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[pcunningham080574]

I have been considering Ph.D. programs in American studies, as well [my BA and MA is in English].  However, I cannot discern which programs are most esteemed.  The three programs to which I have chosen to apply thus far--Brown, Washington State, and Bowling Green--were chosen mostly because of faculty members whom I believe would be most helpful in my research goals and/or because the programs had concentrations in areas in which I was interested.  However, I also, of course, want to make sure that, should I be accepted to a program, the program is also of some caliber.  Does anyone know which American studies programs are most respected?  Are there any new programs on the horizon of which I should be aware? 

All responses welcomed.  Thanks!

[winnie]

Have you checked into the job prospects for American Studies PhDs?

There are almost none, at least for tenure-track jobs.

Last year Notre Dame had a t-t position in American Studies and got 750 applicants.

That's not uncommon.

P. S. Be sure to use grammar correctly when you're writing in the academic world. Your sentence should read, "My BA and MA ARE in English."

I have been considering Ph.D. programs in American studies, as well [my BA and MA is in English]. 

[pcunningham080574]

Pardon the typo, Winnie.  I had changed the structure of the sentence and forgot to correct the subject-verb agreement issue by changing is to are.

Yes, I am quite aware of the limited job prospects in American studies.  That is not fully my concern, per se, as I am really interested in a career that evenly balances teaching with writing.

So, with that being said, can you answer any of my questions?  :)

[winnie]

What do you envision as a job that will balance balancing teaching and writing?

If you want to teach full-time at any college or university, you need to get on a tenure track. If you want to teach part-time as an adjunct, that means many courses at a low level and a max of $2500 or so per course.

If you're independently wealthy, of course, none of this matters, and neither does a degree.

[pcunningham080574]

I am currently a tenured professor at a community college.  However, I would like to gain enough cache so as to be published in some of the upper tier journals, some of which, unfortunately, frown upon those of us with MA's only.  Furthermore, I do want to learn more for my own personal edification.  Being in an academic environment has always been fulfilling and challenging, and I would like to be in that environment again.  I am relatively young (32) and not yet ready to concede that this is the peak of my career; however, with my current education and experience, I have a bit of a glass ceiling.  And while I am not a rich man by any means, I am always willing to work a series of part-time gigs until a full-time one arrives, which I realize may be the case if I pursue an American studies degree.  Why I would even be willing to return to a community college, for I actually rather enjoy teaching at CCs.

So, with that being said once again, can you answer any of my questions? :)

[seniorscholar]

On the "publication in upper-tier journals question" -- almost all journals have "blind" evaluations -- the reader doesn't know who the article's author is, and the editor or editorial assistant who sends articles out for review has no way of knowing what kind of degree (if any) the author has (unless you say in your cover letter "although I'm only a CC instructor with a Master's degree, I would appreciate" which is, of course, a supremely dumb move). The editor/editor's assistant does look to see if the article is on the subjects, and in the format, that the journal is interested in, and checks to see if it is reasonably intelligent, before deciding whether to send it out to readers or to reject without bothering any of the scholars who read for the journal.

So if you're looking for the cachet (if that's what you mean by "cashe") to publish in good journals, work on the quality of the articles rather than thinking the name of the doctoral program will do it for you. Of course a good doctoral program will teach you about the research skills and current theoretical/critical questions that are important to the field -- but you could surely improve your own writing a lot by consistently reading the articles in the journals to which you aspire, looking up the works most often cited by those authors, and practicing.

[pcunningham080574]

With all due respect, you are arguing to a straw man here.  And, with all due respect, I would really like someone to answer the original questions and not critique me on typos or grammar (I am multi-tasking and working on a smaller laptop than usual, so forgive me) or my rationale for graduate study.

So, for the third and final time, can someone please just answer the questions? 

[grad_geek]

Dear OP:

I'm sorry to see you are not getting the answers you want, but it is possible that no one on the forum actually knows the answer to your specific question.  Are there any professional organizations you can join or conferences you can attend that will get you in touch with people who are currently in American Studies?  It seems like the information you are seeking might be easier to find if you actually network with people in the field.

Good luck.

[jds2006]

OP: Bowling Green is still the flagship for many American Studies programs. As the Brownes (who have headed up its program) go further into retirement, there will be changes that will further enhance its rep (sorry, but I think that the program is still too much a cult of Browne). I assume that you have gone to PSA and ASA meetings and have some sense of the shift.

[jds2006]

I meant, of course, PCA and ACA meetings, but got back too late to modify.

[pcunningham080574]

grad greek:

There are several sites, including the American Studies Association, in regards to American studies.  Unfortunately, unlike other fields, there does not appear to be a clear hierarchy in terms of program strength, and thus far, I have been unable to find any site that does rank programs.  Perhaps that's indicative of something--of what, however, I'm not quite sure.

jds:

Thanks for the reply.  Bowling Green's strength in popular culture (in which I am most interested) has placed it top on my list.  I will most certainly look into the Browne family to which you have referenced, as I have not heard nearly as much as you seem to be indicating I should have heard.

Anything else that you would care to add?

[selina]

Offhand, I've heard good things about the program at Minnesota and the USC program (American Studies and Ethnicity), and they'd probably both be good places for your interest in popular culture.

[jds2006]

FYI: Ray Browne "founded" Popular Culture Studies in the USA. He has since made Bowling Green a bigtime player in the field, but has also colonized more of the field than makes it comfortable for younger scholars I know.

But he's loosening his grip.

[pcunningham080574]

Selina:

Thank you for the response.  I am quite aware of USC's program in American studies and ethnicity.  I actually applied there last year and was rejected.  I am also aware of Minnesota's program, as well, and it does look quite interesting.

The fact is I know which schools have programs in American studies; what I do not know is how strong those programs are considered in academic circles.  Each program certainly has its visible strengths and weaknesses that are easily discernible by reading through its literature and such.  And, as is to be expected, each program boasts of its strengths.  I am just curious to how those programs are seen by others.

Everyone:

Don't get me wrong. I am not hedging my bets on a program based off of its reputation, per se.  In the end, I will choose a program that has the faculty whom I feel would benefit me most and meets the other requirements I have.  Nonetheless, I don't want to go to Podunk State University if, in general, academia finds ol' PSU's program to be lackluster.

[pcunningham080574]

I read Browne's book on Indian detective fiction a few years go, and the jacket, of course, pretty much heralded him as the founder of popular culture studies.  I did not know if that was just a lofty claim.  Apparently, it was not! 

Thanks for the information.  I appreciate it.

FYI: Ray Browne "founded" Popular Culture Studies in the USA. He has since made Bowling Green a bigtime player in the field, but has also colonized more of the field than makes it comfortable for younger scholars I know.

But he's loosening his grip.