Interdisciplinary MA to Poli Sci programs- SoP advice

[themittn]

I am completing my MA in Women's and Gender Studies this year and will be applying to PhD programs in Poli Sci this fall. I have a Bachelor's in Poli Sci and Women's Studies, and was looking for advice for crafting a SoP. Since I have spent the last year+ period doing gender studies research that is more sociological & qualitative, didn't know if it was appropriate to draw from positive undergrad political science experiences in SoP or if it's better to stick with my more recent works, experiences, and current program (which have been minimally related to politics/government and less quantitative). I certainly see gender as component of my interest in Poli Sci research, but how can I demonstrate knowledge in discipline when it's been a while and not a primary component in current works? Perhaps there is someone who has had a similar situation. Thanks

[OriginalDuck]

I'm starting a PhD in Political Science this fall after having spent the last three years getting a JD, so I had to answer some similar questions for myself last fall. As for demonstrating knowledge in discipline, you should be fine between remembering what you learned in undergrad and reading articles on your current research interests.

 

As far as what to stress in your SOP, I would say that focusing more on your undergrad or your MA would not be nearly as helpful as showing why both experiences shaped your current research interests and make you an ideal candidate. From your post, it seems that you want to pursue more quantitative research than what you have been doing for your MA. Just because your gender studies work is not very quantitative doesn't mean (hopefully) that you've wasted two years on work that yielded no skills or knowledge that could be useful for your future research. Without more information, it's hard for me to say what the relationship between your BA, MA, and future research would be, but it could be as simple as discussing research questions your recent work led you to that you need more methodological training to tackle quantitatively.

[zenslakr]

Google graduate syllabi and find articles that fit your interest. Don't regurgitate the fundamentals of poli sci from undergrad (this will not help) and try and use your masters to make yourself standout. You should tailor your SOP for each program, and given your interests, you should choose your program based on potential advisers and write your SOP for that person. Only apply to the top ten qualitative programs (maybe even top five) in your subfield, but keep in mind that you should be able to find a person that you want to work with BEFORE you apply.

 

American and Comparative are pretty quantitative these days, so that leaves IR and Political Theory (Of course there are exceptions). Some big names from feminist political theory are Jane Bennet, Lisa Disch and Mary Dietz. International Relations has a large feminist contingent, Ann Tickner and Cynthia Enloe are prominent authors. Look for syllabi with those names (and ideally your potential adviser) and read the articles, see if you can find survey articles that will get you up to speed.

 

You may also want to consider Sociology PhD programs.

[zenslakr]

If you are looking for quantitative scholars that work on gender, the same strategy will work. However, your masters will not be an asset in your applications.

[zenslakr]

Wendy Brown and Bonnie Honig are some other names that would pop up in a feminist syllabus, probably more name recognition than the ones I mentioned.