FreakyFoucault Posted January 7, 2018 Posted January 7, 2018 Hi, everyone! Out of sheer curiosity, I was wondering whether any of you have entertained the (of course, unrealistic) thought of doing a PhD in something other than English/Comp./Rhetoric, etc. I know at this point we're all probably for English do or die, but if, say, a PhD or MA in English were off the table, what subject would be your second choice? I'm guessing that many of you doubled majored, so I'm sure there are possibilities. At first, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. But half way through my senior year, I had a quarter-life crisis and determined that law was not a good fit for me. Then, for about one second, I thought about doing a PhD in political science (my other major). That sounded awful, however, so I then realized that English was what I really wanted. HOWEVER I was briefly a music major, and I've been a lover of classical, or as my theory professor preferred, art music, all my life. Over the years, I've begun to wish more and more that I would've slogged through the rest of the major. So, though I know basically nothing about the life of a musicologist, I'm going to say that my fantasy PhD choice would be in musicology! I'm curious to hear what your fantasy choices are!
a_sort_of_fractious_angel Posted January 7, 2018 Posted January 7, 2018 Oooh - this is a fun question. I've thought about two other degree paths - a PhD in Student Affairs and an MA in counseling. The SA degree stemmed from my panic about being rejected from PhDs as a 2nd year MA student and my love for higher education. Having looked at the requirements/experience needed and having spoken to friends who are actually in the field, I've come to realize that English is the better way for me to get into the university life but I hope that (if I get into an English program) that I can work alongside SA professionals down the road (I know sometimes the relationships between faculty and non-faculty can be extremely limited, which I personally think is not always the best thing.) The counseling MA was inspired by my undergrad work - my adviser was really into trauma studies and I really enjoyed the field. I looked into a psych double major as an undergrad, but the science side of it all is not for me (and I can't imagine taking a psych degree to the PhD). I have thought up, however, this nutty fantasy life in which I get PhD in English and then, if I really can't find an academic job, working a gig with flexible enough hours and doing a counseling MA of some kind as a part-time student. I've always found it interesting how grad students usually have several fields/industries they've considered but, for various reasons, English became The One - it's especially cool when people can incorporate those other loves into literary work. @FreakyFoucault - do you incorporate law or music into your scholarship? (Feel free to not answer, since my Q is really bringing us back around to what we do, haha).
FreakyFoucault Posted January 7, 2018 Author Posted January 7, 2018 Those are some really compelling second choices, @a_sort_of_fractious_angel! It sounds like you'll make a great TA or adviser someday! I have this irrational image in my head, perhaps from my experimental-psychologist aunt, that all psych PhDs do is recruit poor, starving undergrads for their creepy Stanford-prison-experiment-esque projects. It's probably not true, but still, yikes! Not for me either... I have, in the past, incorporated some legal elements in my research, particularly property and marriage law in the Victorian era. But nothing too fancy. If anything, taking law classes helped me understand how to do three things: 1) ask a question; 2) understand an argument; and 3) build off previous arguments (i.e. precedents). Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to intersect literature with music, but I know of some scholars who do. Maybe an avenue to take up in grad school (knocks on wood)! a_sort_of_fractious_angel 1
hats Posted January 8, 2018 Posted January 8, 2018 If you don't mind me banging in here, English was my second choice. It never really coalesced into a viable avenue for graduate school for me, but I have imagined plausible scholarly tracks based on the English Renaissance or Afrofuturism. For the former, I really like Milton. I was especially interested in Orientalism and (maritime) trade in his works. That's well-trodden ground, of course; my inclination would have been to expand the project through comparison with some of his contemporaries (TBD). As a long-time fantasy and science-fiction reader, I have felt like there has (finally) been another upswing in Black speculative fiction authors recently, especially women, but the extent of the intellectual development for that idea is "NK Jemisin and Nnedi Okorafor are just, like, so good!" How to relate that to the first wave of Afrofuturism, or whether 'Afrofuturism' is even an appropriate category for all the books I'm thinking of (I would guess no), also got a big fat TBD. I only wish I had as much energy for follow-through on my current project as I do for coming up with new ones! M(allthevowels)H, FreakyFoucault and a_sort_of_fractious_angel 3
a_sort_of_fractious_angel Posted January 8, 2018 Posted January 8, 2018 23 minutes ago, hats said: If you don't mind me banging in here, English was my second choice. It never really coalesced into a viable avenue for graduate school for me, but I have imagined plausible scholarly tracks based on the English Renaissance or Afrofuturism. For the former, I really like Milton. I was especially interested in Orientalism and (maritime) trade in his works. That's well-trodden ground, of course; my inclination would have been to expand the project through comparison with some of his contemporaries (TBD). As a long-time fantasy and science-fiction reader, I have felt like there has (finally) been another upswing in Black speculative fiction authors recently, especially women, but the extent of the intellectual development for that idea is "NK Jemisin and Nnedi Okorafor are just, like, so good!" How to relate that to the first wave of Afrofuturism, or whether 'Afrofuturism' is even an appropriate category for all the books I'm thinking of (I would guess no), also got a big fat TBD. I only wish I had as much energy for follow-through on my current project as I do for coming up with new ones! Hello and welcome! I TA'd an anthro class as a grad student - it was an intro course for undergrads thinking about the major - and I really liked it not only because it was this brand new, exciting area but the professor employed several theorists who made the rounds in my grad literary seminar - lot of interesting connections between the fields. And you're spot-on with the latest upswing in spec fic - I spent a portion of my MA degree looking at diasporic spec. fic. coming out of the the Caribbean. I totally agree - Jemisin and Okorafor are fantastic. hats 1
hats Posted January 8, 2018 Posted January 8, 2018 10 minutes ago, a_sort_of_fractious_angel said: I spent a portion of my MA degree looking at diasporic spec. fic. coming out of the the Caribbean. I totally agree - Jemisin and Okorafor are fantastic. Oh neat! I'm always looking for more recommendations...;) I make it a point to read speculative fiction from all people of color, on the premise that it is about The Future (or, alternatively, People), and both of those things are mostly made up of people of color, so it would be awfully nice to reflect that reality in fiction, too. To some degree this extends to writing by/about people with disabilities as well (although it's harder to find authors disclosing that) and queer fiction (which has the challenge that I prefer the romance part to max out at 20% of the story, and I feel like novels on 'queer fantasy' lists or whatever tend towards being 'romance in a fantasy setting.') The best book I've read lately is Raven Strategem by Yoon Ha Lee; the first ten or twenty pages are a steep, steep uphill climb in terms of world-building but it so pays off! It is so good! I don't know anything about the author's identities beyond being Korean, but the story is a queer one and there's some disability stuff I can't tell you about that is downright stellar. (Unfortunately, I found the sequel kind of takes some of the awesomeness back; it's a mystery-box novel where anyone who read Raven Strategem knows what's inside the mystery box the whole time. It was well done, I guess, but profoundly frustrating.) I don't really have any friends right now who like to read speculative fiction, so I have all these bottled up opinions! I will not just download my thoughts on everything I've read in the last two years here, though, as a good forum participant ;). My roommate is reading Annihilation right now, though, so that's something! a_sort_of_fractious_angel 1
a_sort_of_fractious_angel Posted January 8, 2018 Posted January 8, 2018 55 minutes ago, hats said: Oh neat! I'm always looking for more recommendations...;) I make it a point to read speculative fiction from all people of color, on the premise that it is about The Future (or, alternatively, People), and both of those things are mostly made up of people of color, so it would be awfully nice to reflect that reality in fiction, too. To some degree this extends to writing by/about people with disabilities as well (although it's harder to find authors disclosing that) and queer fiction (which has the challenge that I prefer the romance part to max out at 20% of the story, and I feel like novels on 'queer fantasy' lists or whatever tend towards being 'romance in a fantasy setting.') The best book I've read lately is Raven Strategem by Yoon Ha Lee; the first ten or twenty pages are a steep, steep uphill climb in terms of world-building but it so pays off! It is so good! I don't know anything about the author's identities beyond being Korean, but the story is a queer one and there's some disability stuff I can't tell you about that is downright stellar. (Unfortunately, I found the sequel kind of takes some of the awesomeness back; it's a mystery-box novel where anyone who read Raven Strategem knows what's inside the mystery box the whole time. It was well done, I guess, but profoundly frustrating.) I don't really have any friends right now who like to read speculative fiction, so I have all these bottled up opinions! I will not just download my thoughts on everything I've read in the last two years here, though, as a good forum participant ;). My roommate is reading Annihilation right now, though, so that's something! Hey! Awesome! I'm not familiar with Yoon Ha Lee, but I'll look the novel up - it sounds fantastic! The author I worked on (and who I highly recommend) is Nalo Hopkinson; she has several novels and collections of stories. Midnight Robber juxtaposes Caribbean myth figures and dimensional space travel and there's a racialized computer network - it's awesome. 11/10 recommend. hats 1
frenchlover Posted January 8, 2018 Posted January 8, 2018 I've gotten tons of feedback from graduate students in their 6th/7th years, warning me about the job market, even for the brightest of students in the best programs. They suggested that I get a PhD in a social science where I could explore French/literary topics but find myself with a job once I graduate, even if it isn't in academia. I have fond memories of studying sociology--definitely the field of my academic awakening--so I'm not opposed to it. If I don't get into my PhD programs this year (or even my more realistic master's programs in French with funding), I will probably go this route, taking the hint that I'm not good enough to get a PhD in French, or whatever. So yeah, I will probably get a master's in sociology in France or another European country, and then possibly reapply to American PhD programs in sociology. Doesn't have to be the best program--the whole point of being a sociologist rather than a literary theorist is to be employable elsewhere if I don't find the elusive tenure-track job. I have experience with quantitative work, so hopefully I can go into the this part of the field. My interests are in contemporary Francophone literature, and in topics in migration and diaspora, so I could fit in neatly in a sociology (or maybe anthro) department. The disciplinary lens would be different, but in this day of interdisciplinary inquiry, I am excited about the possibilities.
FreakyFoucault Posted January 8, 2018 Author Posted January 8, 2018 8 minutes ago, frenchlover said: I will probably get a master's in sociology in France Foucault approves! mk-8 1
frenchlover Posted January 8, 2018 Posted January 8, 2018 Unrelated, but in the bathrooms of my undergraduate college, I quite often encounter the graffiti, "Foucault was a bottom!" lol
FreakyFoucault Posted January 8, 2018 Author Posted January 8, 2018 @frenchlover, hahaha that's fantastic. Did you do your undergrad in France?
FreakyFoucault Posted January 8, 2018 Author Posted January 8, 2018 Gotcha! Well, for what it's worth, my sister recently finished what can sort of be construed as a masters in music performance in Paris, and she absolutely loved it. Of course, how could one not, but she's all about that France life right now.
jelris Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 I was actually an undergraduate major in media and cultural studies and am finishing an MA in philosophy so my application list has been all over the place departmentally due to my interdisciplinary interests but have done my best to find departments that are good fits regardless of their disciplinary affiliation. I have applied to one English program, one Literature program, one Media Studies program, five Comparative Literature programs, and six Philosophy programs.
ashley623 Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) I actually went to college as a back up plan; I wanted to pursue horses professionally and have worked for trainers on circuits that compete around the country, and my mom (and former trainer, actually) encouraged me to get a degree first. Over the course of my undergrad, I have still stayed quite actively involved with horses (I own my own horse and compete) and it's still a big part of my life, but the huge rise of drug issues in the world of show horses extremely turned me off from the idea of working long-term in the equine industry. I ended up loving being an English major and writer, and definitely wouldn't do horses professionally now. I'm definitely glad it turned out this way. There's not always money in writing, but there's even less in horses. Edited January 10, 2018 by katie64 a_sort_of_fractious_angel and hats 2
a_sort_of_fractious_angel Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 8 minutes ago, katie64 said: I actually went to college as a back up plan; I wanted to pursue horses professionally and have worked for trainers on circuits that compete around the country, and my mom (and former trainer, actually) encouraged me to get a degree first. Over the course of my undergrad, I have still stayed quite actively involved with horses (I own my own horse and compete) and it's still a big part of my life, but the huge rise of drug issues in the world of show horses extremely turned me off from the idea of working long-term in the equine industry. I ended up loving being an English major and writer, and definitely wouldn't do horses professionally now. I'm definitely glad it turned out this way. There's not always money in writing, but there's even less in horses. HELLO FELLOW HORSE PERSON - I AM ONE TOO! mk-8 1
ashley623 Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, a_sort_of_fractious_angel said: HELLO FELLOW HORSE PERSON - I AM ONE TOO! WHAT?! How did we not discuss this during our writing sample exchange?!?! A ton of horse friends I had sold their horses before college, and now I feel like a freakish anomaly wanting to take mine to grad school.
a_sort_of_fractious_angel Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 10 minutes ago, katie64 said: WHAT?! How did we not discuss this during our writing sample exchange?!?! A ton of horse friends I had sold their horses before college, and now I feel like a freakish anomaly wanting to take mine to grad school. I don't know! What an oversight! Haha! And omg, that happened to me as well. Nutty. And do! Mine are part of the reason I'm applying to all PA schools/schools within a 5 hour driving distance of Philly (aside from UMich, because, UMich). Why? Because I did not bring mine to my MA program location and subsequently didn't ride for 2 years. I did, however, hit a total mental wall and became extremely burnt out/broke down halfway through the program. Are these two things related? I would not say "no," haha. So, yes - bring the horses! And, to all on this thread - make sure to do The Things You Enjoy while in a program. Make time for that stuff - it'll keep you balanced and help you be a better scholar. mk-8 1
mk-8 Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 48 minutes ago, katie64 said: WHAT?! How did we not discuss this during our writing sample exchange?!?! A ton of horse friends I had sold their horses before college, and now I feel like a freakish anomaly wanting to take mine to grad school. One of my cohort-mates brought her horse with her to grad school (from literally across the country), and we all thought it was super cool. So don't worry about it! ashley623 1
ashley623 Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 @a_sort_of_fractious_angel I keep hoping I'll get some amazing offer from an MA program that would give me enough $$$ for both housing and being able to bring my horse. The finances are definitely the difficult part, as I've been living at home through undergrad and commuting so that I would be able to afford my horse's board. Do you have any tips with juggling these two huge expenses? PM me if you want. @mk-8 I'm glad there are some of us horse people our there in grad school. Every school I'm applying to is out-of-state, so I'm hoping it's somewhat doable. I've had my horse since high school and definitely want to bring him with!
FreakyFoucault Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 18 minutes ago, katie64 said: I keep hoping I'll get some amazing offer from an MA program that would give me enough $$$ for both housing and being able to bring my horse. Mad props would be in order if you saved by commuting to class via horse ashley623 1
ashley623 Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) 45 minutes ago, FreakyFoucault said: Mad props would be in order if you saved by commuting to class via horse Sadly, my horse and his expenses FAR outweigh that of my car. Edited January 10, 2018 by katie64 FreakyFoucault 1
FreakyFoucault Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 Ahhhh too bad. I’d much rather trot to Research Methods 399 on a Clydesdale than in my lousy Cobalt... ashley623 1
TeaOverCoffee Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 I minored in studio art in my undergrad, so probably something with ceramics and wheel throwing. Alternatively, admissions and administration are more stable jobs and something that I could enjoy outside of the arts.
FreakyFoucault Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 5 minutes ago, TeaOverCoffee said: I minored in studio art in my undergrad, so probably something with ceramics and wheel throwing. That’s awesome! I was the kid whose clay sculptures always exploded in the kiln in middle school art class. The phrase “Oh, honey” was often directed at me lol What kind of stuff did/do you make?
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