next »

[neala]

I am starting to prepare to apply for graduate school this coming fall and am at a crossroads as to what kind of graduate programs I should apply to as several would be amenable to my interests.

I probably should give some background to myself. I used to major in microbiology and so half my transcript is filled with courses like organic chemistry, molecular biology, etc. My interests shifted though after I was disillusioned with the medical field and moved on to cultural anthropology. So the second half of my transcript is filled with courses on anthropology (as well as Asian studies, Japanese, sociology, religion, and American studies). My honors thesis is going to be on the reception of genetically engineered food in Japan.

My intended graduate thesis would be a continuation of this study (though I would like to include a sort of cross-cultural comparison of Japan with the US as the US produces a lot of the GM food that Japan consumes). i think this thesis could be completed within the context of several different fields - anthropology, American studies, or cultural studies. I wonder if anyone has any opinion on which field would be better to get a PhD in for the sake of career options after graduate school. I personally have heard and read that it is better to get a degree in a disciplinary field (e.g. anthropology) as opposed to an interdisciplinary one (e.g. cultural studies).

Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you!

[waterbaby]

Hi, I'll give a go at this one.  You're where I was a year ago, when I was deciding to apply for PhDs.  I have a master's in Asian Studies, which is an interdisciplinary field.  I have applied for PhDs in both political science and another interdisciplinary field, so your question is one I have also pondered.

You don't say whether you will apply for a master's or a PhD.  My thoughts are that at the master's level it is not very important.  However, of the three areas you mention, I would do anthropology or American studies, unless you plan to make a go for it in the academic world.  My master's thesis was strongly rooted in the methodologies/theories of cultural studies, but believe me, and Asian Studies degree was a heck of a lot useful in the "real world" than a cultural studies one would have been.

At a PhD level, I've heard that if you want to continue on in the academic world, it is better to have a "disciplinary" degree, which qualifies you to work in both the discipline and interdisciplinary departments.  The same is not necessarily true of an interdisciplinary degree - many remain suspicious of studies not firmly rooted in the methodologies of one discipline.  I've heard this many times over.  However, I've also heard that in the end it's the quality of the work you do and how you market yourself.... 

I am strongly leaning toward a disciplinary PhD, myself, as I think I am aiming toward an academic life.  However, any work I do will have an interdisciplinary flavor - it's just the way I think, and my background, like yours, is varied and full of many different influences from humanities, social science, and policy.

Good luck!