Interdisciplinary programs with a focus on psychoanalysis

[Crossbow9]

Hi, everyone. I know its a little late in the game, but I am still struggling to figure out if my research interests are too narrow for a PhD program. I would really like to do something that combines literature and psychoanalysis; maybe an in-depth textual exploration of specific psychoanalytic concepts across different literary periods. My MA dissertation focuses on a similar thing, but in the realm of poetry, and at a much smaller scale. Looking at the faculty of different universities, I believe that SUNY, Duke, UC Davis and a few others will be the best fit for me. However, I read somewhere that admission committees prefer candidates with more traditional research interests. Is this true? If not, does anyone have any suggestions regarding mid-tier PhD programs with a focus on psychoanalysis? I could really use some help, especially since I am international student (from India). 

[echo449]

There's no reason that you wouldn't be able to do a psycho-analytic project at many English programs. Why do you need to be in an interdisciplinary program specifically? Do you intend to make contributions to the field of psychoanalysis as such? Look for programs w/ faculty who are doing psychoanalytic projects--I bet you'll find a decent amount in "traditional" departments as well. Psychoanalytic criticism is pretty "standard," as far as it goes, as an approach within our field.  

(Depending on what kinds of psychoanalytic projects you might be envisioning, you might even be *old-fashioned*!)

Edited September 6, 2016 by echo449

[Crossbow9]

Thank you so much for replying. Its good to hear that most universities have faculties with a background in psychoanalysis. But, does "old-fashioned" in any way mean too generic? Would it be weird if I run my research topic by you, since you are already attending and seem to have a good understanding of how the whole admission process works? In India, for instance, psychoanalysis is still a relatively exclusive field. So, I am not sure what to expect. 

Edited September 7, 2016 by Crossbow9

[echo449]

Sure, why don't you PM me. I'd be happy to talk more. To alleviate some concerns, tho, I don't think psychoanalytic criticism is necessarily generic.

[allplaideverything]

I'm doing psychoanalysis & literature at UC-Davis! This is indeed a pretty good place to do such work, and you're right that Buffalo and Duke are also great. I too am happy to chat more with you about specifics if you want.

[poliscar]

Why mid-tier? And really, I wouldn't consider Duke, or even Davis, as mid-tier. 

My first thought was Princeton, which has some absolutely stellar people across various departments. I mean, Anne Cheng, Peter Brooks, Brigid Doherty, etc... 

[cloudofunknowing]

Also, if you haven't investigated UC Santa Barbara -- where Aranye Fradenburg teaches and heads a concentration called Literature and the Mind -- or UC Irvine, where Julia Reinhard Lupton teaches, those might be worth a look. 

Fradenburg is a powerhouse of a medievalist -- & a trained psychoanalyst, too. Lupton specializes in the Renaissance. 

[more.truly.more.strange]

Does anyone know whether Peter Brooks is actively taking on students, and if so, whether he makes a good advisor?