefty", though, it's probably not the place for you.