Coursework Outside Primary Fields?

[Deadwing0608]

Hi All,

Just curious if anyone does coursework/research significantly outside their primary area of interest? I am in my first semester of a PhD program. I came in with an MA, an MA thesis (slated to be a chapter or at least a part of my dissertation), a clear proposal for my dissertation,  and an advisor pretty excited about the work. Some of my coursework this first semester has, however, piqued my interest in significantly different directions (geographically, temporally and thematically). although I have the language skills for this particular interest. Next semester there is a course being taught on my new interest and I am thinking of taking it. The chances that I would switch fields are very small. Unless I find the archival equivalent of the holy grail I am committed to my original proposal.

I am wondering if people take courses or do research significantly outside their area of interest? How common is this sort of experience among first year students? Do others feel the itch to do something different? Should I resist the temptation and continue taking only courses that are applicable to my comps/dissertation work?

 

Thanks!

[random_grad]

It appears that developing a minor field is generally encouraged, especially if you can link it to your main interest thematically or some other way. It is very beneficial on the job market. A situation which I've seen a couple of times is people switching from a well-established subfield to a young subfield.  It is, of course, problematic in terms of reforming the potential committee, but that's also why the committee does not get formed immediately: we're free to explore. You might want to stick with your initial topic for now and develop the other interest after your graduate, or might want to switch fields. It is a very delicate thing to do, on which I would not be able to advise you in depth. But it can be done. Otherwise, I'd say this shows that you have a genuine interest in your field broadly, which is great!

 

[ashiepoo72]

I think it's totally normal. Who knows, you might encounter interesting methodologies or models in the outside field that you can apply in cool ways to your field. Or, like random_grad said, minors. I'm vacillating between two minors, so I'm planning on taking coursework in both before I decide. Both are very outside of my major field. The way I figure, the next two or three years are the last time we get to decide what classes to take...after that, it's all dissertation and specialization. I want to dabble a bit before I settle on a minor, and I think you should, too, if your interests have been piqued.

[TMP]

In short, JUST GO FOR THE CLASS! :)

[Deadwing0608]

Thanks for the replies! I will be taking the class. Once the professor heard I had the language skills he basically handed me a reading list. Oddly, it was my fellow grad students that found it really out there that I would want to write a paper unrelated to my dissertation work! I tried to explain that I wanted to just immerse myself in something entirely different, since, as ashiepoo suggested, this is it before dissertation writing consumes all things...but I only got perplexed stares.

Edited November 30, 2015 by Deadwing0608

[mvlchicago]

I work primarily in the 16th century Atlantic World, looking backwards to late 14th century Castile. I also have been publishing/researching in digital culture at the 21st century. Other grad students can get salty, but if you can handle the work, don't worry about them. 

[rising_star]

I wouldn't worry at all about what other grad students think. Taking one class outside of your field isn't a big deal and developing a minor field can actually be really helpful, especially on the job market. Enjoy the class, Deadwing!

[TMP]

Agreed.  A good number of grad students don't make an effort to really understand the benefits of exploring other methodologies or disciplines.  I took a class in my discipline but it was far out of my intended geographical and thematic focus but it turned out to be immensely helpful for me.  I ended up minoring in that thematic field and having that professor be my examiner