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@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@gMail.com | http://www.waking-dream.com | @mattBernius _______________________________________________ The Air-L@listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org
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