[Air-L] Air-L Digest, Vol 74, Issue 35

[mama.nin at gmail.com]

I'll third that sage advice. I'm completing my PhD in an interdisciplinary department in a research university. There are quite a few already, with more joining the ranks all the time. I feel well trained in methods and theory in communication, sociology, and anthropology- but my focus is on 'new media' (Internet) studies, which is well supported in my department. 

My particular program is Communication, Culture & Media at Drexel University in Philadelphia. I can't recommend an interdisciplinary program enough. I feel well trained to teach in a number of fields in the social sciences. 

Best wishes in your search for the right program-

Nora Madison


Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I will meet you there ~Rumi

On Sep 29, 2010, at 6:35 PM, Matthew Bernius <mbernius at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Sep 29, 2010 at 6:00 PM, <Barry Wellman> wrote:
> 
>> I would suggest that you get your PhD in a longer-established
>> discipline, such as Communications, Information, Sociology, Comp Sci, etc.
>> -- with a concentation on the Internet as well as at least one other field
>> within that discipline.
>> 
>> That would improve your ability to get anchored in a discipline, received
>> more methodological and theoretical training, and get hired afterwards and
>> get grants to do the kind of research you'd like to.
>> 
>> Of course, there are good people and courses wtihin internet studies, but
>> I am thinking in probability terms.
>> 
> 
> I would like to second (or more likely fifth or sixth by the time this
> reaches the list) Barry's suggestion. Though my particular project has a
> strong intersection with internet and media studies issues, I chose to
> explore it via the discipline of Anthropology. While it can be difficult
> going at times, especially as aspects of the project don't sit comfortably
> within the traditionally drawn boundaries of the discipline, the advantages
> far outweigh the challenges.
> 
> In terms of outcomes, I frankly don't expect that I'll work within an
> Anthropology department. But having the disciplinary training leaves that
> possibility open (as well as working in a number of other humanities/social
> sciences and digital humanities areas).
> 
> The critical thing, should you choose to go down this path, is to do the
> due diligence. Be sure to thoroughly discuss your project with multiple
> faculty members at every department you apply to and get their opinions
> about how well it integrates with the current program (including the classes
> currently offered) and what you'll be expected to produce to graduate.
> 
> - Matt
> 
> -----------------------------
> Matthew Bernius
> PhD Student | Cultural Anthropology | Cornell University |
> http://www.arts.cornell.edu/anthro/
> Researcher At Large | Open Publishing Lab @ the Rochester Institute of
> Technology | http://opl.cias.rit.edu | @ritopl
> mBernius at gMail.com | http://www.waking-dream.com | @mattBernius
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